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Solar in Butte County, CA

Solar panels in Chico, CA

5.7 peak sun hours per day. See what the data says about Chico, then check your specific roof free.

Utility territory: PG&E

Solar data for Chico

Peak sun hours / day
5.7 hrs

Modeled annual average.

Typical system size
5–9 kW

Residential, based on typical household load.

Estimated first-year savings
$2,200–$3,900

Per year for a typical 5–9 kW system. The high end assumes the larger array.

Roofs suitable for solar
65–77%

Modeled from regional adoption data.

Primary utility
PG&E

Contact your utility for current net billing enrollment status.

Net metering / billing
NEM 3.0 (Net Billing)

Under California's Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0, April 2023), exported power earns avoided-cost rates (~$0.02–0.08/kWh); self-consumed solar saves at full retail rate, so battery storage maximizes value.

Estimates use the average California current utility rate (before solar) of $0.33/kWh (EIA, retrieved Aug 2026) and modeled solar production; individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading.

Personalized estimate

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Start with your bill or adjust the rate and typical system size for Chico.

kW

Typical homes: 5–9 kW.

$/ kWh

Prefilled with the state residential average.

Estimated first-year savings

$3,050/ yr

$2,200–$3,900/yr for a typical 5–9 kW system — the low end is a smaller array, the high end a larger one.

Estimate — individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading. Assumes an 85% system derate and 70% self-consumption; exported energy uses the local net-billing estimate.

City averages are a starting point — check your address for your verified result.

Frequently asked questions

How much sun does Chico get for solar?

Chico receives approximately 5.7 peak sun hours per day on average, based on modeled regional data.

What is the estimated first-year savings from solar in Chico?

For a typical 5–9 kW system in Chico, first-year savings are estimated at $2,200–$3,900 per year: the low end uses the smaller system, while the high end is up to the larger system. Estimates use the average California current utility rate (before solar) of $0.33/kWh (EIA, retrieved Aug 2026) and modeled solar production; individual results vary with your rate, usage, roof orientation, and shading. These are educational estimates, not guarantees.

Why does Chico have strong solar exposure?

Chico's 5.7 average daily peak sun hours are above many California cities in this dataset. Roof orientation, usable area, and shade still determine the result for an individual property.

Data source: City figures are modeled estimates for general guidance, not a quote for any specific property.

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The city data above is a regional estimate. Enter your address to get a personalized result based on your actual roof.

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