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
$21,900
Rates rise ~3% per year (EIA avg.)
With solar
Net system cost
$5,700
After 30% federal ITC
Your savings
Difference
+$16,100
Estimated lifetime advantage
A $50/month electric bill in the US typically needs 7 solar panels (2.7 kW) at national average electricity rates and sun hours — $5,700 after the 30% ITC with 11.0-year payback. State-by-state, system size ranges from 0.8 kW in Hawaii to 4.6 kW in Washington, and payback spans 3.3–18.7 years.
Start here: National $50/month guide · Solar savings calculator · 1,200 sq ft by state
| Metric | US average ($50/mo bill) |
|---|---|
| Est. monthly usage | ~307 kWh |
| System size | 2.7 kW |
| Panels (400W) | 7 |
| Net cost after ITC | $5,700 |
| Simple payback | 11.0 years |
| 25-year savings | $16,100+ |
Formula: kW = Annual kWh ÷ (Peak sun hours × 365 × 0.82)
| Fastest payback | Slowest payback | |
|---|---|---|
| State | Hawaii | Washington |
| System | 0.8 kW · 3 panels | 4.6 kW · 12 panels |
| After ITC | $1,700 | $9,700 |
| Payback | 3.3 yrs | 18.7 yrs |
High electricity rates (e.g. Hawaii, California, Massachusetts) often beat sunny low-rate states for $50/month payback.
| State | System | Panels | After ITC | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2.8 kW | 8 | $5,900 | 11.4 yrs |
| Alaska | 2.8 kW | 7 | $5,800 | 11.1 yrs |
| Arizona | 2.3 kW | 6 | $4,900 | 9.4 yrs |
| Arkansas | 3.4 kW | 9 | $7,100 | 13.6 yrs |
| California | 1.2 kW | 3 | $2,500 | 4.7 yrs |
| Colorado | 2.6 kW | 7 | $5,400 | 10.3 yrs |
| Connecticut | 1.9 kW | 5 | $4,000 | 7.7 yrs |
| Delaware | 3.0 kW | 8 | $6,300 | 12.1 yrs |
| Florida | 2.6 kW | 7 | $5,500 | 10.5 yrs |
| Georgia | 3.0 kW | 8 | $6,200 | 11.9 yrs |
| Hawaii | 0.8 kW | 3 | $1,700 | 3.3 yrs |
| Idaho | 3.6 kW | 10 | $7,700 | 14.7 yrs |
| Illinois | 2.9 kW | 8 | $6,100 | 11.7 yrs |
| Indiana | 3.2 kW | 8 | $6,700 | 12.8 yrs |
| Iowa | 3.7 kW | 10 | $7,900 | 15.1 yrs |
| Kansas | 3.0 kW | 8 | $6,400 | 12.2 yrs |
| Kentucky | 3.8 kW | 10 | $8,000 | 15.4 yrs |
| Louisiana | 3.3 kW | 9 | $6,800 | 13.1 yrs |
| Maine | 2.1 kW | 6 | $4,500 | 8.5 yrs |
| Maryland | 2.9 kW | 8 | $6,200 | 11.8 yrs |
| Massachusetts | 1.9 kW | 5 | $4,100 | 7.8 yrs |
| Michigan | 2.7 kW | 7 | $5,800 | 11.1 yrs |
| Minnesota | 3.0 kW | 8 | $6,300 | 12.1 yrs |
| Mississippi | 3.2 kW | 8 | $6,600 | 12.7 yrs |
| Missouri | 3.3 kW | 9 | $6,900 | 13.2 yrs |
| Montana | 3.3 kW | 9 | $7,000 | 13.4 yrs |
| Nebraska | 3.7 kW | 10 | $7,700 | 14.7 yrs |
| Nevada | 2.2 kW | 6 | $4,600 | 8.8 yrs |
| New Hampshire | 2.2 kW | 6 | $4,600 | 8.8 yrs |
| New Jersey | 2.6 kW | 7 | $5,400 | 10.4 yrs |
| New Mexico | 2.2 kW | 6 | $4,700 | 9.0 yrs |
| New York | 2.1 kW | 6 | $4,400 | 8.4 yrs |
| North Carolina | 3.0 kW | 8 | $6,300 | 12.1 yrs |
| North Dakota | 4.1 kW | 11 | $8,600 | 16.4 yrs |
| Ohio | 3.2 kW | 8 | $6,700 | 12.8 yrs |
| Oklahoma | 3.3 kW | 9 | $6,900 | 13.2 yrs |
| Oregon | 3.5 kW | 9 | $7,400 | 14.2 yrs |
| Pennsylvania | 2.8 kW | 8 | $6,000 | 11.4 yrs |
| Rhode Island | 1.9 kW | 5 | $4,000 | 7.6 yrs |
| South Carolina | 2.8 kW | 8 | $5,900 | 11.3 yrs |
| South Dakota | 3.5 kW | 9 | $7,400 | 14.1 yrs |
| Tennessee | 3.3 kW | 9 | $6,900 | 13.2 yrs |
| Texas | 2.6 kW | 7 | $5,400 | 10.4 yrs |
| Utah | 3.1 kW | 8 | $6,500 | 12.4 yrs |
| Vermont | 2.4 kW | 6 | $5,000 | 9.6 yrs |
| Virginia | 3.1 kW | 8 | $6,400 | 12.3 yrs |
| Washington | 4.6 kW | 12 | $9,700 | 18.7 yrs |
| West Virginia | 3.8 kW | 10 | $8,100 | 15.5 yrs |
| Wisconsin | 2.7 kW | 7 | $5,700 | 11.0 yrs |
| Wyoming | 3.5 kW | 9 | $7,300 | 14.0 yrs |
Estimates use EIA state rates, NREL sun hours, and 0.82 derate. National methodology.
$50/month maps to roughly 1,200 sq ft in national usage intensity — close to our 1,200 sq ft sizing tier.
| Sizing method | Best when you know… | National guide |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly bill (this page) | Utility bill amount | $50/mo |
| Home sq ft | House size | 1,200 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 $50/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.