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Solar in San Mateo County, CA

Solar panels in San Mateo, CA

5 peak sun hours per day. See what the data says about San Mateo, then check your specific roof free.

Utility territory: PG&E

Local context

What limits San Mateo roofs

San Mateo averages 5 peak sun hours per day in the regional data. Roof orientation, usable area, and shade can reduce production further for an individual property.

Solar data for San Mateo

Peak sun hours / day
5 hrs

Modeled annual average.

Typical system size
4–7 kW

Residential, based on typical household load.

Estimated first-year savings
$1,550–$2,650

Per year for a typical 4–7 kW system. The high end assumes the larger array.

Roofs suitable for solar
55–68%

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

Estimate your first-year solar savings

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

kW

Typical homes: 4–7 kW.

$/ kWh

Prefilled with the state residential average.

Estimated first-year savings

$2,100/ yr

$1,550–$2,650/yr for a typical 4–7 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 San Mateo get for solar?

San Mateo receives approximately 5 peak sun hours per day on average, based on modeled regional data.

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

For a typical 4–7 kW system in San Mateo, first-year savings are estimated at $1,550–$2,650 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.

What can limit solar production in San Mateo?

San Mateo averages 5 peak sun hours per day in the regional data. Roof orientation, usable area, and shade can reduce production further for an individual property.

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

Ready to check your roof in San Mateo?

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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