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Solar panels in Delta, BC

Roofs in Delta get about 1,194 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 98% 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.

1,194Sun hours / yr
27Panels typical
CA$30,780Cost after credit
22.9 yrPayback
Be careful in Delta. At a 22.9-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 Delta → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.

What a typical Delta solar system costs

A 27-panel system (10.8 kW) is about right for an average Delta home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,961 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.

Estimated economics by system size in Delta, at 12.4¢/kWh
SystemSizekWh/yr Net costSaves/yrPayback
8 panels3.2 kW 3,248CA$9,120 CA$403 22.6 yrs
12 panels4.8 kW 4,872CA$13,680 CA$604 22.6 yrs
16 panels6.4 kW 6,495CA$18,240 CA$805 22.6 yrs
20 panels8 kW 8,119CA$22,800 CA$1,007 22.6 yrs
26 panels10.4 kW 10,555CA$29,640 CA$1,309 22.6 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 Delta gets 1,194 sun hours

That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Delta — 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 Delta reaches about 1,310 hours, roughly 10% better than typical.

The numbers behind this page

Typical usable sunlight1,194 hrs/yr
Unshaded roof1,310 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 generated34%
Paid for exported powerfull retail (net metering)
Rooftops sampled here7
Google imagery from2014

Nearby cities

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

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

Delta solar questions

How many solar panels do I need in Delta?

About 27 panels for an average home. Delta roofs get 1,194 usable sun hours a year, so each 400W panel produces roughly 406 kWh annually.

Is solar worth it in Delta?

At 12.4¢/kWh and 1,194 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 22.9 years and returns roughly CA$2,825 over 25 years. That is slower than the national average, so compare quotes carefully.

How much do solar panels cost in Delta?

A 10.8 kW system costs about CA$30,780 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 Do panels work in winter?Guide How many panels do I need?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.