How many solar panels do you need for 3,000 kWh a month?
About 61 panels (25.6 kW) in the median American city, covering roughly 1,436 square feet of roof. At today’s prices that system costs $64k to $96k before incentives. Where you live changes the count by up to 60%.
Panels (420 W)61median U.S. city
System size25.6kW
Roof space1,436ft²including gaps
Price range$64k–$96kbefore incentives
Panels needed for 3,000 kWh a month, by city
| City | kWh per kW | System | Panels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 1,125 | 32.0 kW | 77 |
| Portland, OR | 1,170 | 30.8 kW | 74 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,527 | 23.6 kW | 57 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1,707 | 21.1 kW | 51 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,781 | 20.2 kW | 49 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,804 | 20.0 kW | 48 |
| Denver, CO | 1,605 | 22.4 kW | 54 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 1,556 | 23.1 kW | 56 |
| Dallas, TX | 1,467 | 24.5 kW | 59 |
| Houston, TX | 1,401 | 25.7 kW | 62 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,311 | 27.5 kW | 66 |
| Chicago, IL | 1,253 | 28.7 kW | 69 |
| Detroit, MI | 1,236 | 29.1 kW | 70 |
| Atlanta, GA | 1,367 | 26.3 kW | 63 |
| Miami, FL | 1,499 | 24.0 kW | 58 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,405 | 25.6 kW | 62 |
| Washington, DC | 1,318 | 27.3 kW | 66 |
| New York, NY | 1,296 | 27.8 kW | 67 |
| Boston, MA | 1,274 | 28.3 kW | 68 |
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: 61 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.