How many solar panels do you need for 500 kWh a month?
About 11 panels (4.6 kW) in the median American city, covering roughly 259 square feet of roof. At today’s prices that system costs $12k to $17k before incentives. Where you live changes the count by up to 60%.
Panels (420 W)11median U.S. city
System size4.6kW
Roof space259ft²including gaps
Price range$12k–$17kbefore incentives
Panels needed for 500 kWh a month, by city
| City | kWh per kW | System | Panels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 1,125 | 5.3 kW | 13 |
| Portland, OR | 1,170 | 5.1 kW | 13 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1,527 | 3.9 kW | 10 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1,707 | 3.5 kW | 9 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 1,781 | 3.4 kW | 9 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,804 | 3.3 kW | 8 |
| Denver, CO | 1,605 | 3.7 kW | 9 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 1,556 | 3.9 kW | 10 |
| Dallas, TX | 1,467 | 4.1 kW | 10 |
| Houston, TX | 1,401 | 4.3 kW | 11 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,311 | 4.6 kW | 11 |
| Chicago, IL | 1,253 | 4.8 kW | 12 |
| Detroit, MI | 1,236 | 4.9 kW | 12 |
| Atlanta, GA | 1,367 | 4.4 kW | 11 |
| Miami, FL | 1,499 | 4.0 kW | 10 |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,405 | 4.3 kW | 11 |
| Washington, DC | 1,318 | 4.6 kW | 11 |
| New York, NY | 1,296 | 4.6 kW | 12 |
| Boston, MA | 1,274 | 4.7 kW | 12 |
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: 11 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.