United States Solar Economics

Navigate post-tax-credit solar economics, compare NEM 3.0 policies, and calculate your exact rooftop solar ROI based on state-level utility rates.

Calculate US ROI View State Policies
Suburban American home with rooftop solar panels
Suburban American home with rooftop solar panels

๐Ÿงฎ Federal Solar Calculator

Estimate your true 2026 net solar cost and lifetime savings based on average national electricity tariffs.

$150
$50 $800+

System Recommendation

You consume roughly 900 kWh/month.

Recommended System Size: 7 kW

Gross System Cost $21,000
Federal tax credit (ended 2025) $0
Net Cost $21,000
Yr 1 Savings $1,800
Est. Payback 7.5 Yrs

State-Level Policies & Net Metering

The ROI of solar drastically shifts across state lines. Explore our authoritative deep-dives into local Net Energy Metering (NEM) laws and tax exemptions.

Diagnostic Guide

Why Is My Bill High With Solar?

Learn how Non-Bypassable Charges, TOU peak mismatches, and wholesale Net Surplus Compensation cause unexpected True-Up bills.

Audit True-Up Bill โ†’

Selling a House With Solar

Transferring solar leases and PPAs, clearing UCC-1 title liens, and maximizing Fannie Mae green appraisal equity.

Read Real Estate Guide โ†’

Removal & Reinstall Cost (R&R)

$200โ€“$350 per panel cost breakdown for roof replacement, roofer coordination, and warranty protection rules.

Read R&R Cost Guide โ†’

Bird & Critter Guards Guide

How to protect solar arrays from pigeon nesting, squirrel chewed wires, and arc fault inverter shutdowns.

Read Critter Guard Guide โ†’

Inverter Troubleshooting & Cost

Decoding red/amber LED fault lights, Ground Isolation error diagnostics, and $1,800โ€“$3,500 replacement costs.

Read Inverter Guide โ†’
National Rankings

Best US Solar Companies (2026)

Tesla vs Sunrun vs Freedom Solar: pricing, 25-year comprehensive warranties, and direct ownership vs lease analysis.

View National Rankings โ†’

California Solar Companies

Vetted CSLB-licensed installers specializing in NEM 3.0 battery storage and TOU tariff arbitrage in PG&E, SCE & SDG&E territories.

View CA Installers โ†’

Texas Solar Companies

Top ERCOT-vetted contractors experienced in TDSP interconnection (Oncor, CenterPoint) and solar buyback plan optimization.

View TX Installers โ†’

Florida Solar Companies

Contractors certified in 160+ mph hurricane wind racking, tile roof waterproofing, and FPL/Duke Tier interconnection rules.

View FL Installers โ†’
Interactive Tool

Solar Loan & EMI Calculator

Model monthly payments, interest rates (APR), and loan re-amortization scenarios for 2026.

Launch Loan Tool โ†’
Interactive Tool

Battery Runtime Calculator

Toggle household appliances (AC, fridge, lights, medical CPAP) to calculate real-time blackout duration.

Launch Runtime Tool โ†’
Interactive Matrix

25-State Solar Matrix

Interactive tool comparing net metering laws, average utility tariffs (ยข/kWh), state tax abatements, and payback years across all 25 states.

Launch Interactive Tool โ†’

New York NY-Sun & Tax Credits

How NY-Sun Megawatt block rebates and the 25% NY state tax credit (up to $5,000) slash solar payback down to 5.6 years.

Read State Guide โ†’

New Jersey SuSI SREC-II

Earn $85/MWh in guaranteed 15-year state incentive payments, 100% property tax exemption, and 0% state sales tax.

Read State Guide โ†’

Arizona Solar Incentives

APS and SRP Resource Comparison Proxy export rates, $1,000 AZ state tax credit, and extreme summer TOU battery storage ROI.

Read State Guide โ†’

Massachusetts SMART Program

Utility incentive payments, Mass Save 0% HEAT loans, and 15% state tax credits offsetting 28ยข/kWh electric rates.

Read State Guide โ†’
New 2026 Guide

Illinois Solar Incentives

Illinois Shines SRECs near $70-$80/MWh on 15-year contracts, half paid at install, and new export credit rules.

Read Guide →
New 2026 Guide

Connecticut Solar Incentives

30.5c/kWh rates, RRES Netting and Buy-All tariffs, 100% tax exemptions, and battery rebates up to $200/kWh.

Read Guide →
New 2026 Guide

Maryland Solar Incentives

SRECs at $30-$80/MWh with a 1.5x multiplier, full retail net metering ending for new systems July 2027.

