Solar sizing by electric bill
How many solar panels do you need for a $400 electric bill?
Headline estimate for California
- Implied monthly use
- 1,212 kWh
- System size
- 7.5–9.2 kW
- Panel count
- 19–23
- First-year savings
- $3,206–$3,932
$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 | 1,212 kWh | 7.5–9.2 kW | 19–23 | $3,206–$3,932 |
| Arizona | 2,626 kWh | 14.1–17.2 kW | 36–43 | $2,602–$3,174 |
| Texas | 2,500 kWh | 17.4–21.3 kW | 44–54 | $2,632–$3,222 |
| Florida | 2,667 kWh | 17.5–21.4 kW | 44–54 | $4,316–$5,278 |
| Nevada | 2,857 kWh | 15.8–19.3 kW | 40–49 | $3,783–$4,621 |
| Colorado | 2,667 kWh | 17.9–21.8 kW | 45–55 | $4,332–$5,275 |
| North Carolina | 3,333 kWh | 24.2–29.5 kW | 61–74 | $2,793–$3,405 |
| Georgia | 2,525 kWh | 17.6–21.5 kW | 44–54 | $2,909–$3,554 |
| New Jersey | 1,739 kWh | 14.8–18 kW | 37–45 | $4,330–$5,266 |
| Massachusetts | 1,379 kWh | 11.4–14 kW | 29–35 | $4,308–$5,290 |
| South Carolina | 2,500 kWh | 17.4–21.3 kW | 44–54 | $2,564–$3,139 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,818 kWh | 15.1–18.4 kW | 38–46 | $4,329–$5,275 |
| Ohio | 2,000 kWh | 17–20.8 kW | 43–52 | $2,595–$3,175 |
| Maryland | 1,818 kWh | 14.7–18 kW | 37–45 | $4,314–$5,283 |
| Illinois | 1,667 kWh | 14.2–17.3 kW | 36–44 | $2,493–$3,037 |
| Virginia | 2,222 kWh | 17.2–21 kW | 43–53 | $4,322–$5,277 |
| Connecticut | 1,481 kWh | 12.3–15 kW | 31–38 | $3,683–$4,492 |
| New York | 1,333 kWh | 11.9–14.5 kW | 30–37 | $4,081–$4,972 |
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a $400 bill represent?
In California, the highest-rate state in this comparison, it implies about 1,212 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.