Solar guides
Plain-language guides for homeowners, with sources for every claim. Jump to getting started, solar cost by state or solar by utility.
Getting started
- How Much Does Solar Cost? National Prices and Why They Vary by State – What Berkeley Lab data says about residential solar prices and why your state's price may differ.
- HOA Solar Rights: Can Your HOA Stop You From Going Solar? – How state solar access laws interact with HOA rules.
- How Long Does Solar Installation Take? – The steps between signing and turning your system on, and what affects the timeline.
- How to Vet a Solar Installer: Licensing, Insurance, and Contract Red Flags – A checklist for verifying an installer before you sign.
- Is Solar Worth It in 2026 Without the Federal Tax Credit? – How to evaluate home solar now that the 25D credit has ended for new installations.
- Solar Lease vs. Buying vs. Loan (and PPAs) – Compare ownership and financing options for home solar.
- Net Metering Explained – What net metering is, why it varies, and the questions to ask your utility.
- Is Your Roof Ready for Solar? – Roof age, orientation, pitch, and shade — what to check before installing.
- Solar in Different Climates: Snow, Heat, Clouds, and Dust – How climate affects solar output and what to plan for.
- How Solar Affects Home Value and Property Taxes – What research says about resale value, and how to check your property tax treatment.
- Solar Panel Maintenance: What Owners Should Know – Who handles maintenance, what to monitor, and warranty basics.
- Solar + Battery Storage: What to Know – How home batteries work with solar, typical sizes, and what they add to cost.
- State Solar Incentives: An Overview – Types of state and local incentives and where to find current ones.
- Understanding Your Solar Quote – A line-by-line guide to reading an installer proposal.
- What Happens to Your Solar Panels If You Move? – Selling a home with owned, financed, leased, or PPA solar.
Solar cost by state (2026)
What official data shows about installed prices, market size and incentives in each state.
ArizonaCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutFloridaHawaiiIllinoisMaineMarylandMassachusettsNevadaNew JerseyNew YorkPennsylvaniaTexas
Solar by utility
How your electric company credits the power your panels send back to the grid. Listed by state; PacifiCorp and Duke Energy Carolinas serve more than one state.
Alabama
Arizona
California
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)Southern California Edison (SCE)
Florida
Duke Energy FloridaFlorida Power & Light (FPL)
Georgia
Illinois
Massachusetts
Eversource (Massachusetts)National Grid (Massachusetts)
Michigan
Minnesota
New Jersey
New York
Con EdisonNational Grid (Upstate New York)
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
FirstEnergy PennsylvaniaPPL Electric Utilities
Texas
CenterPoint Energy (Houston)Oncor
Utah
PacifiCorp (Rocky Mountain Power / Pacific Power)
Virginia
Get one quote from one installer
Request a free quote. SolarMatchup sends your request to exactly one local installer and never resells it. We don't guarantee savings or incentive eligibility. Results depend on your home, usage, rates and financing.