Solar Panel Calculator for Memphis, TN
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Memphis, TN, using local NREL sunshine data, Tennessee prices and electricity rates.
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Memphis gets about 5.10 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,427 kWh a year. That ranks #55 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Jun and is lowest in Dec.
Sunshine in Memphis by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Memphis
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3.56 | 728 kWh | $100 |
| Feb | 3.67 | 672 kWh | $93 |
| Mar | 4.92 | 976 kWh | $135 |
| Apr | 5.62 | 1,040 kWh | $144 |
| May | 6.31 | 1,184 kWh | $163 |
| Jun | 6.66 | 1,176 kWh | $162 |
| Jul | 6.25 | 1,128 kWh | $156 |
| Aug | 6.45 | 1,160 kWh | $160 |
| Sep | 5.63 | 1,000 kWh | $138 |
| Oct | 5.22 | 992 kWh | $137 |
| Nov | 3.77 | 728 kWh | $100 |
| Dec | 3.13 | 640 kWh | $88 |
| Year | 5.10 | 11,416 kWh | $1,575 |
Savings at 13.80¢ per kWh (Tennessee average), with every kWh credited at that price.
Cost and payback by system size
At $3.48 per watt, the Tennessee average, before incentives.
| System | Cost | Year 1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $13,920 | $788 | 18.5 yrs | $4,635 |
| 6 kW | $20,880 | $1,182 | 18.5 yrs | $6,953 |
| 8 kW | $27,840 | $1,575 | 18.5 yrs | $9,270 |
| 10 kW | $34,800 | $1,969 | 18.5 yrs | $11,588 |
| 12 kW | $41,760 | $2,363 | 18.5 yrs | $13,905 |
How many panels you need in Memphis
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 4.20 kW | 11 |
| 750 kWh | 6.31 kW | 16 |
| 1,000 kWh | 8.41 kW | 22 |
| 1,500 kWh | 12.61 kW | 32 |
| 2,000 kWh | 16.82 kW | 43 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,427 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Memphis?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $27,840 before incentives, saves about $1,575 in its first year and pays back in about 18.5 years.
How many peak sun hours does Memphis get?
About 5.10 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 3.1 in Dec to 6.7 in Jun, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Memphis?
About 1,427 kWh a year, or 119 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