Your savings estimate
Prefilled with your state average (EIA, May 2026). Check your bill - your real rate matters more than any other input.
Assumption, editable. $2.80/W is a typical US residential price before any incentives; quotes vary widely.
How the math works
Annual production = system size (kW) × production per kW for your nearest listed city. Annual savings = production × your rate. System cost = size × 1,000 × cost per watt. Simple payback = cost ÷ annual savings. No degradation, rate increases, maintenance, financing costs, or incentives are modeled - that keeps the math transparent, and conservative in some ways, optimistic in others.
Solar savings by state
Jump to your state: Arizona · California · Colorado · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Illinois · Massachusetts · North Carolina · New Jersey · Nevada · New York · Ohio · Pennsylvania · Texas · Washington
Solar panel savings in Arizona
The average residential electricity price in Arizona is 15.48¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Phoenix, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,789 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Phoenix makes about 10,734 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,662 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 10.1 years.
Solar panel savings in California
The average residential electricity price in California is 35.25¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Los Angeles, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,704 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Los Angeles makes about 10,224 kWh a year, worth roughly $3,604 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 4.7 years.
Solar panel savings in Colorado
The average residential electricity price in Colorado is 16.54¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Denver, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,656 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Denver makes about 9,936 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,643 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 10.2 years.
Solar panel savings in Florida
The average residential electricity price in Florida is 15.17¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Tampa, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,581 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Tampa makes about 9,486 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,439 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 11.7 years.
Solar panel savings in Georgia
The average residential electricity price in Georgia is 15.84¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Atlanta, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,419 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Atlanta makes about 8,514 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,349 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 12.5 years.
Solar panel savings in Hawaii
The average residential electricity price in Hawaii is 52.00¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Honolulu, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,621 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Honolulu makes about 9,726 kWh a year, worth roughly $5,058 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 3.3 years.
Solar panel savings in Illinois
The average residential electricity price in Illinois is 23.85¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Chicago, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,336 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Chicago makes about 8,016 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,912 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 8.8 years.
Solar panel savings in Massachusetts
The average residential electricity price in Massachusetts is 28.82¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Boston, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,349 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Boston makes about 8,094 kWh a year, worth roughly $2,333 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 7.2 years.
Solar panel savings in North Carolina
The average residential electricity price in North Carolina is 15.09¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Charlotte, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,474 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Charlotte makes about 8,844 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,335 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 12.6 years.
Solar panel savings in New Jersey
The average residential electricity price in New Jersey is 23.27¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Newark, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,342 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Newark makes about 8,052 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,874 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 9.0 years.
Solar panel savings in Nevada
The average residential electricity price in Nevada is 14.29¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Las Vegas, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,801 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Las Vegas makes about 10,806 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,544 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 10.9 years.
Solar panel savings in New York
The average residential electricity price in New York is 29.93¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near New York City, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,318 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near New York City makes about 7,908 kWh a year, worth roughly $2,367 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 7.1 years.
Solar panel savings in Ohio
The average residential electricity price in Ohio is 19.52¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Columbus, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,336 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Columbus makes about 8,016 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,565 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 10.7 years.
Solar panel savings in Pennsylvania
The average residential electricity price in Pennsylvania is 21.55¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Philadelphia, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,395 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Philadelphia makes about 8,370 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,804 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 9.3 years.
Solar panel savings in Texas
The average residential electricity price in Texas is 16.99¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Dallas, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,524 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Dallas makes about 9,144 kWh a year, worth roughly $1,554 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 10.8 years.
Solar panel savings in Washington
The average residential electricity price in Washington is 14.36¢/kWh (US EIA, May 2026). Near Seattle, a typical south-facing roof system produces about 1,096 kWh per kW per year (PVWatts V8).
Example: a 6 kW system near Seattle makes about 6,576 kWh a year, worth roughly $944 a year in avoided electricity purchases. At an assumed installed cost of $2.80/W ($16,800 before incentives), the simple payback is about 17.8 years.
