Solar Panel Cost in Connecticut (2026): Price, Payback, Incentives

Q: How much do solar panels cost in Connecticut?

At the state median installed price of $3.30 per watt (estimate), a 6.5 kW (estimate) system that covers a typical home's use costs about $21,500 (estimate) before incentives. Quotes vary with roof, equipment and installer.

Solar Panel Cost in Connecticut

A typical Connecticut home uses 695 kWh a month^[1] of electricity. Covering that with solar takes a system of about 6.5 kW est.^[1,2], which costs roughly $18,000 to $24,500 est.^[1,2,3] before incentives at the state's median installed price. With Connecticut's average residential price of 27.47¢ per kWh^[4], our model puts payback at about 9 years est.^[1,2,3,4,5]. Your quote, roof and utility plan will move these numbers, so treat them as a starting point.

Connecticut solar at a glance

Average electricity price27.47¢/kWh^[4]Jan–Aug 2026 average (preliminary)

Average home use695 kWh/mo^[1]2024 average

Solar output per kW1,291 kWh/yr^[2]PVWatts estimate for Bridgeport

Median installed price$3.30/W^[3]Estimate, before incentives

Typical system6.5 kWSized to cover 100% of use

Typical price$21,500Estimate, before incentives

Year-1 savings$2,290Estimate

Payback9 yearsEstimate, cash purchase

Estimates use the inputs above and the assumptions in our methodology: Connecticut net metering: exports credited at the retail rate (statewide rule; your utility's tariff may differ). Prices rise 2.5% a year; panels lose 0.5% a year.

Solar cost in Connecticut by system size

Same assumptions as the typical home above; only the system size changes. Prices are the state median before incentives and include the incentives our calculator applies by default in Connecticut.

Estimated cost, output and payback by system size in Connecticut
System	Price before incentives^[3]	After incentives	kWh in year 1^[2]	Year-1 savings^[4]^[5]	Payback (years)
4 kW	$13,200	$13,200	5,160	$1,420	9
6 kW	$19,800	$19,800	7,750	$2,130	9
8 kW	$26,400	$26,400	10,330	$2,290	10
10 kW	$33,000	$33,000	12,910	$2,290	13
12 kW	$39,600	$39,600	15,490	$2,290	15

Incentives that lower the price in Connecticut

Federal · tax creditEnding soon

Business credit for leased and PPA systems (48E)

Claimed by the system owner, not the homeowner; solar must begin construction by July 4, 2026 or be in service by December 31, 2027^[6]

If a company owns the panels on your roof (a lease or power purchase agreement), that company may claim the business clean electricity investment credit and can reflect it in your price. You cannot claim it yourself.

Who: Third-party-owned systems (leases and PPAs). Ask the provider whether the price assumes this credit.
Deadline: December 31, 2027
Checked: November 5, 2026

State · performance paymentAvailable

Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) Buy-All tariff

$0.3289/kWh for all production for 20 years (applications Jan 1-Dec 31, 2026); low-income adder +$0.055/kWh, economically distressed municipality adder +$0.0275/kWh^[5]

Eversource or United Illuminating residential customers applying for interconnection between January 1 and December 31, 2026; rate fixed for 20 years from approval to operate.

Who: Eversource or United Illuminating residential customers applying for interconnection between January 1 and December 31, 2026; rate fixed for 20 years from approval to operate.
Deadline: December 31, 2026
Checked: November 5, 2026

All Connecticut incentives, including utility and local programs →

How Connecticut utilities credit your solar

Classic kWh net metering closed to new systems at the end of 2021; Eversource and UI customers now choose RRES Buy-All ($0.3289/kWh for all output in 2026, 20 years) or Netting, where exports earn monetary bill credits at the full retail rate but 2026 Netting projects pay a $0.0402/kWh charge on production. Netting therefore credits exports at retail (net metering), with a production charge.^[5]

We have not added every Connecticut utility yet, so the estimates on this page use the state-level rule: Connecticut net metering: exports credited at the retail rate (statewide rule; your utility's tariff may differ).^[5]

Full Connecticut net metering and export-credit rules →

Next steps

Run the solar calculator with Connecticut defaults and your own bill.
Connecticut solar incentives
Connecticut net metering and export credits
How to vet installers in Connecticut
Spot solar sales red flags and compare financing before you sign.

Frequently asked questions

How much do solar panels cost in Connecticut?

At the state median installed price of $3.30 per watt est.^[3], a 6.5 kW est.^[1,2] system that covers a typical home's use costs about $21,500 est.^[1,2,3] before incentives. Quotes vary with roof, equipment and installer.

How long does solar take to pay for itself in Connecticut?

For a cash purchase at the state's average electricity price of 27.47¢ per kWh^[4], our model estimates about 9 years est.^[1,2,3,4,5]. Your utility's export credit and rate plan matter a lot; see the export-credit table above.

Is there still a federal solar tax credit?

Not for homeowners who buy. The Federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D)^[7] does not apply to systems whose installation is completed after December 31, 2025. Leased and PPA systems are different: the company that owns the system may still claim a business credit.

Change log

Nov 5, 2026Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) Buy-All tariff: now "$0.3289/kWh for all production for 20 years (applications Jan 1-Dec 31, 2026); low-income adder +$0.055/kWh, economically distressed municipality adder +$0.0275/kWh" (active).

Nov 5, 2026What the rule says updated to “Solar Production Charge / Solar Energy Adjustment per kWh - $0.0402 For Netting Tariff projects, the Currently Applicable Retail Rate for all customers will be calculated” (Residential Renewable Energy Solutions - Program Manual, Version 2026.1).