Solar Panel Calculator for Los Angeles, CA
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Los Angeles, CA, using local NREL sunshine data, California prices and electricity rates.
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Los Angeles gets about 6.14 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,692 kWh a year. That ranks #13 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Aug and is lowest in Dec.
Sunshine in Los Angeles by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Los Angeles
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.61 | 904 kWh | $295 |
| Feb | 5.16 | 904 kWh | $295 |
| Mar | 6.27 | 1,184 kWh | $386 |
| Apr | 6.86 | 1,240 kWh | $404 |
| May | 6.88 | 1,280 kWh | $417 |
| Jun | 6.94 | 1,240 kWh | $404 |
| Jul | 7.52 | 1,368 kWh | $446 |
| Aug | 7.56 | 1,368 kWh | $446 |
| Sep | 6.91 | 1,224 kWh | $399 |
| Oct | 5.75 | 1,072 kWh | $349 |
| Nov | 5.09 | 944 kWh | $308 |
| Dec | 4.12 | 816 kWh | $266 |
| Year | 6.14 | 13,536 kWh | $4,410 |
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 | $2,205 | 4.6 yrs | $41,861 |
| 6 kW | $15,120 | $3,308 | 4.6 yrs | $62,792 |
| 8 kW | $20,160 | $4,410 | 4.6 yrs | $83,722 |
| 10 kW | $25,200 | $5,513 | 4.6 yrs | $104,653 |
| 12 kW | $30,240 | $6,615 | 4.6 yrs | $125,584 |
How many panels you need in Los Angeles
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 3.55 kW | 9 |
| 750 kWh | 5.32 kW | 14 |
| 1,000 kWh | 7.09 kW | 18 |
| 1,500 kWh | 10.64 kW | 27 |
| 2,000 kWh | 14.18 kW | 36 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,692 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Los Angeles?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $20,160 before incentives, saves about $4,410 in its first year and pays back in about 4.6 years.
How many peak sun hours does Los Angeles get?
About 6.14 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 4.1 in Dec to 7.6 in Aug, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Los Angeles?
About 1,692 kWh a year, or 141 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