Whether you're just starting to explore solar or ready to finalize your installation, our guides cover everything you need. New articles added regularly.
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Solar ROI depends heavily on where you live — your utility, net metering policy, local incentives, and sun hours all affect the math. Our state-by-state guides cover the local detail that generic solar guides miss.
Browse State Guides →
Nevada has world-class sun at 6.4 peak hours per day and among the lowest installed costs in the country at $2.28/watt. But NV Energy credits exported solar at only 75% of the retail rate, there is no state tax credit, and the federal ITC is gone. Here is what the math actually looks like in 2026.
Nevada Solar Guide 2026 →
New Mexico gets more sun than any other state, averaging 5.5–7.0 peak sun hours per day. Electricity rates are below the national average but rising fast. The state offers a 10% refundable tax credit up to $6,000 and full retail net metering. Here is what the math actually looks like in 2026.
New Mexico Solar Guide 2026 →
Hawaii has the highest electricity rates in the US at $0.40–$0.43/kWh, strong year-round sun, and a 35% state tax credit up to $5,000. The federal ITC is gone and Hawaii no longer offers traditional net metering. Here is what the numbers actually look like for Hawaii homeowners in 2026.
Hawaii Solar Guide 2026 →
Colorado has excellent sun, full retail net metering, and Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards production incentive — but no state income tax credit. Electricity rates are below the national average and rising fast. Here is what the numbers actually look like for Colorado homeowners in 2026.
Colorado Solar Guide 2026 →
Massachusetts has the highest electricity rates in the continental US and one of the deepest solar incentive stacks in the country. SMART 3.0, ConnectedSolutions battery payments, a 15% state tax credit, and full retail net metering combine for some of the strongest solar economics anywhere.
Massachusetts Solar Guide 2026 →
New Jersey's SuSI SREC-II program pays you for every kilowatt-hour your panels produce for 15 years. Combined with full retail net metering and two automatic tax exemptions, NJ has one of the strongest solar incentive stacks in the country — even without the federal tax credit.
New Jersey Solar Guide 2026 →
New York has a 25% state tax credit, full retail-rate net metering, and a battery storage rebate from NYSERDA. The federal ITC is gone and the NY-Sun upfront rebate is closed for most homeowners. Here is what Con Edison, National Grid, and PSEG Long Island customers need to know.
New York Solar Guide 2026 →
Florida has some of the best net metering in the country — full retail-rate credits through 2026. But the policy drops to 60% of retail in 2027. Here is what FPL, Duke Energy, and TECO customers need to know before going solar.
Florida Solar Guide 2026 →
Texas has no traditional net metering — your solar savings depend almost entirely on which retail electric provider you choose and what they pay for excess power. Here is how ERCOT, buyback plans, and battery storage change the math.
Texas Solar Guide 2026 →
NEM 3.0 cut export compensation by 75%. SGIP battery rebates closed December 31, 2025. California still has the highest electricity rates in the continental US — here is what that means for solar in 2026.
California Solar Guide 2026 →
Arizona has exceptional sun but no true net metering. APS, SRP, and TEP all pay different rates for excess solar, and SRP's monthly fixed charge changes the math significantly. Here is what Arizona homeowners need to know in 2026.
Arizona Solar Guide 2026 →
The installer matters as much as the panels. Here is how to verify credentials, compare quotes, avoid brokers, and find a company that will still be around when you need them in year ten.
How to Choose a Solar Installer →
Panels last 25 to 35 years and are 90% recyclable by weight. Here is why only 10% are actually recycled today, what it costs, and what your options are when the time comes.
Solar Panel End-of-Life →
The federal credit is gone but five other incentive types remain. Here is what each one is, how much it is worth, and which states offer the most valuable programs in 2026.
Solar Incentive Types Explained →
A battery can save you thousands or cost you thousands — depending entirely on how your utility handles excess solar. Here is how to tell which situation you are in before talking to an installer.
Solar vs. Battery Storage →
Making solar panels uses energy and produces carbon. But the debt is paid off in 1 to 3 years — then 22 more years of clean electricity. Here is what the numbers actually show.
Is Solar Better for the Environment? →
Solar panels cost less and produce more electricity. Solar shingles look better and replace your roof. Here is how to decide — and the one scenario where shingles make clear financial sense.
Solar Panels vs. Shingles →
Monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film — and within monocrystalline, PERC vs TOPCon vs HJT. Here's what the differences actually mean for your home, and what matters more than panel type when evaluating a quote.
Types of Solar Panels →
When your solar panels produce more than you use, net metering turns that surplus into bill credits. Here's how it works, which states have the best policies, and what California's NEM 3.0 change means for homeowners.
Net Metering 101 →
System size is the biggest variable in your solar ROI. Here's how to calculate the right size for your home — and why oversizing or undersizing both cost you money.
How Much Solar Do I Need? →
The federal tax credit is gone but the case for solar is stronger than ever. Rising electricity rates, cheaper panels, strong state incentives, and a 25-year production warranty all point in the same direction.
Reasons to Consider Solar →
The federal 30% solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. Here's what's still available — state credits, property tax exemptions, SRECs, net metering, and how to find every program in your area.
Solar Tax Credits in 2026 →
Seven questions that separate good installers from ones you'll regret. Covers credentials, equipment, what's in the quote, warranties, permits, and the red flags that mean walk away.
What to Ask Your Installer →
Before you talk to a single installer, run through this checklist. Six key areas — roof, sun, bills, future plans, HOA rules, and electrical panel — that determine whether solar makes sense for your home.
Is Your Home Ready for Solar? →
We rank the best states by sun hours, electricity rates, and state incentives, and explain where solar still makes strong financial sense after the federal credit expired.
Best States for Solar in 2026 →
Studies show homes with solar sell faster and for more. We dig into the data and explain what factors determine how much value solar adds to your property.
How Solar Panels Affect Your Home's Resale Value →