Solar panels in Lebanon, NH
Roofs in Lebanon get about 1,261 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 96% 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 Lebanon → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Lebanon solar system costs
A 26-panel system (10.4 kW) is about right for an average Lebanon home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,147 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 3,430 | $6,384 | $868 | 7.4 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 5,145 | $9,576 | $1,302 | 7.4 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 6,860 | $12,768 | $1,736 | 7.4 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 8,575 | $15,960 | $2,169 | 7.4 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 11,147 | $20,748 | $2,754 | 7.5 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 Lebanon gets 1,261 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Lebanon — 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 Lebanon reaches about 1,523 hours, roughly 21% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,261 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,523 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (New Hampshire avg) | 25.3¢/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 | 7 |
| Google imagery from | 2013 |
When Lebanon actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 38% of Lebanon's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 12% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51 | |
| Feb | 72 | |
| Mar | 100 | |
| Apr | 131 | |
| May | 154 | |
| Jun | 163 | |
| Jul | 158 | |
| Aug | 140 | |
| Sep | 111 | |
| Oct | 80 | |
| Nov | 56 | |
| Dec | 45 |
Lebanon produces about 3.6× 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 Lebanon's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Lebanon compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Lebanon | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,261 hrs | 646th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 17% | 7th most |
| Median roof size | 78 m² | 652nd largest |
| Electricity rate | 25.3¢ | 100th highest |
| Payback | 7.5 yrs | 51st fastest |
| Grid carbon | 445 kg/MWh | 539th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Lebanon:
- Shading is a real problem here. Lebanon loses 17% of its potential sunlight to trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings — the 7th-worst of the 673 cities measured. Panel placement matters more here than in most places, and a roof survey is worth more than a phone quote.
- Roof space is the binding constraint. A typical Lebanon roof fits about 30 panels and a typical home needs 26 — so there is little room to oversize. If you add an EV or heat pump later, plan the array for it now.
- Small roofs. The median Lebanon roof is 78 m², smaller than 97% of cities measured — worth checking your own footprint before assuming a standard system fits.
- Dimmer than the rest of New Hampshire. Lebanon roofs get 6% less usable sunlight than the typical New Hampshire city we've measured — statewide averages will overstate what you can expect here.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Lebanon dates from 2013. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Lebanon's 1,261 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 1,262 | 11.3¢ | 16.9 yrs |
| Portland, OR | 1,258 | 12.4¢ | 15.4 yrs |
| Edmonton, AB | 1,264 | 18.1¢ | 15 yrs |
| Gresham, OR | 1,257 | 12.4¢ | 15.4 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of New Hampshire → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Lebanon solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Lebanon?
About 26 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Lebanon roofs get 1,261 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 429 kWh annually. A typical Lebanon roof fits about 30 panels, so check your usable roof area before assuming that many will fit.
Is solar worth it in Lebanon?
At 25.3¢/kWh and 1,261 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 7.5 years and returns roughly $48,111 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 Lebanon?
A 10.4 kW system costs about $29,640 before incentives and $20,748 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 Hampshire 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.