Solar panels in Elmira, NY
Roofs in Elmira get about 1,373 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 85% 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 Elmira → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Elmira solar system costs
A 24-panel system (9.6 kW) is about right for an average Elmira home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,204 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 3,735 | $6,384 | $907 | 7 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 5,602 | $9,576 | $1,361 | 7 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 7,469 | $12,768 | $1,815 | 7 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 9,336 | $15,960 | $2,269 | 7 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 12,137 | $20,748 | $2,706 | 7.7 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 Elmira gets 1,373 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Elmira — 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 Elmira reaches about 1,494 hours, roughly 9% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,373 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,494 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (New York avg) | 24.3¢/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 | 34% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 10 |
| Google imagery from | 2024 |
When Elmira actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 37% of Elmira's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 13% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58 | |
| Feb | 80 | |
| Mar | 110 | |
| Apr | 142 | |
| May | 164 | |
| Jun | 174 | |
| Jul | 169 | |
| Aug | 150 | |
| Sep | 121 | |
| Oct | 89 | |
| Nov | 63 | |
| Dec | 52 |
Elmira produces about 3.4× 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 Elmira's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Elmira compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Elmira | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,373 hrs | 575th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 8% | 135th most |
| Median roof size | 115 m² | 617th largest |
| Electricity rate | 24.3¢ | 121st highest |
| Payback | 7.2 yrs | 47th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 464 kg/MWh | 502nd dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Elmira:
- Roof space is the binding constraint. A typical Elmira roof fits about 37 panels and a typical home needs 24 — so there is little room to oversize. If you add an EV or heat pump later, plan the array for it now.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Elmira's 1,373 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa, ON | 1,372 | 15.2¢ | 16.5 yrs |
| Bethlehem, PA | 1,374 | 18.1¢ | 9.7 yrs |
| Kamloops, BC | 1,372 | 12.4¢ | 20.2 yrs |
| Gary, IN | 1,375 | 15.3¢ | 11.5 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of New York → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Elmira solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Elmira?
About 24 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Elmira roofs get 1,373 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 467 kWh annually. A typical Elmira roof fits about 37 panels, so check your usable roof area before assuming that many will fit.
Is solar worth it in Elmira?
At 24.3¢/kWh and 1,373 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 7.2 years and returns roughly $47,071 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 Elmira?
A 9.6 kW system costs about $27,360 before incentives and $19,152 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 New York 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.