US residential solar · 2026 data

$300/Month Electric Bill — Solar Guide for All 50 States

Q: "How many solar panels for a $300/month electric bill?"

"Nationally, a $300/month bill (~1,840 kWh/month) needs about **41 panels** (16.4 kW) at average US rates and sun hours. State totals range from **13** in Hawaii to **70** in Washington."

Q: "Which state has the fastest solar payback for a $300/month bill?"

"**Hawaii** leads at **3.3-year** payback (4.9 kW, $10,300 after ITC). **Washington** is slowest at **18.7 years**."

Q: "What does solar cost for a $300/month electric bill after the 30% tax credit?"

"US average net cost is **$34,400** for a **16.4 kW** system ($49,200 gross). State costs range from **$10,300** (Hawaii) to **$58,500** (Washington)."

Q: "Is a $300/month bill guide different from a sq ft sizing guide?"

"Yes — same end goal, different starting point. $300/month maps to roughly **3,500 sq ft** nationally. Use this hub for **utility bills**; use the [3,500 sq ft hub](/guides/solar-panels-3500-sq-ft-house-by-state/) if you know home size."

Q: "Where can I read the full national $300/month methodology?"

"See the [national $300/month guide](/guides/solar-panels-300-month-electric-bill/) for roof orientation, panel wattage, and calculator walkthrough. Each state link below adds **local rate \u0026 sun hours**."

SAVE

$0+

Over 25 Years

$34,400 Cost after ITC

11.0 yrs Payback

16.4 kW Typical system

Most homeowners need:

39–44 panels nationally
16.4 kW average system
$34,400 after tax credits
11.0 year national payback

✓ Updated monthly ✓ NREL data ✓ Reviewed by solar experts ✓ IRS tax credit included

Updated June 9, 2026 · 3 min read ·By Mark Sullivan ·Reviewed by Green Energy Calculators Editorial Team

Calculate My Savings National $300/Month Guide

Without solar vs with solar

25-year cost comparison for a $300/month US electric bill.

Without solar

25-year utility cost

$131,300

Rates rise ~3% per year (EIA avg.)

With solar

Net system cost

$34,400

After 30% federal ITC

Your savings

Difference

+$96,800

Estimated lifetime advantage

Author Mark Sullivan

Reviewed by Green Energy Calculators Editorial Team

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

Sizing formula kW = Annual kWh ÷ (Peak Sun Hours × 365 × 0.82)

A $300/month electric bill in the US typically needs 41 solar panels (16.4 kW) at national average electricity rates and sun hours — $34,400 after the 30% ITC with 11.0-year payback. State-by-state, system size ranges from 4.9 kW in Hawaii to 27.8 kW in Washington, and payback spans 3.3–18.7 years.

Start here: National $300/month guide · Solar savings calculator · 3,500 sq ft by state

National Snapshot: $300/Month Electric Bill Solar in 2026

Metric	US average ($300/mo bill)
Est. monthly usage	~1,840 kWh
System size	16.4 kW
Panels (400W)	41
Net cost after ITC	$34,400
Simple payback	11.0 years
25-year savings	$96,800+

Formula: kW = Annual kWh ÷ (Peak sun hours × 365 × 0.82)

Fastest & Slowest Payback States for $300/Month Bills

	Fastest payback	Slowest payback
State	Hawaii	Washington
System	4.9 kW · 13 panels	27.8 kW · 70 panels
After ITC	$10,300	$58,500
Payback	3.3 yrs	18.7 yrs

High electricity rates (e.g. Hawaii, California, Massachusetts) often beat sunny low-rate states for $300/month payback.

$300/Month Electric Bill — Solar by State (2026)

