New York vs California - Solar Energy Comparison
NY
New York
Installations
161,816
Capacity
7,765 MW
Avg Cost
$4.47/W
System Size
48.0 kW
CA
California
Installations
1,921,220
Capacity
17,997 MW
Avg Cost
$4.46/W
System Size
9.4 kW
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York | California |
|---|---|---|
| Total Installations | 161,816 | 1,921,220 |
| Total Capacity (MW) | 7,765 | 17,997 |
| Avg Cost ($/W) | $4.47 | $4.46 |
| Median Cost ($/W) | $4.20 | $4.25 |
| Avg System Size (kW) | 48.0 | 9.4 |
| Residential % | 94% | 98% |
New York - Cost Trend ($/W)
New York Cost per Watt
California - Cost Trend ($/W)
California Cost per Watt
Verdict: Which State Is Better for Solar?
Californiaedges ahead overall
- California has more installations (1,921,220 vs 161,816)
- California has lower average cost ($4.46/W vs $4.47/W)
- California has more total capacity (17,997 MW vs 7,765 MW)
Note: The best state for solar depends on your specific situation, including roof orientation, local utility rates, and available financing.
Source: LBNL Tracking the Sun / U.S. Department of Energy