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Dec 31 2025
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Best Solar Inverters for Homeowners in 2026

By Best Solar Panels for Homes in 2026, Solar Panels for Home No Comments

While many homeowners agonize about selecting the right solar panel or battery storage system for their home, the expert Energy Advisors at solar.com know the real secret is to select the right inverter. Why? Because the inverter is the brain of your solar system, and it’s also, historically, the device that has the highest probability of failure, which can leave you in the dark (literally and figuratively). 

A solar inverter’s main function is to switch DC power created by solar panels into AC power that’s usable for your home appliances. They also collect and transmit valuable data to help you monitor the production and health of your solar system.

Just like solar.com’s picks for best solar panels and batteries, the best inverter for your home depends on a number of factors. We’ve narrowed down the top products of 2026, but the best way to find which inverter is best for you is to review your options with an Energy Advisor.

 

 

Best all-around inverter: Enphase IQ8 series

Enphase has had #1 market share for residential solar inverters for the past several years because they continue to push the envelope of innovation, service, and reliability. What makes Enphase unique is its microinverter design—a small, individual inverter on each solar panel—helping ensure maximum output and efficiency. It’s also simple to design and install and comes with Enphase’s award-winning monitoring app. 

And new with the IQ8 series, Enphase now offers “Sunglight backup,” which allows your solar array to work grid independent, even without a battery. Please note that if you’d like your array to be configured for sunlight back-up, there are a lot more components and technical work that go into it —a standalone IQ8 series inverter from Enphase will not work if the grid goes down. 

Image showing Enphase IQ8 microinverted and Enlighten mobile app

Things to consider with Enphase IQ8 inverters

Enphase continues to push design and innovation in the solar hardware and software space. Because of their microinverter architecture, there are different IQ8 series microinverters, which pair with specific solar panels. For example, the very popular REC Pure Rx 450 – 460w module only couples with the Enphase IQ8X series microinverter due to the high voltage window of the REC module. 

Due to the higher number of components in an Enphase system relative to a string inverter, typically the cost of an Enphase array is higher, but that cost can be rationalized against the high reliability and performance for most homeowners looking to invest in solar. 

 

Best String Inverter: Tesla Solar Inverter

Whether you love or loathe the Tesla brand, you have to respect that they make a feature-packed and attractively priced inverter. Since it hit the market, the Tesla Solar Inverter has been steadily winning market share and showing its dominance in the space with both installers and homeowners liking it. 

Like all Tesla products, the solar inverter has a robust and feature-rich homeowner app. The 12.5-year warranty is backed by a strong balance sheet. In the unlikely event of a failure, Tesla is sure to stand behind it. 

image showing Tesla Solar Inverter and production monitoring on the Tesla App

Things to consider with a Tesla Solar Inverter

When the inverter was first launched, there were some teething pains and early failures. Those issues seem to be mostly behind them with the current products being installed. Because Tesla’s design is a “string” inverter, if you have a project with multiple roof arrays (different orientations, dormers, etc), the string design is not optimal. And, we have to acknowledge that not everyone wants a Tesla product on or in their home. 

 

 

Best new inverter: Q Cells Q.Tron AC solar module with built-in inverter

The Q.Tron AC module is actually a solar panel with a built-in microinverter. And, since we named it “Rookie of the Year” in our best solar panels for 2026 ranking, it should come as no surprise that we think they’re the best new inverter on the block too. 

Q Cells is a well-established solar panel manufacturer. Based in South Korea, they’ve made substantial investments in US manufacturing, with panels produced in Georgia and inverters produced in Michigan. With the Q.Tron AC Module, you get a panel and inverter manufactured in the US by the same company.

Image showing the Q.Tron AC Module with integrated inverted and the Q.Home mobile app

Things to consider with the Q.Tron AC Module

Simply put, inverters are tricky devices and have the highest probability of failure in most home solar systems. Q Cells has earned its stripes in panel manufacturing, but this first generation of inverters is something to keep a close eye on, especially since an inverter failure likely means replacing an entire module. And as new product, the Q.Tron AC Module may not be available through every installer. Finally, the Q.Home app is also not quite as user-friendly or data-rich as those offered by Tesla and Enphase. Likely not a deal-breaker for most homeowners, but it’s worth noting for those who like to dig deep into the data.

 

The bottom line – don’t overlook inverters!

Are inverter models as sexy to compare as solar panels and battery storage? Probably not. But are they important? Absolutely!

Choosing the right inverter is key to maximizing your solar production, increasing your savings, and monitoring the health of your solar system. To find the best inverter for your needs, connect with a solar.com Energy Advisor to review custom designs and proposals.

 

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Dec 29 2025
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How Much Does Electricity Cost

How Much Does Electricity Cost in Your State?

