ANNUAL SOLAR ECONOMICS ESTIMATOR
Solar Savings
by State.
Enter your electric bill and state to estimate a residential solar system's annual savings, payback period, and 20‑year return — then see exactly where your state ranks against all 50.
Your household
Uses your state's average solar irradiance and residential electricity rate to size a system offsetting roughly 90% of your usage.
Estimated results — —
Where your state ranks
Annual savings for a standard 6 kW system in every state, ranked highest to lowest. your state all others
Methodology. Figures are illustrative estimates, not quotes. Production is modeled from each state's average peak sun hours and a standard 80% system performance ratio. Rates are approximate statewide residential averages and installation costs assume $2.80/W before incentives. Actual savings depend on your utility's rate structure, net-metering policy, roof orientation, and installer pricing — get quotes from local installers for a firm number.
Solar Savings Calculator by State
Solar panel savings depend on more than just how sunny your roof is — they’re shaped by two things at once: how much sun your state actually gets and how much you’re currently paying for electricity. A homeowner in a moderately sunny state with expensive power can save more than someone in a sun-drenched state with cheap electricity. That’s the gap most generic solar calculators miss, and it’s exactly what this tool is built to solve.
The Solar Savings Calculator by State gives you a fast, personalized estimate of what a residential solar system would actually save you, based on where you live. Instead of asking for your exact address or requiring a call from a sales rep, it uses your state’s average peak sun hours and average residential electricity rate — combined with your monthly electric bill — to model a system sized specifically for your household.
How the calculator works
Start by selecting your state and entering your average monthly electric bill. From there, the calculator estimates your annual electricity usage and sizes a solar system to offset roughly 90% of it, accounting for a realistic 80% system performance ratio that reflects real-world losses from inverters, wiring, and panel soiling. You can also adjust for roof sun exposure — full sun, partial shade, or heavy shade — since shading has a direct impact on how much a system can realistically produce.
The results include your estimated system size in kilowatts, projected annual savings, and a payback period that factors in the 30% federal solar tax credit. You’ll also see a 20-year net savings projection, giving you a longer-term view of what solar ownership could mean for your household budget beyond the initial payback window.
See exactly where your state ranks
What sets this calculator apart is its 50-state comparison chart. Rather than just showing your own numbers in isolation, it ranks every U.S. state by the estimated annual savings of a standard 6 kW solar system, then highlights your state against the rest of the country. This makes it easy to answer a question most solar tools never address: is my state actually a strong candidate for solar, or is it below average?
States with high electricity rates — like Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, and Connecticut — often show strong solar savings even without the most sun hours, because every kilowatt-hour of self-generated power offsets a more expensive utility bill. Meanwhile, some sunny states with historically cheap electricity, like Utah or Idaho, can rank lower than expected. Seeing your state’s exact position on this chart adds context that a single savings number can’t provide on its own.
Who this calculator is for
This tool is designed for homeowners in the early research phase of considering solar — before requesting quotes, before talking to an installer, and before committing to a system size. It’s also useful for anyone comparing solar economics across different states, whether you’re relocating, evaluating a second home, or simply curious how your local sun exposure and utility rates stack up nationally.
The estimates here are meant for planning purposes, not as a substitute for a formal quote. Actual savings depend on your specific roof orientation, local utility rate structure, net-metering policies, and installer pricing. But as a starting point for understanding whether solar makes financial sense where you live — and how your state compares to the other 49 — this calculator gives you a clear, data-backed answer in under a minute.
Related Calculater
FAQ section
It gives a solid planning-level estimate based on your state’s average sun hours and electricity rate, a standard 80% system performance ratio, and typical installation costs. Actual savings depend on your roof’s orientation, shading, local utility rate structure, and net-metering rules, so treat the output as a starting point rather than a quote.
It depends on the balance of sun exposure and electricity prices, not sun alone. States with high electricity rates — like Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts — often show strong solar savings even with moderate sun hours, while sunny states with cheap electricity, like Utah or Idaho, can rank lower. The ranked chart in the calculator shows exactly where your state falls.
Yes. Estimated costs and payback periods factor in the 30% federal residential solar tax credit before calculating your net investment and return.
The calculator sizes a system to offset roughly 90% of your estimated annual electricity usage, based on your monthly bill and your state’s average residential rate.
It adjusts expected production for shading. Full sun assumes no obstructions; partial and heavy shade reduce estimated output, which increases the system size and cost needed to hit the same savings target.
No — this calculator works at the state level using statewide averages, so it’s meant for quick comparisons. For a precise quote based on your exact roof and utility rate, you’ll want proposals from local installers.