{
  "title": "2026 U.S. Solar Payback & Cost by State",
  "description": "Estimated home-solar cost, payback period and 25-year savings for an average home (10800 kWh/yr, cash purchase, average shading), modeled for 2026 after the federal residential tax credit (Section 25D) expired for systems placed in service after 2025-12-31.",
  "source": "WorthCrunch — https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/",
  "asOf": "2026",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution to WorthCrunch (link back appreciated)",
  "assumptions": {
    "costPerWatt": 2.85,
    "derate": 0.83,
    "elecInflation": 0.03,
    "degradation": 0.005,
    "years": 25,
    "federalCreditCashLoan2026": 0
  },
  "states": [
    {
      "code": "AL",
      "name": "Alabama",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.155,
      "peakSunHours": 4.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.8,
      "grossCostUsd": 25087,
      "paybackYears": 12.9,
      "savings25yrUsd": 31982,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/alabama/"
    },
    {
      "code": "AK",
      "name": "Alaska",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.245,
      "peakSunHours": 3,
      "systemSizeKw": 13.2,
      "grossCostUsd": 37630,
      "paybackYears": 12.3,
      "savings25yrUsd": 52576,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/alaska/"
    },
    {
      "code": "AZ",
      "name": "Arizona",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.145,
      "peakSunHours": 6.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 6.1,
      "grossCostUsd": 17368,
      "paybackYears": 9.9,
      "savings25yrUsd": 36020,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/arizona/"
    },
    {
      "code": "AR",
      "name": "Arkansas",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.125,
      "peakSunHours": 4.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.8,
      "grossCostUsd": 25087,
      "paybackYears": 15.5,
      "savings25yrUsd": 20937,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/arkansas/"
    },
    {
      "code": "CA",
      "name": "California",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.31,
      "peakSunHours": 5.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 7.2,
      "grossCostUsd": 20525,
      "paybackYears": 5.8,
      "savings25yrUsd": 93613,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/california/"
    },
    {
      "code": "CO",
      "name": "Colorado",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.15,
      "peakSunHours": 5.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 7.2,
      "grossCostUsd": 20525,
      "paybackYears": 11.1,
      "savings25yrUsd": 34703,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/colorado/"
    },
    {
      "code": "CT",
      "name": "Connecticut",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.28,
      "peakSunHours": 4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 28222,
      "paybackYears": 8.5,
      "savings25yrUsd": 74870,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/connecticut/"
    },
    {
      "code": "DE",
      "name": "Delaware",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.165,
      "peakSunHours": 4.3,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.2,
      "grossCostUsd": 26253,
      "paybackYears": 12.7,
      "savings25yrUsd": 34498,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/delaware/"
    },
    {
      "code": "DC",
      "name": "Washington D.C.",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.16,
      "peakSunHours": 4.2,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 26879,
      "paybackYears": 13.3,
      "savings25yrUsd": 32032,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/washington-d-c/"
    },
    {
      "code": "FL",
      "name": "Florida",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.145,
      "peakSunHours": 5.3,
      "systemSizeKw": 7.5,
      "grossCostUsd": 21300,
      "paybackYears": 11.9,
      "savings25yrUsd": 32087,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/florida/"
    },
    {
      "code": "GA",
      "name": "Georgia",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.14,
      "peakSunHours": 4.8,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.3,
      "grossCostUsd": 23519,
      "paybackYears": 13.3,
      "savings25yrUsd": 28028,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/georgia/"
    },
    {
      "code": "HI",
      "name": "Hawaii",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.41,
      "peakSunHours": 5.8,
      "systemSizeKw": 6.8,
      "grossCostUsd": 19464,
      "paybackYears": 4.2,
      "savings25yrUsd": 131493,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/hawaii/"
    },
    {
      "code": "ID",
      "name": "Idaho",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.115,
      "peakSunHours": 4.7,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 24019,
      "paybackYears": 16,
      "savings25yrUsd": 18322,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/idaho/"
    },
    {
      "code": "IL",
      "name": "Illinois",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.16,
      "peakSunHours": 4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 28222,
      "paybackYears": 13.9,
      "savings25yrUsd": 30688,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/illinois/"
    },
    {
      "code": "IN",
      "name": "Indiana",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.15,
      "peakSunHours": 4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 28222,
      "paybackYears": 14.7,
      "savings25yrUsd": 27006,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/indiana/"
    },
    {
      "code": "IA",
      "name": "Iowa",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.135,
      "peakSunHours": 4.2,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 26879,
