How fast does solar pay for itself?
How fast does home solar pay for itself in your US state in 2026?
Home-solar payback typically runs 5–7 years in high-rate, sunny states and 15+ years where electricity is cheap. The big 2026 change: the 30% federal residential tax credit (25D) expired on December 31, 2025, so new installs no longer get it — raising up-front cost by roughly 30% and lengthening payback. Use the calculator to see your number.
Source: EIA & NREL. Data as of June 2026.
Open the payback calculator Compare by state
Solar payback by state
Pre-filled with real EIA electricity prices and NREL sun data for each state:
42.23¢/kWh · 1,680 kWh/kW/yr
Solar in California33.35¢/kWh · 1,630 kWh/kW/yr
Solar in Massachusetts30.21¢/kWh · 1,230 kWh/kW/yr
Solar in New York28.55¢/kWh · 1,180 kWh/kW/yr
Solar in New Jersey23.49¢/kWh · 1,230 kWh/kW/yr
Solar in Pennsylvania20.92¢/kWh · 1,180 kWh/kW/yr
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2026-06-14What this site is
SolarPayback publishes a free, fast solar payback calculator and plain-English data on residential solar payback and ROI for every US state. Every figure is sourced from the EIA and NREL and carries a visible date — see our methodology. Estimates are for general information, not financial advice.
Last updated: 2026-06-14