Solar Panel Installation Cost by State (2026)
Average prices for solar panel installation across 43 US states, ranked from most affordable to priciest. Ranges are computed from local cost factors — regional labor rates, material availability, permit requirements, and climate — so you can plan a realistic budget wherever you live.
| # | State | Covered Cities | Average Range (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | OH | 5 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 2 | MI | 2 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 3 | SD | 1 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 4 | AZ | 2 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 5 | NE | 1 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 6 | OK | 2 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 7 | VA | 3 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 8 | AR | 1 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 9 | KY | 2 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 10 | MO | 2 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 11 | MS | 1 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 12 | IN | 1 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 13 | NY | 5 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 14 | FL | 6 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 15 | ND | 1 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 16 | KS | 1 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 17 | IA | 1 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 18 | SC | 3 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 19 | NM | 1 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 20 | GA | 3 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 21 | TX | 7 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 22 | AL | 3 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 23 | LA | 2 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 24 | TN | 4 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 25 | NC | 4 | $2 – $3 per watt |
| 26 | HI | 1 | $3 – $5 per watt |
| 27 | DC | 1 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 28 | OR | 3 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 29 | WA | 3 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 30 | UT | 1 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 31 | RI | 1 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 32 | IL | 1 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 33 | PA | 2 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 34 | CA | 10 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 35 | MA | 1 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 36 | MD | 1 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 37 | MN | 1 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 38 | WI | 2 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 39 | CO | 2 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 40 | NV | 2 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 41 | ID | 1 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 42 | NJ | 2 | $3 – $4 per watt |
| 43 | CT | 1 | $3 – $4 per watt |
Cheapest vs. Most Expensive States
The most affordable state for solar panel installation in our data is OH (from $2 per watt), while the priciest is CT (up to $4 per watt). Regional differences come from labor rates, permit fees, and how common the work is in each market.
How We Calculate State Averages
We take every covered city's local cost factor — the multiplier that adjusts national pricing for that metro — and average it per state. The result is a practical planning range, not a quote. For an exact figure for your project, use the Cost Calculator or read the full Solar Panel Installation guide.