      "paybackYears": 15.4,
      "savings25yrUsd": 22827,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/iowa/"
    },
    {
      "code": "KS",
      "name": "Kansas",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.14,
      "peakSunHours": 5,
      "systemSizeKw": 7.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 22578,
      "paybackYears": 12.9,
      "savings25yrUsd": 28968,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/kansas/"
    },
    {
      "code": "KY",
      "name": "Kentucky",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.125,
      "peakSunHours": 4.2,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 26879,
      "paybackYears": 16.4,
      "savings25yrUsd": 19145,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/kentucky/"
    },
    {
      "code": "LA",
      "name": "Louisiana",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.12,
      "peakSunHours": 4.7,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 24019,
      "paybackYears": 15.4,
      "savings25yrUsd": 20163,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/louisiana/"
    },
    {
      "code": "ME",
      "name": "Maine",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.23,
      "peakSunHours": 4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 28222,
      "paybackYears": 10.1,
      "savings25yrUsd": 56461,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/maine/"
    },
    {
      "code": "MD",
      "name": "Maryland",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.175,
      "peakSunHours": 4.3,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.2,
      "grossCostUsd": 26253,
      "paybackYears": 12.1,
      "savings25yrUsd": 38179,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/maryland/"
    },
    {
      "code": "MA",
      "name": "Massachusetts",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.3,
      "peakSunHours": 4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 28222,
      "paybackYears": 8,
      "savings25yrUsd": 82234,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/massachusetts/"
    },
    {
      "code": "MI",
      "name": "Michigan",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.185,
      "peakSunHours": 3.8,
      "systemSizeKw": 10.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 29708,
      "paybackYears": 12.8,
      "savings25yrUsd": 38407,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/michigan/"
    },
    {
      "code": "MN",
      "name": "Minnesota",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.145,
      "peakSunHours": 4.2,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 26879,
      "paybackYears": 14.5,
      "savings25yrUsd": 26509,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/minnesota/"
    },
    {
      "code": "MS",
      "name": "Mississippi",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.13,
      "peakSunHours": 4.6,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.6,
      "grossCostUsd": 24541,
      "paybackYears": 14.7,
      "savings25yrUsd": 23323,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/mississippi/"
    },
    {
      "code": "MO",
      "name": "Missouri",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.12,
      "peakSunHours": 4.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.8,
      "grossCostUsd": 25087,
      "paybackYears": 16,
      "savings25yrUsd": 19096,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/missouri/"
    },
    {
      "code": "MT",
      "name": "Montana",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.125,
      "peakSunHours": 4.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.8,
      "grossCostUsd": 25087,
      "paybackYears": 15.5,
      "savings25yrUsd": 20937,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/montana/"
    },
    {
      "code": "NE",
      "name": "Nebraska",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.115,
      "peakSunHours": 4.7,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 24019,
      "paybackYears": 16,
      "savings25yrUsd": 18322,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/nebraska/"
    },
    {
      "code": "NV",
      "name": "Nevada",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.15,
      "peakSunHours": 6.3,
      "systemSizeKw": 6.3,
      "grossCostUsd": 17919,
      "paybackYears": 9.9,
      "savings25yrUsd": 37309,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/nevada/"
    },
    {
      "code": "NH",
      "name": "New Hampshire",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.23,
      "peakSunHours": 4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 28222,
      "paybackYears": 10.1,
      "savings25yrUsd": 56461,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/new-hampshire/"
    },
    {
      "code": "NJ",
      "name": "New Jersey",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.175,
      "peakSunHours": 4.2,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 26879,
      "paybackYears": 12.3,
      "savings25yrUsd": 37554,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/new-jersey/"
    },
    {
      "code": "NM",
      "name": "New Mexico",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.14,
      "peakSunHours": 6.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 6.1,
      "grossCostUsd": 17368,
      "paybackYears": 10.2,
      "savings25yrUsd": 34179,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/new-mexico/"
    },
    {
      "code": "NY",
      "name": "New York",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.23,
      "peakSunHours": 3.8,
      "systemSizeKw": 10.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 29708,
      "paybackYears": 10.6,
      "savings25yrUsd": 54975,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/new-york/"
    },
    {
      "code": "NC",