State	System	Panels	After ITC	Payback
Alabama	16.9 kW	43	$35,600	11.4 yrs
Alaska	16.6 kW	42	$34,800	11.1 yrs
Arizona	14.0 kW	36	$29,400	9.4 yrs
Arkansas	20.2 kW	51	$42,500	13.6 yrs
California	7.1 kW	18	$14,800	4.7 yrs
Colorado	15.4 kW	39	$32,300	10.3 yrs
Connecticut	11.5 kW	29	$24,300	7.7 yrs
Delaware	18.1 kW	46	$37,900	12.1 yrs
Florida	15.6 kW	40	$32,800	10.5 yrs
Georgia	17.8 kW	45	$37,400	11.9 yrs
Hawaii	4.9 kW	13	$10,300	3.3 yrs
Idaho	21.9 kW	55	$45,900	14.7 yrs
Illinois	17.5 kW	44	$36,800	11.7 yrs
Indiana	19.1 kW	48	$40,100	12.8 yrs
Iowa	22.5 kW	57	$47,200	15.1 yrs
Kansas	18.2 kW	46	$38,300	12.2 yrs
Kentucky	22.9 kW	58	$48,200	15.4 yrs
Louisiana	19.5 kW	49	$41,000	13.1 yrs
Maine	12.7 kW	32	$26,700	8.5 yrs
Maryland	17.6 kW	44	$36,900	11.8 yrs
Massachusetts	11.7 kW	30	$24,500	7.8 yrs
Michigan	16.5 kW	42	$34,600	11.1 yrs
Minnesota	18.1 kW	46	$37,900	12.1 yrs
Mississippi	19.0 kW	48	$39,800	12.7 yrs
Missouri	19.7 kW	50	$41,400	13.2 yrs
Montana	20.0 kW	51	$42,100	13.4 yrs
Nebraska	22.0 kW	55	$46,200	14.7 yrs
Nevada	13.1 kW	33	$27,400	8.8 yrs
New Hampshire	13.1 kW	33	$27,500	8.8 yrs
New Jersey	15.5 kW	39	$32,600	10.4 yrs
New Mexico	13.5 kW	34	$28,300	9.0 yrs
New York	12.5 kW	32	$26,200	8.4 yrs
North Carolina	18.1 kW	46	$37,900	12.1 yrs
North Dakota	24.5 kW	62	$51,500	16.4 yrs
Ohio	19.2 kW	48	$40,200	12.8 yrs
Oklahoma	19.7 kW	50	$41,400	13.2 yrs
Oregon	21.2 kW	54	$44,500	14.2 yrs
Pennsylvania	17.0 kW	43	$35,800	11.4 yrs
Rhode Island	11.4 kW	29	$23,900	7.6 yrs
South Carolina	16.8 kW	43	$35,300	11.3 yrs
South Dakota	21.1 kW	53	$44,200	14.1 yrs
Tennessee	19.7 kW	50	$41,400	13.2 yrs
Texas	15.6 kW	39	$32,700	10.4 yrs
Utah	18.5 kW	47	$38,900	12.4 yrs
Vermont	14.4 kW	36	$30,200	9.6 yrs
Virginia	18.4 kW	47	$38,700	12.3 yrs
Washington	27.8 kW	70	$58,500	18.7 yrs
West Virginia	23.1 kW	58	$48,500	15.5 yrs
Wisconsin	16.4 kW	41	$34,400	11.0 yrs
Wyoming	20.9 kW	53	$43,900	14.0 yrs

Estimates use EIA state rates, NREL sun hours, and 0.82 derate. National methodology.

How Bill-Based Sizing Compares to Home Sq Ft Guides

$300/month maps to roughly 3,500 sq ft in national usage intensity — close to our 3,500 sq ft sizing tier.

Sizing method	Best when you know…	National guide
Monthly bill (this page)	Utility bill amount	$300/mo
Home sq ft	House size	3,500 sq ft

Use both: if your bill differs from the sq ft estimate, trust your kWh usage from the utility statement.

Frequently asked questions

Direct answers for US homeowners — sized for a $300/month electric bill.

How many solar panels for a $300/month electric bill?

Nationally, a $300/month bill (~1,840 kWh/month) needs about **41 panels** (16.4 kW) at average US rates and sun hours. State totals range from **13** in Hawaii to **70** in Washington.

Which state has the fastest solar payback for a $300/month bill?

What does solar cost for a $300/month electric bill after the 30% tax credit?

Is a $300/month bill guide different from a sq ft sizing guide?

Where can I read the full national $300/month methodology?

Popular state solar guides

Electricity rates and incentives vary — see data for your state.

CA California 29.4¢/kWh · 5.8h sun TX Texas 13.8¢/kWh · 5.6h sun FL Florida 13.5¢/kWh · 5.7h sun AZ Arizona 13.2¢/kWh · 6.5h sun NC North Carolina 12.8¢/kWh · 5.2h sun NY New York 22.4¢/kWh · 4.3h sun MA Massachusetts 24.5¢/kWh · 4.2h sun CO Colorado 14.2¢/kWh · 5.5h sun

View all 50 states →

Popular utility companies

Solar rules and net metering vary by utility — not just by state.

PG&E California Duke Energy NC · FL · Midwest Florida Power & Light Florida Oncor Texas APS Arizona Georgia Power Georgia

Methodology & data sources

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.