Solar Panel Calculator for Reno, NV
Estimate the cost, savings and payback of solar panels in Reno, NV, using local NREL sunshine data, Nevada prices and electricity rates.
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Reno gets about 6.02 peak sun hours a day on a south-facing roof, so each kW of panels makes about 1,663 kWh a year. That ranks #15 of the 111 cities on this site. Output peaks in Jun and is lowest in Jan.
Sunshine in Reno by month
What an 8 kW system makes in Reno
| Month | Sun hours a day | Output | Bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3.43 | 696 kWh | $93 |
| Feb | 4.88 | 880 kWh | $118 |
| Mar | 5.85 | 1,152 kWh | $154 |
| Apr | 6.54 | 1,208 kWh | $161 |
| May | 7.25 | 1,344 kWh | $180 |
| Jun | 8.18 | 1,432 kWh | $191 |
| Jul | 7.97 | 1,392 kWh | $186 |
| Aug | 7.92 | 1,400 kWh | $187 |
| Sep | 6.95 | 1,216 kWh | $162 |
| Oct | 5.63 | 1,072 kWh | $143 |
| Nov | 4.15 | 800 kWh | $107 |
| Dec | 3.47 | 712 kWh | $95 |
| Year | 6.02 | 13,304 kWh | $1,777 |
Savings at 13.36¢ per kWh (Nevada average), with every kWh credited at that price.
Cost and payback by system size
At $2.35 per watt, the Nevada average, before incentives.
| System | Cost | Year 1 savings | Payback | 25-yr gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kW | $9,400 | $889 | 10.8 yrs | $11,534 |
| 6 kW | $14,100 | $1,333 | 10.8 yrs | $17,302 |
| 8 kW | $18,800 | $1,777 | 10.8 yrs | $23,069 |
| 10 kW | $23,500 | $2,222 | 10.8 yrs | $28,836 |
| 12 kW | $28,200 | $2,666 | 10.8 yrs | $34,603 |
How many panels you need in Reno
| Monthly use | System | 400 W panels |
|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 3.61 kW | 10 |
| 750 kWh | 5.41 kW | 14 |
| 1,000 kWh | 7.22 kW | 19 |
| 1,500 kWh | 10.82 kW | 28 |
| 2,000 kWh | 14.43 kW | 37 |
Covering 100% of a year's use at 1,663 kWh per kW.
Common questions
Is solar worth it in Reno?
At local averages an 8 kW system costs about $18,800 before incentives, saves about $1,777 in its first year and pays back in about 10.8 years.
How many peak sun hours does Reno get?
About 6.02 a day over the year on a south-facing roof at 20°, from 3.4 in Jan to 8.2 in Jun, according to NREL's PVWatts model.
How much does a 1 kW solar system produce in Reno?
About 1,663 kWh a year, or 139 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