Solar panels in Jacksonville, NC
Roofs in Jacksonville get about 1,604 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 59% 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 Jacksonville → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Jacksonville solar system costs
A 20-panel system (8 kW) is about right for an average Jacksonville home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,907 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,363 | $6,384 | $576 | 11.1 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,544 | $9,576 | $864 | 11.1 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 8,726 | $12,768 | $1,152 | 11.1 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 10,907 | $15,960 | $1,429 | 11.2 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 14,179 | $20,748 | $1,537 | 13.5 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 Jacksonville gets 1,604 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Jacksonville — 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 Jacksonville reaches about 1,680 hours, roughly 5% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,604 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,680 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (North Carolina avg) | 13.2¢/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 | 11 |
| Google imagery from | 2015 |
When Jacksonville actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 34% of Jacksonville's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 15% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 82 | |
| Feb | 104 | |
| Mar | 132 | |
| Apr | 160 | |
| May | 178 | |
| Jun | 185 | |
| Jul | 181 | |
| Aug | 166 | |
| Sep | 142 | |
| Oct | 112 | |
| Nov | 87 | |
| Dec | 76 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.4× between Jun and Dec. Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Jacksonville compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Jacksonville | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,604 hrs | 277th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 5% | 408th most |
| Median roof size | 204 m² | 343rd largest |
| Electricity rate | 13.2¢ | 516th highest |
| Payback | 11.2 yrs | 439th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 649 kg/MWh | 370th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Jacksonville:
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Jacksonville dates from 2015. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Jacksonville's 1,604 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesapeake, VA | 1,604 | 14.2¢ | 10.4 yrs |
| Little Rock, AR | 1,605 | 12.4¢ | 11.9 yrs |
| Aberdeen, SD | 1,603 | 12.3¢ | 12 yrs |
| Southaven, MS | 1,607 | 13.3¢ | 11.1 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of North Carolina → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Jacksonville solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Jacksonville?
About 20 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Jacksonville roofs get 1,604 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 545 kWh annually. A typical Jacksonville roof fits about 79 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Jacksonville?
At 13.2¢/kWh and 1,604 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 11.2 years and returns roughly $19,768 over a 25-year panel life. That is slower than average, so compare several quotes before committing. Exported power earns full retail credit here.
How much do solar panels cost in Jacksonville?
A 8 kW system costs about $22,800 before incentives and $15,960 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 North Carolina 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.