Solar panels in Dothan, AL
Roofs in Dothan get about 1,683 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 67% 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 Dothan → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Dothan solar system costs
A 19-panel system (7.6 kW) is about right for an average Dothan home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,872 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,578 | $6,384 | $710 | 9 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,867 | $9,576 | $1,064 | 9 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 9,156 | $12,768 | $1,419 | 9 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 11,444 | $15,960 | $1,699 | 9.4 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 14,878 | $20,748 | $1,832 | 11.3 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 Dothan gets 1,683 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Dothan — 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 Dothan reaches about 1,790 hours, roughly 6% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,683 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,790 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Alabama avg) | 15.5¢/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 | 14 |
| Google imagery from | 2024 |
When Dothan actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 33% of Dothan's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 16% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 92 | |
| Feb | 114 | |
| Mar | 140 | |
| Apr | 165 | |
| May | 180 | |
| Jun | 186 | |
| Jul | 182 | |
| Aug | 170 | |
| Sep | 149 | |
| Oct | 121 | |
| Nov | 97 | |
| Dec | 86 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.2× between Jun and Dec. Dothan is close enough to the equator that seasonal variation is mild, which makes sizing a system considerably more predictable.
The annual total is measured from Google's rooftop imagery. Its split across months is calculated from solar geometry at Dothan's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Dothan's 1,683 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orem, UT | 1,683 | 11.2¢ | 12.5 yrs |
| Arvada, CO | 1,684 | 14.8¢ | 9.5 yrs |
| Deltona, FL | 1,684 | 15.3¢ | 9.2 yrs |
| Palm Coast, FL | 1,682 | 15.3¢ | 9.2 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Alabama → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Dothan solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Dothan?
About 19 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Dothan roofs get 1,683 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 572 kWh annually. A typical Dothan roof fits about 75 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Dothan?
At 15.5¢/kWh and 1,683 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 9 years and returns roughly $26,758 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 Dothan?
A 7.6 kW system costs about $21,660 before incentives and $15,162 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 Alabama 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.