Solar panels in Lihue, HI
Roofs in Lihue get about 1,777 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 80% 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 Lihue → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Lihue solar system costs
A 18-panel system (7.2 kW) is about right for an average Lihue home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,875 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,833 | $6,384 | $2,035 | 3.1 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 7,250 | $9,576 | $3,052 | 3.1 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 9,667 | $12,768 | $4,070 | 3.1 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 12,084 | $15,960 | $4,682 | 3.4 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 15,709 | $20,748 | $5,063 | 4.1 yrs |
How we worked this out for Lihue
Every number on this page comes from these seven steps. Nothing is a national average — the sunlight figure is measured from Lihue rooftops.
| # | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What one panel makes here 400W ÷ 1000 × 1,777 sun hrs × 0.85 system losses |
604 kWh/yr |
| 2 | Panels needed to cover typical usage 10,800 kWh ÷ 604 kWh per panel |
18 panels |
| 3 | System size 18 panels × 400W |
7.20 kW |
| 4 | Annual production 7.20 kW × 1,777 hrs × 0.85 |
10,875 kWh/yr |
| 5 | Installed cost 7,200 W × $2.85 per watt, then −30% federal credit |
$14,364 |
| 6 | Annual saving 3,780 kWh used as generated × 42.1¢ + 7,095 kWh exported × 42.1¢ |
$4,555/yr |
| 7 | Payback $14,364 ÷ $4,555 per year |
3.2 years |
Step 6 matters more than it looks. Only 35% of what a system this size produces in Lihue is used the moment it is generated; the other 7,095 kWh is exported and credited one-for-one under net metering. Because exports here are credited at or near retail, that split changes the payback very little — 3.1 years against the 3.2 we show. In places where exports pay a fraction of retail the same split moves payback by years, which is why we model it explicitly rather than assuming.
Assumptions: 400W panels, 15% system losses (inverter, wiring, heat, soiling), $2.85/W installed, 10,800 kWh typical annual household use, 42.1¢/kWh electricity. Change any of those and every figure above moves — which is exactly why a single national "solar costs X" number is misleading.
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 Lihue gets 1,777 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Lihue — 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 Lihue reaches about 1,835 hours, roughly 3% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,777 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,835 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Hawaii avg) | 42.1¢/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 | 6 |
| Google imagery from | 2019 |
When Lihue actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 30% of Lihue's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 19% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 114 | |
| Feb | 132 | |
| Mar | 151 | |
| Apr | 167 | |
| May | 174 | |
| Jun | 176 | |
| Jul | 175 | |
| Aug | 169 | |
| Sep | 156 | |
| Oct | 137 | |
| Nov | 118 | |
| Dec | 109 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 1.6× between Jun and Dec. Lihue 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 Lihue's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Lihue compares to the other 788 cities
| Measure | Lihue | Rank of 788 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,777 hrs | 156th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 3% | 623rd most |
| Median roof size | 299 m² | 125th largest |
| Electricity rate | 42.1¢ | 4th highest |
| Payback | 3.2 yrs | 2nd fastest |
| Grid carbon | 699 kg/MWh | 208th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Lihue:
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 101 panels — roughly 5× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Lihue.
- Sunnier than the rest of Hawaii. Lihue roofs get 9% more usable sunlight than the typical Hawaii city we've measured — statewide averages will understate what you can expect here.
- Expensive electricity works in your favour. At 42.1¢/kWh, Hawaii is among the priciest places to buy power — which is exactly what makes generating your own pay back faster.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Lihue dates from 2019. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Lihue's 1,777 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 1,778 | 12.1¢ | 11 yrs |
| West Palm Beach, FL | 1,775 | 15.3¢ | 8.7 yrs |
| Miami Gardens, FL | 1,780 | 15.3¢ | 8.7 yrs |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 1,773 | 15.3¢ | 8.7 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Hawaii → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Lihue solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Lihue?
About 18 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Lihue roofs get 1,777 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 604 kWh annually. A typical Lihue roof fits about 101 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Lihue?
At 42.1¢/kWh and 1,777 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 3.2 years and returns roughly $99,504 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 Lihue?
A 7.2 kW system costs about $20,520 before incentives and $14,364 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 Hawaii 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.