Solar Panel Calculator for Fresno, CA
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Fresno, CA, using local NREL sunshine data, California prices and electricity rates.
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Fresno gets about 6.04 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,605 kWh a year. That ranks #14 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Jul and is lowest in Jan.
Sunshine in Fresno by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Fresno
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.98 | 576 kWh | $188 |
| Feb | 4.54 | 784 kWh | $255 |
| Mar | 6.00 | 1,120 kWh | $365 |
| Apr | 6.72 | 1,184 kWh | $386 |
| May | 7.51 | 1,360 kWh | $443 |
| Jun | 8.07 | 1,344 kWh | $438 |
| Jul | 8.10 | 1,384 kWh | $451 |
| Aug | 7.88 | 1,352 kWh | $440 |
| Sep | 7.14 | 1,216 kWh | $396 |
| Oct | 5.73 | 1,040 kWh | $339 |
| Nov | 4.50 | 824 kWh | $268 |
| Dec | 3.35 | 648 kWh | $211 |
| Year | 6.04 | 12,840 kWh | $4,183 |
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 | $2,092 | 4.9 yrs | $39,190 |
| 6 kW | $15,120 | $3,137 | 4.9 yrs | $58,786 |
| 8 kW | $20,160 | $4,183 | 4.9 yrs | $78,381 |
| 10 kW | $25,200 | $5,229 | 4.9 yrs | $97,976 |
| 12 kW | $30,240 | $6,275 | 4.9 yrs | $117,571 |
How many panels you need in Fresno
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 3.74 kW | 10 |
| 750 kWh | 5.61 kW | 15 |
| 1,000 kWh | 7.48 kW | 19 |
| 1,500 kWh | 11.21 kW | 29 |
| 2,000 kWh | 14.95 kW | 38 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,605 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Fresno?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $20,160 before incentives, saves about $4,183 in its first year and pays back in about 4.9 years.
How many peak sun hours does Fresno get?
About 6.04 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 3.0 in Jan to 8.1 in Jul, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Fresno?
About 1,605 kWh a year, or 134 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