States that use the most solar power.

Some states use way more solar power than other states — and often there is a good reason for that. You will assume that the states with the most solar power utilization are those with the highest electricity rates.

States with the highest electric rates.

• Hawaii — 29.18 cents
• Alaska — 19.36 cents
• Massachusetts — 18.50 cents
• Connecticut — 18.41 cents
• Rhode Island — 18.10 cents
• New Hampshire — 17.01 cents
• California — 16.58 cents
• Vermont — 15.13 cents
• New York — 14.83 cents
• Maine — 13.44 cents
• New Jersey — 13.23 cents

And then compare states by generating capacity and you’ll see how they correlate.

• California — 21,000 MW
• North Carolina — 4,300 MW
• Arizona — 3,400 MW
• Nevada — 2500 MW
• New Jersey — 2300 MW
• Massachusetts — 2000 MW
• Texas — 1800 MW
• Utah — 1600 MW
• Georgia — 1500 MW
• Florida — 1400 MW

But wait! Why don’t these line up exactly? Smaller, less expensive and less populated states like Arizona and Nevada don’t have the highest electric rates in the country, so why are they so high on the solar installation list?

Well, a big part of that is these states have newer construction, and often more roof space and land for installing solar. A state with wide open land like Oklahoma might fare better for solar than the more industrial cities of Indiana.

But you’ll notice Massachusetts does make the list, and that’s almost certainly thanks to the incredibly high prices consumers pay for their own electricity.

Sun Exposure is also important.

The other reason that some of these states rank so highly on the list is that they have excellent sun exposure. There are fewer trees causing shade in Nevada than, say, Maine. Having decent access to sunlight year round is important for maximizing the amount of output you will get from solar panels.

This Nevada solar installation is a great example of the importance of sun exposure.

You also might notice that smaller states like Hawaii and Alaska aren’t on the list — this isn’t exactly due to sun exposure, but is more likely due to the more expensive cost of living in these areas combined with a lower average population.