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Solar panels in Coquitlam, BC

Roofs in Coquitlam get about 1,098 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 100% of the cities we've measured. Here's what that means in cost, savings and payback, using real rooftop data rather than a national average.

1,098Sun hours / yr
29Panels typical
CA$33,060Cost after credit
24.7 yrPayback
Be careful in Coquitlam. At a 24.7-year payback, solar here is a long-horizon decision, mostly because electricity is relatively cheap (12.4¢/kWh). It can still make sense if rates rise or you have local incentives — but check the numbers hard before signing.

Check your specific roof in Coquitlam → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.

What a typical Coquitlam solar system costs

A 29-panel system (11.6 kW) is about right for an average Coquitlam home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,826 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.

Estimated economics by system size in Coquitlam, at 12.4¢/kWh
SystemSizekWh/yr Net costSaves/yrPayback
8 panels3.2 kW 2,987CA$9,120 CA$370 24.6 yrs
12 panels4.8 kW 4,480CA$13,680 CA$556 24.6 yrs
16 panels6.4 kW 5,973CA$18,240 CA$741 24.6 yrs
20 panels8 kW 7,466CA$22,800 CA$926 24.6 yrs
26 panels10.4 kW 9,706CA$29,640 CA$1,204 24.6 yrs

Notice that payback barely improves as systems get bigger, and eventually gets worse. That's because you can only save money on electricity you were going to buy anyway. Once a system covers your usage, extra panels mostly generate exports at a much lower rate.

Why Coquitlam gets 1,098 sun hours

That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Coquitlam — it already accounts for shading from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings, which is why it's lower than the raw "hours of daylight" figures you'll see elsewhere. An unusually open, unshaded roof in Coquitlam reaches about 1,170 hours, roughly 7% better than typical.

The numbers behind this page

Typical usable sunlight1,098 hrs/yr
Unshaded roof1,170 hrs/yr
Electricity rate (British Columbia avg)12.4¢/kWh
Installed cost assumed$2.85/W
Panel size assumed400 W
Typical household usage10,800 kWh/yr
Power used as generated35%
Paid for exported powerfull retail (net metering)
Rooftops sampled here9
Google imagery from2022

Nearby cities

Solar panels in SurreyBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in BurnabyBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in LangleyBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in DeltaBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in VancouverBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in RichmondBritish Columbia

See all of British Columbia → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.

Coquitlam solar questions

How many solar panels do I need in Coquitlam?

About 29 panels for an average home. Coquitlam roofs get 1,098 usable sun hours a year, so each 400W panel produces roughly 373 kWh annually.

Is solar worth it in Coquitlam?

At 12.4¢/kWh and 1,098 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 24.7 years and returns roughly CA$440 over 25 years. That is slower than the national average, so compare quotes carefully.

How much do solar panels cost in Coquitlam?

A 11.6 kW system costs about CA$33,060 before incentives . Prices vary by installer, roof complexity and equipment.

Worth reading before you buy

What your utility pays for exportsChanges payback more than any equipment choice 12 questions to ask before signingIdentical systems vary 30–40% in price How long do panels last?Guide How long until it pays for itself?Guide

Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average British Columbia electricity rates. Not a quote and not financial advice. Your roof, usage, utility plan and local incentives will change these numbers — get real quotes before buying.