Solar panels in Longview, TX
Roofs in Longview get about 1,595 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 58% 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 Longview → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Longview solar system costs
A 20-panel system (8 kW) is about right for an average Longview home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,846 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,338 | $6,384 | $655 | 9.7 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,508 | $9,576 | $983 | 9.7 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 8,677 | $12,768 | $1,310 | 9.7 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 10,846 | $15,960 | $1,633 | 9.8 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 14,100 | $20,748 | $1,755 | 11.8 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 Longview gets 1,595 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Longview — 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 Longview reaches about 1,697 hours, roughly 6% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,595 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,697 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Texas avg) | 15.1¢/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 | 12 |
| Google imagery from | 2016 |
When Longview actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 33% of Longview's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 16% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85 | |
| Feb | 107 | |
| Mar | 132 | |
| Apr | 157 | |
| May | 173 | |
| Jun | 179 | |
| Jul | 175 | |
| Aug | 163 | |
| Sep | 141 | |
| Oct | 114 | |
| Nov | 90 | |
| Dec | 79 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.3× between Jun and Dec. Longview 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 Longview's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Longview compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Longview | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,595 hrs | 286th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 6% | 270th most |
| Median roof size | 147 m² | 533rd largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.1¢ | 387th highest |
| Payback | 9.8 yrs | 329th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 758 kg/MWh | 200th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Longview:
- Dimmer than the rest of Texas. Longview roofs get 9% less usable sunlight than the typical Texas city we've measured — statewide averages will overstate what you can expect here.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Longview dates from 2016. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Longview's 1,595 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texarkana, AR | 1,595 | 12.4¢ | 11.9 yrs |
| Butte, MT | 1,595 | 12.1¢ | 12.2 yrs |
| Boise, ID | 1,594 | 11.2¢ | 13.2 yrs |
| Albany, GA | 1,594 | 14.1¢ | 10.5 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Texas → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Longview solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Longview?
About 20 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Longview roofs get 1,595 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 542 kWh annually. A typical Longview roof fits about 53 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Longview?
At 15.1¢/kWh and 1,595 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 9.8 years and returns roughly $24,853 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 Longview?
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 Texas 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.