By state
DIY solar by state
State policy and physical sun conditions both matter for DIY off-grid and grid-tied solar economics. Tax credits, net metering, sales tax exemptions, and peak sun hours vary wildly across the US. Here's the honest breakdown for the states we've researched in depth.
California
NEM 3.0 changed everything; battery-first now wins
Arizona
Best sun in the lower 48 + $1,000 state credit
Texas
No statewide net metering — provider choice matters
Florida
Full retail net metering + hurricane considerations
Colorado
Altitude boost + full net metering + DIY-friendly
Oregon
Lowest sun hours in lower 48 — oversize the array
New Mexico
$6,000 state credit + 6.5 sun hours — best stack in country
New Jersey
Active SREC market + full retail net metering
Massachusetts
SMART program + state credit + full net metering
New York
$5,000 state credit + VDER compensation
Hawaii
Highest electricity rates in the US + $5,000 RETITC + battery-first design wins
Illinois
Illinois Shines pays upfront SRECs — $3K–$8K back at install
Maryland
$1,000 rebate + SREC market + sales tax exemption + $5K storage credit
Vermont
Strongest net metering in the US, brutal December sizing
Washington
Lowest sun in the lower 48, but full net metering + no sales tax
More states coming. Want yours next? Email spencerdstone@gmail.com.