Solar Panel Calculator for Calgary, AB
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Calgary, AB, using local NREL sunshine data, provincial prices and the local electricity rate.
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Calgary gets about 4.33 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,233 kWh a year. That ranks #101 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Jul and is lowest in Dec.
Sunshine in Calgary by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Calgary
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1.91 | 400 kWh | C$92 |
| Feb | 3.02 | 568 kWh | C$130 |
| Mar | 4.30 | 880 kWh | C$202 |
| Apr | 5.55 | 1,056 kWh | C$242 |
| May | 6.19 | 1,176 kWh | C$269 |
| Jun | 6.27 | 1,120 kWh | C$256 |
| Jul | 6.95 | 1,264 kWh | C$289 |
| Aug | 6.12 | 1,128 kWh | C$258 |
| Sep | 4.64 | 848 kWh | C$194 |
| Oct | 3.10 | 624 kWh | C$143 |
| Nov | 2.19 | 440 kWh | C$101 |
| Dec | 1.76 | 368 kWh | C$84 |
| Year | 4.33 | 9,864 kWh | C$2,259 |
Savings at 22.90¢ per kWh, with every kWh credited at that price.
Cost and payback by system size
At C$2.71 per watt, the midpoint of the Alberta range, before incentives.
| System | Cost | Year 1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | C$10,840 | C$1,129 | 9.8 yrs | C$15,765 |
| 6 kW | C$16,260 | C$1,694 | 9.8 yrs | C$23,647 |
| 8 kW | C$21,680 | C$2,259 | 9.8 yrs | C$31,530 |
| 10 kW | C$27,100 | C$2,824 | 9.8 yrs | C$39,412 |
| 12 kW | C$32,520 | C$3,388 | 9.8 yrs | C$47,294 |
How many panels you need in Calgary
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 4.87 kW | 13 |
| 750 kWh | 7.30 kW | 19 |
| 1,000 kWh | 9.73 kW | 25 |
| 1,500 kWh | 14.60 kW | 37 |
| 2,000 kWh | 19.46 kW | 49 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,233 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Calgary?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about C$21,680 before incentives, saves about C$2,259 in its first year and pays back in about 9.8 years.
How many peak sun hours does Calgary get?
About 4.33 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 1.8 in Dec to 7.0 in Jul, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Calgary?
About 1,233 kWh a year, or 103 kWh a month on average.
Are there solar incentives in Canada?
Programs change often and differ by province and utility. Check with your provincial energy department and your utility before you buy.
Sources
- NREL PVWatts V8 API (south-facing, 20° tilt, 14% losses, typical-year weather): https://developer.nlr.gov/docs/solar/pvwatts/v8/
- Hydro-Québec, Comparison of Electricity Prices in Major North American Cities, 2025 (1,000 kWh a month, before tax): https://www.hydroquebec.com/data/documents-donnees/pdf/comparaison-prix-2025-en.pdf
- Green Building Canada, Solar panel costs in Canada by province (2026): https://greenbuildingcanada.ca/solar-panels-cost-canada/