Is solar worth it in 2026?
Short answer: in many states, yes. But it depends on where you live.
The average US home electricity rate is now about 19.3¢ per kWh — up about 36% since 2015. Every kWh your panels produce replaces one you'd otherwise buy, so the higher your rate, the faster solar pays off.
Using a typical 6 kW system at $3.00 per watt (before tax credits), 4 states currently pay back in under 8 years. In states with cheap power, payback can take 15 years or more.
Three things matter most: your local electricity rate, how much sun your area gets, and how your utility credits the power you send back to the grid (net metering). Your roof's condition and shading matter too.
Fastest payback right now
- 1. Hawaii3.9 yrs · Strongly recommended
- 2. California5.4 yrs · Strongly recommended
- 3. Maine7.2 yrs · Strongly recommended
- 4. Massachusetts7.4 yrs · Strongly recommended
- 5. Rhode Island8.0 yrs · Worth considering
See all state rankings → · Find your state on the map →
And if prices keep rising?
Our payback numbers use today's rates. If electricity keeps getting more expensive, solar pays off sooner. See how rising prices change the math →
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Estimates only. Actual results depend on your home, installer and local rules. Data: EIA and NREL PVWatts.