How many solar panels do you need for 1,000 kWh a month?
About 21 panels (8.8 kW) in the median American city, covering roughly 494 square feet of roof. At today’s prices that system costs $22k to $33k before incentives. Where you live changes the count by up to 60%.
Panels (420 W)21median U.S. city
System size8.8kW
Roof space494ft²including gaps
Price range$22k–$33kbefore incentives
Panels needed for 1,000 kWh a month, by city
| City | kWh per kW | System | Panels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 1,125 | 10.7 kW | 26 |
| Portland, OR | 1,170 | 10.3 kW | 25 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,527 | 7.9 kW | 19 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1,707 | 7.0 kW | 17 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,781 | 6.7 kW | 17 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,804 | 6.7 kW | 16 |
| Denver, CO | 1,605 | 7.5 kW | 18 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 1,556 | 7.7 kW | 19 |
| Dallas, TX | 1,467 | 8.2 kW | 20 |
| Houston, TX | 1,401 | 8.6 kW | 21 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,311 | 9.2 kW | 22 |
| Chicago, IL | 1,253 | 9.6 kW | 23 |
| Detroit, MI | 1,236 | 9.7 kW | 24 |
| Atlanta, GA | 1,367 | 8.8 kW | 21 |
| Miami, FL | 1,499 | 8.0 kW | 20 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,405 | 8.5 kW | 21 |
| Washington, DC | 1,318 | 9.1 kW | 22 |
| New York, NY | 1,296 | 9.3 kW | 23 |
| Boston, MA | 1,274 | 9.4 kW | 23 |
South-facing 25° roof, standard losses, 100% of yearly use. East or west roofs need about 10–20% more.
Month by month in Lincoln, NE
A typical-sunshine city: 21 panels over-produce from spring to autumn and fall short in winter. Net metering lets the summer surplus pay for the winter shortfall; net billing does not.