Solar Panels in Sacramento, CA

Sacramento gets 5.5 peak sun hours/day with electricity at $0.25/kWh. Calculate panels needed, installed cost, and payback period (updated for 2026 — no federal credit).

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
Installed Cost
$127,680
Savings/yr
$18,309
Payback
7.0 yrs
25-Yr Savings
$330,045

System Sizes in Sacramento

Monthly kWhPanelskWInstalled CostSavings/yrPayback
500104.0$11,200$1,6067.0 yrs
750156.0$16,800$2,4097.0 yrs
1,000197.6$21,280$3,0517.0 yrs
1,5002911.6$32,480$4,6577.0 yrs
2,0003815.2$42,560$6,1037.0 yrs
2,5004819.2$53,760$7,7097.0 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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See also: Solar in California

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