Solar Panel Calculator for Indianapolis, IN
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Indianapolis, IN, using local NREL sunshine data, Indiana prices and electricity rates.
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Indianapolis gets about 4.73 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,342 kWh a year. That ranks #73 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Jun and is lowest in Dec.
Sunshine in Indianapolis by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Indianapolis
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.81 | 600 kWh | $102 |
| Feb | 3.63 | 680 kWh | $116 |
| Mar | 4.41 | 896 kWh | $153 |
| Apr | 5.20 | 976 kWh | $166 |
| May | 5.79 | 1,088 kWh | $185 |
| Jun | 6.60 | 1,176 kWh | $200 |
| Jul | 6.28 | 1,152 kWh | $196 |
| Aug | 6.44 | 1,176 kWh | $200 |
| Sep | 5.52 | 1,000 kWh | $170 |
| Oct | 4.31 | 840 kWh | $143 |
| Nov | 3.27 | 656 kWh | $112 |
| Dec | 2.44 | 512 kWh | $87 |
| Year | 4.73 | 10,736 kWh | $1,829 |
Savings at 17.04¢ per kWh (Indiana average), with every kWh credited at that price.
Cost and payback by system size
At $2.59 per watt, the Indiana average, before incentives.
| System | Cost | Year 1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $10,360 | $915 | 11.6 yrs | $11,187 |
| 6 kW | $15,540 | $1,372 | 11.6 yrs | $16,780 |
| 8 kW | $20,720 | $1,829 | 11.6 yrs | $22,374 |
| 10 kW | $25,900 | $2,287 | 11.6 yrs | $27,967 |
| 12 kW | $31,080 | $2,744 | 11.6 yrs | $33,560 |
How many panels you need in Indianapolis
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 4.47 kW | 12 |
| 750 kWh | 6.71 kW | 17 |
| 1,000 kWh | 8.94 kW | 23 |
| 1,500 kWh | 13.41 kW | 34 |
| 2,000 kWh | 17.88 kW | 45 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,342 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Indianapolis?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $20,720 before incentives, saves about $1,829 in its first year and pays back in about 11.6 years.
How many peak sun hours does Indianapolis get?
About 4.73 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 2.4 in Dec to 6.6 in Jun, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Indianapolis?
About 1,342 kWh a year, or 112 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