How many solar panels do you need for 2,000 kWh a month?

About 41 panels (17.2 kW) in the median American city, covering roughly 965 square feet of roof. At today’s prices that system costs $43k to $65k before incentives. Where you live changes the count by up to 60%.

A new two-storey American house with a garage and a young tree — 41 panels of 420 W make about 24,000 kWh a year in a typical U.S. city.

Panels (420 W)41median U.S. city

System size17.2kW

Roof space965ft²including gaps

Price range$43k–$65kbefore incentives

Panels needed for 2,000 kWh a month, by city

City	kWh per kW	System	Panels
Seattle, WA	1,125	21.3 kW	51
Portland, OR	1,170	20.5 kW	49
San Francisco, CA	1,527	15.7 kW	38
Los Angeles, CA	1,707	14.1 kW	34
Phoenix, AZ	1,781	13.5 kW	33
Las Vegas, NV	1,804	13.3 kW	32
Denver, CO	1,605	15.0 kW	36
Salt Lake City, UT	1,556	15.4 kW	37
Dallas, TX	1,467	16.4 kW	39
Houston, TX	1,401	17.1 kW	41
Minneapolis, MN	1,311	18.3 kW	44
Chicago, IL	1,253	19.2 kW	46
Detroit, MI	1,236	19.4 kW	47
Atlanta, GA	1,367	17.6 kW	42
Miami, FL	1,499	16.0 kW	39
Charlotte, NC	1,405	17.1 kW	41
Washington, DC	1,318	18.2 kW	44
New York, NY	1,296	18.5 kW	45
Boston, MA	1,274	18.8 kW	45

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: 41 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.