Solar · Published 2026-07-05
The 10 Most Expensive States to Go Solar (2026)
The ten most expensive states for a home solar installation, ranked from the same July 2026 dataset that powers our calculators — with full state breakdowns.
Figures price a standard 8 kW system at each state’s average installed cost per watt, before incentives — with the federal credit gone since 2026, state economics matter more than ever. Here are the ten most expensive states, every figure linking to that state's full breakdown.
| # | State | 8 kW system, installed (before incentives) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $32,000 |
| 2 | Alaska | $30,400 |
| 3 | New York | $28,800 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $28,800 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $28,000 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $28,000 |
| 7 | Vermont | $27,200 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $27,200 |
| 9 | Maine | $27,200 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $25,600 |
#1: Hawaii
Hawaii is one of the most expensive states for a home solar installation, ranking #50 of 50 at $32,000 — about 31% above the national average.
#2: Alaska
Alaska is one of the most expensive states for a home solar installation, ranking #49 of 50 at $30,400 — about 25% above the national average.
#3: New York
New York is one of the most expensive states for a home solar installation, ranking #48 of 50 at $28,800 — about 18% above the national average.
Run your own numbers
Installed price isn’t destiny — quotes for the same roof routinely differ 20%+, and sun hours and electricity rates decide the payback.
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