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Solar panels in Kamloops, BC

Roofs in Kamloops get about 1,372 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 87% 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.

1,372Sun hours / yr
24Panels typical
CA$27,360Cost after credit
20.2 yrPayback
Be careful in Kamloops. At a 20.2-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 Kamloops → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.

What a typical Kamloops solar system costs

A 24-panel system (9.6 kW) is about right for an average Kamloops home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,196 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.

Estimated economics by system size in Kamloops, at 12.4¢/kWh
SystemSizekWh/yr Net costSaves/yrPayback
8 panels3.2 kW 3,732CA$9,120 CA$463 19.7 yrs
12 panels4.8 kW 5,598CA$13,680 CA$694 19.7 yrs
16 panels6.4 kW 7,464CA$18,240 CA$925 19.7 yrs
20 panels8 kW 9,330CA$22,800 CA$1,157 19.7 yrs
26 panels10.4 kW 12,128CA$29,640 CA$1,380 21.5 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 Kamloops gets 1,372 sun hours

That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Kamloops — 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 Kamloops reaches about 1,393 hours, roughly 2% better than typical.

The numbers behind this page

Typical usable sunlight1,372 hrs/yr
Unshaded roof1,393 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 here6
Google imagery from2022

Nearby cities

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

Kamloops solar questions

How many solar panels do I need in Kamloops?

About 24 panels for an average home. Kamloops roofs get 1,372 usable sun hours a year, so each 400W panel produces roughly 466 kWh annually.

Is solar worth it in Kamloops?

At 12.4¢/kWh and 1,372 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 20.2 years and returns roughly CA$6,427 over 25 years. That is slower than the national average, so compare quotes carefully.

How much do solar panels cost in Kamloops?

A 9.6 kW system costs about CA$27,360 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 Is a battery worth it?Guide How long do panels last?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.