Solar panels in Dodge City, KS
Roofs in Dodge City get about 1,871 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 86% 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.
Check your specific roof in Dodge City → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Dodge City solar system costs
A 17-panel system (6.8 kW) is about right for an average Dodge City home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,814 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 5,089 | $6,384 | $718 | 8.9 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 7,634 | $9,576 | $1,076 | 8.9 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 10,178 | $12,768 | $1,435 | 8.9 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 12,723 | $15,960 | $1,591 | 10 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 16,540 | $20,748 | $1,725 | 12 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 Dodge City gets 1,871 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Dodge City — 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 Dodge City reaches about 1,947 hours, roughly 4% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,871 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,947 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Kansas avg) | 14.1¢/kWh |
| Installed cost assumed | $2.85/W |
| Panel size assumed | 400 W |
| Federal tax credit | 30% |
| Typical household usage | 10,800 kWh/yr |
| Power used as generated | 35% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 5 |
| Google imagery from | 2016 |
When Dodge City actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 35% of Dodge City's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 14% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 89 | |
| Feb | 117 | |
| Mar | 153 | |
| Apr | 189 | |
| May | 214 | |
| Jun | 224 | |
| Jul | 218 | |
| Aug | 198 | |
| Sep | 165 | |
| Oct | 127 | |
| Nov | 95 | |
| Dec | 81 |
Dodge City produces about 2.8× as much in Jun as in Dec — a normal mid-latitude swing. Expect real winter shortfall and summer surplus rather than steady year-round output.
The annual total is measured from Google's rooftop imagery. Its split across months is calculated from solar geometry at Dodge City's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Dodge City compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Dodge City | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,871 hrs | 97th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 4% | 460th most |
| Median roof size | 234 m² | 256th largest |
| Electricity rate | 14.1¢ | 481st highest |
| Payback | 8.9 yrs | 235th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 909 kg/MWh | 13th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Dodge City:
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 89 panels — roughly 5× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Dodge City.
- Every kWh counts more here. The grid serving Dodge City emits 909 kg CO₂ per MWh, among the highest of the 673 cities measured — so the same panels displace more emissions than they would elsewhere.
- Sunnier than the rest of Kansas. Dodge City roofs get 14% more usable sunlight than the typical Kansas city we've measured — statewide averages will understate what you can expect here.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Dodge City dates from 2016. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Dodge City's 1,871 usable sun hours from other states and provinces. Same sunlight, different electricity prices — which is usually what decides whether solar is worth it.
| City | Sun hrs | Rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 1,875 | 31.2¢ | 8.4 yrs |
| Vallejo, CA | 1,865 | 31.2¢ | 8.7 yrs |
| Stockton, CA | 1,879 | 31.2¢ | 8.4 yrs |
| Lawton, OK | 1,863 | 12.1¢ | 10.8 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Kansas → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Dodge City solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Dodge City?
About 17 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Dodge City roofs get 1,871 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 636 kWh annually. A typical Dodge City roof fits about 89 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Dodge City?
At 14.1¢/kWh and 1,871 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 8.9 years and returns roughly $24,517 over a 25-year panel life. That is a solid return, and it improves further if electricity prices rise. Exported power earns full retail credit here.
How much do solar panels cost in Dodge City?
A 6.8 kW system costs about $19,380 before incentives and $13,566 after the 30% federal tax credit. That works out near $2.85 per watt installed. Roof pitch, shading, electrical panel upgrades and equipment choice move the price most, which is why quotes for the same house can differ by thousands.
Worth reading before you buy
Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average Kansas 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.