Solar production by city: kWh per kW per year
Typical-year AC production for a 1 kW south-facing rooftop system, computed with PVWatts V8 (National Laboratory of the Rockies) using NSRDB weather data, standard modules, fixed roof mount, tilt set to latitude, and 14% system losses. Higher is sunnier.
| City | State | kWh per kW / year |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | New Mexico | 1,824 |
| Las Vegas | Nevada | 1,801 |
| Phoenix | Arizona | 1,789 |
| Los Angeles | California | 1,704 |
| San Diego | California | 1,698 |
| Denver | Colorado | 1,656 |
| Sacramento | California | 1,644 |
| Honolulu | Hawaii | 1,621 |
| San Francisco | California | 1,588 |
| Tampa | Florida | 1,581 |
| Miami | Florida | 1,556 |
| Orlando | Florida | 1,555 |
| Salt Lake City | Utah | 1,524 |
| Dallas | Texas | 1,524 |
| San Antonio | Texas | 1,505 |
| Austin | Texas | 1,491 |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | 1,474 |
| Houston | Texas | 1,428 |
| Atlanta | Georgia | 1,419 |
| Raleigh | North Carolina | 1,407 |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 1,395 |
| Boston | Massachusetts | 1,349 |
| Newark | New Jersey | 1,342 |
| Chicago | Illinois | 1,336 |
| Columbus | Ohio | 1,336 |
| New York City | New York | 1,318 |
| Buffalo | New York | 1,223 |
| Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | 1,206 |
| Portland | Oregon | 1,136 |
| Seattle | Washington | 1,096 |
Average residential electricity price by state (cents per kWh)
US Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A, May 2026. These are statewide averages of what residential customers actually paid per kWh - your utility's rate can be well above or below the average.
| State | Residential price |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 16.77¢ |
| Alaska | 27.35¢ |
| Arizona | 15.48¢ |
| Arkansas | 14.16¢ |
| California | 35.25¢ |
| Colorado | 16.54¢ |
| Connecticut | 27.37¢ |
| Delaware | 19.38¢ |
| District of Columbia | 25.40¢ |
| Florida | 15.17¢ |
| Georgia | 15.84¢ |
| Hawaii | 52.00¢ |
| Idaho | 12.70¢ |
| Illinois | 23.85¢ |
| Indiana | 18.15¢ |
| Iowa | 14.14¢ |
| Kansas | 15.13¢ |
| Kentucky | 14.98¢ |
| Louisiana | 14.44¢ |
| Maine | 28.63¢ |
| Maryland | 21.77¢ |
| Massachusetts | 28.82¢ |
| Michigan | 22.01¢ |
| Minnesota | 16.95¢ |
| Mississippi | 16.76¢ |
| Missouri | 13.68¢ |
| Montana | 13.90¢ |
| Nebraska | 13.59¢ |
| Nevada | 14.29¢ |
| New Hampshire | 27.33¢ |
| New Jersey | 23.27¢ |
| New Mexico | 15.15¢ |
| New York | 29.93¢ |
| North Carolina | 15.09¢ |
| North Dakota | 13.61¢ |
| Ohio | 19.52¢ |
| Oklahoma | 13.31¢ |
| Oregon | 15.78¢ |
| Pennsylvania | 21.55¢ |
| Rhode Island | 29.46¢ |
| South Carolina | 16.18¢ |
| South Dakota | 15.73¢ |
| Tennessee | 14.94¢ |
| Texas | 16.99¢ |
| Utah | 13.29¢ |
| Vermont | 24.89¢ |
| Virginia | 17.61¢ |
| Washington | 14.36¢ |
| West Virginia | 16.80¢ |
| Wisconsin | 19.74¢ |
| Wyoming | 14.68¢ |
Data sources
Solar production: PVWatts V8 API, National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR, formerly NREL), queried October 2026 for 30 cities; weather data from the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB). Electricity prices: EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.A (May 2026). Hawaii's May 2026 price spiked with oil prices; the figure used here is the EIA May 2026 value as reported at release.