      "name": "North Carolina",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.135,
      "peakSunHours": 4.7,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.4,
      "grossCostUsd": 24019,
      "paybackYears": 14,
      "savings25yrUsd": 25686,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/north-carolina/"
    },
    {
      "code": "ND",
      "name": "North Dakota",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.11,
      "peakSunHours": 4.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.8,
      "grossCostUsd": 25087,
      "paybackYears": 17.2,
      "savings25yrUsd": 15414,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/north-dakota/"
    },
    {
      "code": "OH",
      "name": "Ohio",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.155,
      "peakSunHours": 3.9,
      "systemSizeKw": 10.2,
      "grossCostUsd": 28946,
      "paybackYears": 14.6,
      "savings25yrUsd": 28123,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/ohio/"
    },
    {
      "code": "OK",
      "name": "Oklahoma",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.12,
      "peakSunHours": 5.2,
      "systemSizeKw": 7.6,
      "grossCostUsd": 21710,
      "paybackYears": 14.2,
      "savings25yrUsd": 22473,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/oklahoma/"
    },
    {
      "code": "OR",
      "name": "Oregon",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.13,
      "peakSunHours": 4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 28222,
      "paybackYears": 16.5,
      "savings25yrUsd": 19642,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/oregon/"
    },
    {
      "code": "PA",
      "name": "Pennsylvania",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.17,
      "peakSunHours": 3.9,
      "systemSizeKw": 10.2,
      "grossCostUsd": 28946,
      "paybackYears": 13.5,
      "savings25yrUsd": 33646,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/pennsylvania/"
    },
    {
      "code": "RI",
      "name": "Rhode Island",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.28,
      "peakSunHours": 4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 28222,
      "paybackYears": 8.5,
      "savings25yrUsd": 74870,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/rhode-island/"
    },
    {
      "code": "SC",
      "name": "South Carolina",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.145,
      "peakSunHours": 4.8,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.3,
      "grossCostUsd": 23519,
      "paybackYears": 12.9,
      "savings25yrUsd": 29869,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/south-carolina/"
    },
    {
      "code": "SD",
      "name": "South Dakota",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.13,
      "peakSunHours": 4.6,
      "systemSizeKw": 8.6,
      "grossCostUsd": 24541,
      "paybackYears": 14.7,
      "savings25yrUsd": 23323,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/south-dakota/"
    },
    {
      "code": "TN",
      "name": "Tennessee",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.13,
      "peakSunHours": 4.4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9,
      "grossCostUsd": 25657,
      "paybackYears": 15.3,
      "savings25yrUsd": 22208,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/tennessee/"
    },
    {
      "code": "TX",
      "name": "Texas",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.15,
      "peakSunHours": 5.3,
      "systemSizeKw": 7.5,
      "grossCostUsd": 21300,
      "paybackYears": 11.5,
      "savings25yrUsd": 33928,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/texas/"
    },
    {
      "code": "UT",
      "name": "Utah",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.11,
      "peakSunHours": 5.3,
      "systemSizeKw": 7.5,
      "grossCostUsd": 21300,
      "paybackYears": 15,
      "savings25yrUsd": 19201,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/utah/"
    },
    {
      "code": "VT",
      "name": "Vermont",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.21,
      "peakSunHours": 3.9,
      "systemSizeKw": 10.2,
      "grossCostUsd": 28946,
      "paybackYears": 11.2,
      "savings25yrUsd": 48373,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/vermont/"
    },
    {
      "code": "VA",
      "name": "Virginia",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.145,
      "peakSunHours": 4.4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9,
      "grossCostUsd": 25657,
      "paybackYears": 13.9,
      "savings25yrUsd": 27730,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/virginia/"
    },
    {
      "code": "WA",
      "name": "Washington",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.11,
      "peakSunHours": 3.5,
      "systemSizeKw": 11.3,
      "grossCostUsd": 32254,
      "paybackYears": 21,
      "savings25yrUsd": 8246,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/washington/"
    },
    {
      "code": "WV",
      "name": "West Virginia",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.14,
      "peakSunHours": 3.9,
      "systemSizeKw": 10.2,
      "grossCostUsd": 28946,
      "paybackYears": 15.9,
      "savings25yrUsd": 22600,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/west-virginia/"
    },
    {
      "code": "WI",
      "name": "Wisconsin",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.165,
      "peakSunHours": 4,
      "systemSizeKw": 9.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 28222,
      "paybackYears": 13.5,
      "savings25yrUsd": 32529,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/wisconsin/"
    },
    {
      "code": "WY",
      "name": "Wyoming",
      "electricityRateUsdPerKwh": 0.125,
      "peakSunHours": 5,
      "systemSizeKw": 7.9,
      "grossCostUsd": 22578,
      "paybackYears": 14.2,
      "savings25yrUsd": 23446,
      "url": "https://worthcrunchhq.github.io/solar/wyoming/"
    }
  ]
}