Solar Panels in Sacramento, CA
Sacramento gets 5.5 peak sun hours/day with electricity at $0.25/kWh. Calculate panels needed, cost after 30% ITC, and payback period.
Sun Hours
5.5/day
Rate
$0.25/kWh
Cost/Watt
$2.8
Net Metering
NEM 3.0 / SMUD rate
☀️ Sacramento Solar Calculator
6,000 kWh
Panels
114
System Size
45.6 kW
Annual kWh
73,234
Net Cost
$89,376
Savings/yr
$18,309
Payback
4.9 yrs
25-Yr Savings
$368,349
System Sizes in Sacramento
| Monthly kWh | Panels | kW | Net Cost | Savings/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | 10 | 4.0 | $7,840 | $1,606 | 4.9 yrs |
| 750 | 15 | 6.0 | $11,760 | $2,409 | 4.9 yrs |
| 1,000 | 19 | 7.6 | $14,896 | $3,051 | 4.9 yrs |
| 1,500 | 29 | 11.6 | $22,736 | $4,657 | 4.9 yrs |
| 2,000 | 38 | 15.2 | $29,792 | $6,103 | 4.9 yrs |
| 2,500 | 48 | 19.2 | $37,632 | $7,709 | 4.9 yrs |
Solar Guide for Sacramento (2026)
Sacramento at latitude 38.58°N receives 5.5 peak sun hours/day. At $0.25/kWh, solar offers exceptional long-term savings.
Incentives: Federal ITC + SMUD solar incentives.
NEC Solar Requirements
All installations must comply with NEC Article 690: rapid shutdown (690.12), conductor sizing at 125% (690.8), and proper grounding per NEC 250. Use our Solar Wire Size Calculator for conductor sizing.
Disclaimer: Estimates only. Consult a licensed solar installer. NEC Article 690 compliance required.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Solar Calculator by City
New York City
3.6 hrs · $0.225/kWh
Los Angeles
5.6 hrs · $0.28/kWh
Chicago
3.9 hrs · $0.155/kWh
Houston
5 hrs · $0.135/kWh
Phoenix
6.6 hrs · $0.138/kWh
Philadelphia
3.9 hrs · $0.162/kWh
San Antonio
5.3 hrs · $0.125/kWh
San Diego
5.7 hrs · $0.35/kWh
Dallas
5.1 hrs · $0.13/kWh
Austin
5.2 hrs · $0.125/kWh
Denver
5.5 hrs · $0.148/kWh
Miami
5.3 hrs · $0.148/kWh
Atlanta
4.7 hrs · $0.135/kWh
Seattle
3.2 hrs · $0.115/kWh
Boston
3.8 hrs · $0.27/kWh
Las Vegas
6.4 hrs · $0.13/kWh
Portland
3.5 hrs · $0.13/kWh
Minneapolis
4 hrs · $0.145/kWh
Tampa
5.4 hrs · $0.142/kWh
Charlotte
4.7 hrs · $0.128/kWh
San Francisco
5 hrs · $0.3/kWh
Detroit
3.5 hrs · $0.185/kWh
Nashville
4.4 hrs · $0.125/kWh
Salt Lake City
5.3 hrs · $0.115/kWh
Raleigh
4.7 hrs · $0.125/kWh
Orlando
5.3 hrs · $0.145/kWh
San Jose
5.3 hrs · $0.3/kWh
Tucson
6.4 hrs · $0.135/kWh
Albuquerque
6.2 hrs · $0.14/kWh
See also: Solar in California