“The 50 States of Solar” Report — Q2 2026

A new quarterly report on state solar policy shows just how much rooftop solar rules are shifting around the country. In the second quarter of 2026, 45 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico, took some kind of action on distributed solar policy, adding up to 284 actions total. Most of that activity centered on net metering (the system that credits solar owners for extra power sent back to the grid), community solar programs, and changes to fixed monthly charges on utility bills. States with the most action included Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Maine, and Rhode Island.

Some notable moves: Connecticut lawmakers ordered new net-metering and community solar programs to replace expiring ones. Maryland did the same for net metering. Virginia regulators ruled on Dominion Energy's next net-metering program. An Arizona court struck down a grid access charge that Arizona Public Service had been charging solar customers. And Texas regulators approved a new rate structure for homeowners with solar in El Paso Electric's territory.

The report also flags a wave of bills in half the states aimed at making it easier to install plug-in solar systems — smaller, simpler setups that don't require the usual permitting hurdles, often aimed at renters or people who can't put a full system on their roof.

None of this changes rules in your state directly, but it shows that net metering rates, monthly fixed charges, and community solar options are actively being renegotiated almost everywhere. If you're weighing solar for your own house, it's worth checking whether your state is one of the many currently revising these programs, since the credit you'd get for excess power or the fees on your bill could look different by the time you install.