How many solar panels do you need for 1,500 kWh a month?
About 31 panels (13.0 kW) in the median American city, covering roughly 730 square feet of roof. At today’s prices that system costs $33k to $49k before incentives. Where you live changes the count by up to 60%.
Panels (420 W)31median U.S. city
System size13.0kW
Roof space730ft²including gaps
Price range$33k–$49kbefore incentives
Panels needed for 1,500 kWh a month, by city
| City | kWh per kW | System | Panels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 1,125 | 16.0 kW | 39 |
| Portland, OR | 1,170 | 15.4 kW | 37 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,527 | 11.8 kW | 29 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1,707 | 10.5 kW | 26 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,781 | 10.1 kW | 25 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,804 | 10.0 kW | 24 |
| Denver, CO | 1,605 | 11.2 kW | 27 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 1,556 | 11.6 kW | 28 |
| Dallas, TX | 1,467 | 12.3 kW | 30 |
| Houston, TX | 1,401 | 12.8 kW | 31 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,311 | 13.7 kW | 33 |
| Chicago, IL | 1,253 | 14.4 kW | 35 |
| Detroit, MI | 1,236 | 14.6 kW | 35 |
| Atlanta, GA | 1,367 | 13.2 kW | 32 |
| Miami, FL | 1,499 | 12.0 kW | 29 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,405 | 12.8 kW | 31 |
| Washington, DC | 1,318 | 13.7 kW | 33 |
| New York, NY | 1,296 | 13.9 kW | 34 |
| Boston, MA | 1,274 | 14.1 kW | 34 |
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: 31 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.