About Us
SolarCostGuide exists to answer a question that's surprisingly hard to get a straight answer to: what does solar actually cost where I live, and is it worth it for me?
Why we built this site
Search "solar panel cost" and most of what comes back is either vague marketing copy from installers competing for your contact information, or generic national averages that don't reflect how much electricity rates, sun hours, and state incentives actually vary across the country. A homeowner in Arizona and a homeowner in Massachusetts are looking at very different math.
We built SolarCostGuide to fill that gap: state-specific reference data, a calculator that uses it instead of one flat national number, and plain-English guides to the parts of solar shopping that are usually buried in fine print — financing structures, the federal tax credit, net metering, and how to avoid high-pressure sales tactics.
How we research
- State-specific data first. Our state guides and calculator use per-state average electricity rates and sun-hour estimates rather than a single national number, because that's what actually drives your real payback period.
- We label estimates as estimates. Every cost or savings figure on this Site is clearly marked as a reference estimate, not a quote — because it isn't one.
- We update as programs change. Incentive programs and tax credit rules change; we date our articles and revise them when we become aware of material changes.
What we will never do
- Present installer marketing as independent research
- Let advertising or lead-generation deals decide our rankings or recommendations
- Publish a specific cost figure without labeling it as an estimate
Editorial independence
SolarCostGuide is an independent editorial project, not owned by any installer or manufacturer we mention. The Site is supported by advertising, always shown separately from editorial content — see our Disclaimer.
Get in touch
Spotted an outdated rate or incentive program? We want to know — reach us through our contact page.