Solar sizing by electric bill
How many solar panels do you need for a $150 electric bill?
Headline estimate for California
- Implied monthly use
- 455 kWh
- System size
- 2.8–3.5 kW
- Panel count
- 7–9
- First-year savings
- $1,197–$1,496
$0.33/kWh, as of Aug 2026.
Range sized around implied annual use.
Panel estimate from the published data model.
Modeled estimate, not a quote.
Compare all eight states
The same bill maps to different usage and system sizes at each published state rate.
| State | Monthly use | System size | Panels | First-year savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 455 kWh | 2.8–3.5 kW | 7–9 | $1,197–$1,496 |
| Arizona | 985 kWh | 5.3–6.4 kW | 14–16 | $978–$1,181 |
| Texas | 938 kWh | 6.5–8 kW | 17–20 | $983–$1,210 |
| Florida | 1,000 kWh | 6.6–8 kW | 17–20 | $1,628–$1,973 |
| Nevada | 1,071 kWh | 5.9–7.2 kW | 15–18 | $1,413–$1,724 |
| Colorado | 1,000 kWh | 6.7–8.2 kW | 17–21 | $1,621–$1,984 |
| North Carolina | 1,250 kWh | 9.1–11.1 kW | 23–28 | $1,050–$1,281 |
| Georgia | 947 kWh | 6.6–8.1 kW | 17–21 | $1,091–$1,339 |
| New Jersey | 652 kWh | 5.5–6.8 kW | 14–17 | $1,609–$1,989 |
| Massachusetts | 517 kWh | 4.3–5.2 kW | 11–13 | $1,625–$1,965 |
| South Carolina | 938 kWh | 6.5–8 kW | 17–20 | $958–$1,179 |
| Pennsylvania | 682 kWh | 5.7–6.9 kW | 15–18 | $1,634–$1,978 |
| Ohio | 750 kWh | 6.4–7.8 kW | 16–20 | $977–$1,191 |
| Maryland | 682 kWh | 5.5–6.7 kW | 14–17 | $1,614–$1,966 |
| Illinois | 625 kWh | 5.3–6.5 kW | 14–17 | $930–$1,141 |
| Virginia | 833 kWh | 6.4–7.9 kW | 16–20 | $1,608–$1,985 |
| Connecticut | 556 kWh | 4.6–5.6 kW | 12–14 | $1,377–$1,677 |
| New York | 500 kWh | 4.5–5.5 kW | 12–14 | $1,543–$1,886 |
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a $150 bill represent?
In California, the highest-rate state in this comparison, it implies about 455 kWh per month at the published residential rate of $0.33/kWh.
Is this a solar quote?
No. This is an estimate, not a quote. Your usage, rate, roof orientation, shading, and available roof area determine the actual recommendation.
Why do estimates differ by state?
The same bill can represent different electricity use because residential rates, solar exposure, self-consumption, and export compensation vary by state.
Check the roof behind the bill
Use your address to check orientation, shading, and usable roof area before treating a range as a recommendation.