By How Do Solar Panels Lower Your Electric Bill?, The Pros and Cons of Rooftop Solar in 2026 No Comments

Like running water, the price of electricity is something we don’t typically worry about until after a high electricity bill arrives. But understanding how much electricity costs – and how the price changes over time – is the first step toward lowering your energy costs.

In this article, we’ll explore the cost of electricity in each state and how it affects your monthly electricity bill.

 

 

How Much Does Electricity Cost?

Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and its price is typically measured by how many cents each kilowatt-hour costs (cents/kWh). So, how much does a kilowatt-hour of electricity cost? It depends!

The national average cost of electricity is around 19 cents per kWh heading into 2026, according to the latest data from the Energy Information Administration. However, electricity prices vary from utility to utility, and the average cost per kilowatt-hour in the U.S. ranges from 12 to 40 cents — quite a spread!

Use the map below to see the average cost of electricity per kWh in your state.

Electricity Cost per kWh by State

Which states have the highest electric rates?

Hawaii consistently has the highest utility electricity rates in the country due largely to its reliance on imported petroleum for over 80% of its electricity generation. Heading into 2026, the average price of electricity is 40 cents per kilowatt-hour – 8 cents higher than the next closest state.

Top 10 states with the highest electricity rates in 2026:

Rank State Average residential electricity rate (cents/kWh)*
1 Hawaii 0.40
2 California 0.32
3 Connecticut 0.30
4 Massachusetts 0.30
5 Rhode Island 0.28
6 Maine 0.28
7 New Hampshire 0.28
8 New York 0.27
9 Alaska 0.27
10 Vermont 0.24

*Based on the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA)

Which state has the cheapest electricity?

The competition for the lowest electricity rates is much tougher than for the highest rates. Heading into 2026, Nevada, Louisiana, Idaho, and Tennessee offer some of the lowest rates in the US.

Top 10 states with the lowest electricity rates:

Rank State Average residential electricity rate (cents/kWh)*
51 Nevada 0.12
50 Louisiana 0.12
49 Idaho 0.13
48 Tennessee 0.13
47 Kentucky 0.14
46 North Dakota 0.14
45 Arkansas 0.14
44 Washington 0.14
43 Nebraska 0.14
42 Mississippi 0.14

*Based on the latest data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA)

How much does electricity cost per month?

The average monthly electricity bill in the US is $164 per month (not including fixed fees) based on utility rates for early 2026. This figure includes all housing types and sizes. However, electricity costs tend to vary based on:

  • The size of your house
  • The number of people using electricity in your home
  • Climate conditions
  • How you heat and cool it
  • Other large electricity loads (EV charging, pool pump, hot tub, electric water heating, etc)
  • Your utility rate plan (flat rates versus time-of-use rates)

The average bill also depends on local utility rates and electricity consumption.

For example, Louisiana has some of the cheapest grid electricity in the nation, but it also has the highest residential electricity consumption per household and therefore some of the highest monthly electricity costs. Meanwhile, Vermonters pay a premium for grid electricity, but use fewer than 600 kWh per month, on average, and therefore have relatively low electricity costs.

State Avg. electricity price Avg. monthly consumption Average electricity costs per month
Connecticut 30 cents per kWh 650 kWh $198
Louisiana 12 cents per kWh 1,232 kWh $152
Vermont 24 cents per kWh 562 kWh $134
New Mexico 16.5 cents per kWh 686 kWh $113

Every state has a unique combination of electricity prices and consumption that make up an average electric bill. While electricity consumption largely depends on heating and cooling needs based on climate conditions, utility rates are affected by a mess of economic and political market forces that are too much to untangle here.

The map below shows the average electric bill for each state in 2026, based on the latest available utility rate data. It's worth noting that electricity costs vary throughout the year depending on your consumption habits.

Until the last decade or so, homeowners could only lower their electricity costs by reducing their consumption. Now, homeowners can lower their electric bill by installing solar panels and setting a low, fixed rate for the electricity powering their home.

 

 

What costs the most on an electricity bill?

Heating, cooling, and home EV charging typically use the most electricity in a household and therefore cost the most on an electricity bill. Heating and cooling make up between 30-50% of the average household’s electricity consumption while charging an EV requires around 300 kWh per month for a driver traveling 37 miles per day (the national average).

It’s worth noting that heating and cooling can only realistically (and safely) be reduced so far in an era of extreme weather events, and EV charging is much cheaper than fueling a gas car.

So, it’s far more effective to lower your electricity rate than to shave down your heating, cooling, and EV charging usage.

Lower your electricity costs with solar

On average, utility electricity rates have increased by 26% since 2021. If you are unhappy with your electricity costs, connect with an Energy Advisor to design a custom solar system and compare binding quotes from local installers.