SAVE
$0+
Over 25 Years
Most homeowners need:
25-year cost comparison for a $300/month US electric bill.
Without solar
25-year utility cost
$87,500
Rates rise ~3% per year (EIA avg.)
With solar
Net system cost
$23,000
After 30% federal ITC
Your savings
Difference
+$64,500
Estimated lifetime advantage
A $200/month electric bill in the US typically needs 28 solar panels (10.9 kW) at national average electricity rates and sun hours — $23,000 after the 30% ITC with 11.0-year payback. State-by-state, system size ranges from 3.3 kW in Hawaii to 18.6 kW in Washington, and payback spans 3.3–18.7 years.
Start here: National $200/month guide · Solar savings calculator · 2,500 sq ft by state
| Metric | US average ($200/mo bill) |
|---|---|
| Est. monthly usage | ~1,227 kWh |
| System size | 10.9 kW |
| Panels (400W) | 28 |
| Net cost after ITC | $23,000 |
| Simple payback | 11.0 years |
| 25-year savings | $64,500+ |
Formula: kW = Annual kWh ÷ (Peak sun hours × 365 × 0.82)
| Fastest payback | Slowest payback | |
|---|---|---|
| State | Hawaii | Washington |
| System | 3.3 kW · 9 panels | 18.6 kW · 47 panels |
| After ITC | $6,900 | $39,000 |
| Payback | 3.3 yrs | 18.7 yrs |
High electricity rates (e.g. Hawaii, California, Massachusetts) often beat sunny low-rate states for $200/month payback.
| State | System | Panels | After ITC | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 11.3 kW | 29 | $23,700 | 11.4 yrs |
| Alaska | 11.1 kW | 28 | $23,200 | 11.1 yrs |
| Arizona | 9.3 kW | 24 | $19,600 | 9.4 yrs |
| Arkansas | 13.5 kW | 34 | $28,300 | 13.6 yrs |
| California | 4.7 kW | 12 | $9,900 | 4.7 yrs |
| Colorado | 10.3 kW | 26 | $21,600 | 10.3 yrs |
| Connecticut | 7.7 kW | 20 | $16,200 | 7.7 yrs |
| Delaware | 12.0 kW | 31 | $25,300 | 12.1 yrs |
| Florida | 10.4 kW | 27 | $21,900 | 10.5 yrs |
| Georgia | 11.9 kW | 30 | $24,900 | 11.9 yrs |
| Hawaii | 3.3 kW | 9 | $6,900 | 3.3 yrs |
| Idaho | 14.6 kW | 37 | $30,600 | 14.7 yrs |
| Illinois | 11.7 kW | 30 | $24,500 | 11.7 yrs |
| Indiana | 12.7 kW | 32 | $26,700 | 12.8 yrs |
| Iowa | 15.0 kW | 38 | $31,400 | 15.1 yrs |
| Kansas | 12.1 kW | 31 | $25,500 | 12.2 yrs |
| Kentucky | 15.3 kW | 39 | $32,100 | 15.4 yrs |
| Louisiana | 13.0 kW | 33 | $27,400 | 13.1 yrs |
| Maine | 8.5 kW | 22 | $17,800 | 8.5 yrs |
| Maryland | 11.7 kW | 30 | $24,600 | 11.8 yrs |
| Massachusetts | 7.8 kW | 20 | $16,400 | 7.8 yrs |
| Michigan | 11.0 kW | 28 | $23,100 | 11.1 yrs |
| Minnesota | 12.0 kW | 31 | $25,300 | 12.1 yrs |
| Mississippi | 12.6 kW | 32 | $26,500 | 12.7 yrs |
| Missouri | 13.2 kW | 33 | $27,600 | 13.2 yrs |
| Montana | 13.4 kW | 34 | $28,100 | 13.4 yrs |
| Nebraska | 14.7 kW | 37 | $30,800 | 14.7 yrs |
| Nevada | 8.7 kW | 22 | $18,300 | 8.8 yrs |
| New Hampshire | 8.7 kW | 22 | $18,300 | 8.8 yrs |
| New Jersey | 10.4 kW | 26 | $21,700 | 10.4 yrs |
| New Mexico | 9.0 kW | 23 | $18,900 | 9.0 yrs |
| New York | 8.3 kW | 21 | $17,500 | 8.4 yrs |
| North Carolina | 12.0 kW | 31 | $25,300 | 12.1 yrs |
| North Dakota | 16.3 kW | 41 | $34,300 | 16.4 yrs |
| Ohio | 12.8 kW | 32 | $26,800 | 12.8 yrs |
| Oklahoma | 13.2 kW | 33 | $27,600 | 13.2 yrs |
| Oregon | 14.1 kW | 36 | $29,700 | 14.2 yrs |
| Pennsylvania | 11.4 kW | 29 | $23,900 | 11.4 yrs |
| Rhode Island | 7.6 kW | 19 | $15,900 | 7.6 yrs |
| South Carolina | 11.2 kW | 29 | $23,500 | 11.3 yrs |
| South Dakota | 14.0 kW | 36 | $29,500 | 14.1 yrs |
| Tennessee | 13.1 kW | 33 | $27,600 | 13.2 yrs |
| Texas | 10.4 kW | 26 | $21,800 | 10.4 yrs |
| Utah | 12.3 kW | 31 | $25,900 | 12.4 yrs |
| Vermont | 9.6 kW | 24 | $20,100 | 9.6 yrs |
| Virginia | 12.3 kW | 31 | $25,800 | 12.3 yrs |
| Washington | 18.6 kW | 47 | $39,000 | 18.7 yrs |
| West Virginia | 15.4 kW | 39 | $32,300 | 15.5 yrs |
| Wisconsin | 10.9 kW | 28 | $22,900 | 11.0 yrs |
| Wyoming | 13.9 kW | 35 | $29,300 | 14.0 yrs |
Estimates use EIA state rates, NREL sun hours, and 0.82 derate. National methodology.
$200/month maps to roughly 2,500 sq ft in national usage intensity — close to our 2,500 sq ft sizing tier.
| Sizing method | Best when you know… | National guide |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly bill (this page) | Utility bill amount | $200/mo |
| Home sq ft | House size | 2,500 sq ft |
Use both: if your bill differs from the sq ft estimate, trust your kWh usage from the utility statement.
Direct answers for US homeowners — sized for a $200/month electric bill.
Electricity rates and incentives vary — see data for your state.
Solar rules and net metering vary by utility — not just by state.
Calculation method: System size uses NREL PVWatts derate factor (0.82). Costs based on SEIA 2026 installed cost ($2.75–$3.20/W). Payback uses net cost after 30% federal ITC (IRC Section 25D). Savings assume full-retail net metering unless noted.
Official sources: EIA state electricity rates · NREL PVWatts · Energy.gov ITC guide · DSIRE incentives · SEIA market data · IRS Publication 5695.
All figures are estimates for educational purposes — not tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult a licensed installer and CPA for your situation.