Solar Panel Calculator for Bakersfield, CA
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Bakersfield, CA, using local NREL sunshine data, California prices and electricity rates.
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Bakersfield gets about 6.18 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,673 kWh a year. That ranks #12 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Jun and is lowest in Jan.
Sunshine in Bakersfield by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Bakersfield
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3.26 | 640 kWh | $209 |
| Feb | 4.80 | 832 kWh | $271 |
| Mar | 6.08 | 1,160 kWh | $378 |
| Apr | 7.16 | 1,280 kWh | $417 |
| May | 7.69 | 1,408 kWh | $459 |
| Jun | 8.17 | 1,408 kWh | $459 |
| Jul | 7.94 | 1,392 kWh | $454 |
| Aug | 7.72 | 1,352 kWh | $440 |
| Sep | 7.23 | 1,248 kWh | $407 |
| Oct | 5.97 | 1,112 kWh | $362 |
| Nov | 4.24 | 792 kWh | $258 |
| Dec | 3.86 | 768 kWh | $250 |
| Year | 6.18 | 13,384 kWh | $4,361 |
Savings at 32.58¢ per kWh (California average), with every kWh credited at that price.
Cost and payback by system size
At $2.52 per watt, the California average, before incentives.
| System | Cost | Year 1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $10,080 | $2,180 | 4.7 yrs | $41,278 |
| 6 kW | $15,120 | $3,270 | 4.7 yrs | $61,917 |
| 8 kW | $20,160 | $4,361 | 4.7 yrs | $82,556 |
| 10 kW | $25,200 | $5,451 | 4.7 yrs | $103,195 |
| 12 kW | $30,240 | $6,541 | 4.7 yrs | $123,834 |
How many panels you need in Bakersfield
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 3.59 kW | 9 |
| 750 kWh | 5.38 kW | 14 |
| 1,000 kWh | 7.17 kW | 18 |
| 1,500 kWh | 10.76 kW | 27 |
| 2,000 kWh | 14.35 kW | 36 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,673 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Bakersfield?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $20,160 before incentives, saves about $4,361 in its first year and pays back in about 4.7 years.
How many peak sun hours does Bakersfield get?
About 6.18 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 3.3 in Jan to 8.2 in Jun, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Bakersfield?
About 1,673 kWh a year, or 139 kWh a month on average.
Is there a federal solar tax credit?
Not for homeowners who buy their system. The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Sources
- NREL PVWatts V8 API (south-facing, 20° tilt, 14% losses, typical-year weather): https://developer.nlr.gov/docs/solar/pvwatts/v8/
- EnergySage, Solar panel cost by state (updated November 6, 2026): https://www.energysage.com/local-data/solar-panel-cost/
- U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (residential price, Jan–Aug 2026): https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_b