Best and worst states to go solar

Various factors help determine whether a state is a good place for homeowners to go solar with rooftop panels. Low installation costs and high retail energy prices can drive people to look for alternatives, and residents in states with more peak sunlight hours can produce more power with fewer panels. State laws and regulations can also encourage people to go solar or discourage them.

This analysis by Consumer Affairs evaluated data in each of the aforementioned categories and assigned points based on their relative importance to come up with each state’s Solar Score. Along with the 50 states, they included Washington, D.C., in their rankings.

Best states to go solar:

1. Hawaii

2. Nevada

3. Delaware

4. Arizona

5. California

Worst states to go solar:

1. Indiana

2. Kentucky

3. Arkansas

4. Tennessee

5. Alabama