Read Guide →
New 2026 Guide

New Mexico Solar Incentives

10% refundable state tax credit up to $6,000, net metering to 10 kW, and 280+ sunny days a year.

Read Guide →
New 2026 Guide

North Carolina Solar Incentives

Duke PowerPair pays up to $9,000 for solar plus battery, but ends December 2026 with almost no capacity left.

Read Guide →
New 2026 Guide

Colorado Solar Incentives

Xcel Solar*Rewards up to $3/W, 10% battery tax credit, 1:1 net metering, and full tax exemptions.

Read Guide →
New 2026 Guide

Oregon Solar Incentives

Energy Trust pays $3,500 per home, income-qualified rebates to $7,500, and 1:1 net metering with no end date.

Read Guide →
New 2026 Guide

Nevada Solar Incentives

No state rebates, but Tier 4 net metering locks 75% retail export rates for 20 years. The honest Nevada guide.

Read Guide →
New 2026 Guide

South Carolina Solar Incentives

25% state tax credit up to $3,500 a year with 10-year carryforward and no repeal date.

Read Guide →
New 2026 Guide

Pennsylvania Solar Incentives

SRECs near $33/MWh, $500 PECO rebate through 2031, and 1:1 net metering to 50 kW.

Read Guide →
Money Guide

Solar Lease vs Buy 2026

The 30% credit ended for buyers but survives in leases. True costs, SRECs, savings, and home-sale impact compared.

Read Guide →
Money Guide

48E Commercial Credit 2026

Who qualifies, the July 2026 construction deadline, pass-through rules, and what businesses should do now.

Read Guide →
Money Guide

States Where Solar Still Pays

SREC income, state tax credits, and net metering ranked. Where payback is under 8 years with no federal credit.

Read Guide →
Money Guide

Solar Panel Cost 2026

National benchmarks by system size, what drives price per watt, and how to spot an inflated quote.

Read Guide →
Money Guide

Solar Quote Red Flags

Ten warning signs of bad solar deals in 2026, from fake government programs to escalator traps.

Read Guide →

Solar Inverters Comparison

String inverters vs Enphase IQ8 microinverters vs SolarEdge DC optimizers: efficiency, shading performance, and warranties.

Read Hardware Guide โ†’

Best Home Batteries 2026

Tesla Powerwall 3 vs Enphase IQ 5P vs FranklinWH aPower: continuous power output, LFP safety, and whole-home backup.

Read Storage Guide โ†’

Tesla Solar Roof Cost

Detailed $/sq ft pricing analysis, roof replacement economics, tempered glass durability, and post-credit economics.

Read BIPV Guide โ†’

Panel Cleaning & Maintenance

How soiling causes 5-20% efficiency losses, safe DIY wash procedures, automated robotic cleaners, and maintenance schedules.

Read Maintenance Guide โ†’

What is Solar Power?

Learn exactly what solar power is, how the photovoltaic effect works, and why renewable energy is transforming the US grid.

Read Informational Guide โ†’

US Solar Panel Costs 2026

Discover the true cost of solar panels. Learn about price per watt, equipment tiers, and how the end of the federal ITC changes your final bill.

Read Commercial Guide โ†’

Are Solar Panels Worth It?

Find out if solar panels are worth the investment for your home. We analyze payback periods, electricity rates, and property value increases.

Read ROI Guide โ†’

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Understand the science behind rooftop solar. We explain how panels capture sunlight, convert it to electricity, and interact with the grid.

Read Educational Guide โ†’

Solar Panel Lifespan

What is the true lifespan of a solar panel? Learn about degradation rates, 25-year warranties, and the longevity of solar inverters.

Read Educational Guide โ†’

California NEM 3.0

Complete analysis of the April 2023 shift to the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) and why battery storage is now mandatory for Californian ROI.

Read Policy Guide โ†’

Texas Buyback Rates

Track real-time Retail Electric Provider (REP) solar buyback plans, Real-Time Wholesale (RTW) contracts, and ERCOT grid stability.

Read Policy Guide โ†’

Florida Tax Exemptions

How the Sunshine State provides complete Property Tax abatements and Sales Tax exemptions for solar hardware without state-level NEM.

Read Policy Guide โ†’

Federal Tax Credit (2026 Update)

What ended in 2025, what remains via Section 48E for leased systems, and Form 5695 for 2025 installs.

Read Policy Guide โ†’

Battery Hardware: Powerwall vs LG

Technical deep-dive comparing LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) vs NMC battery chemistries for hybrid home solar systems.

Read Policy Guide โ†’