Solar panels in Meridian, MS
Roofs in Meridian get about 1,572 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 53% 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 Meridian → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Meridian solar system costs
A 21-panel system (8.4 kW) is about right for an average Meridian home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,224 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,276 | $6,384 | $569 | 11.2 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,414 | $9,576 | $853 | 11.2 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 8,552 | $12,768 | $1,137 | 11.2 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 10,690 | $15,960 | $1,422 | 11.2 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 13,896 | $20,748 | $1,539 | 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 Meridian gets 1,572 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Meridian — 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 Meridian reaches about 1,690 hours, roughly 8% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,572 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,690 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Mississippi avg) | 13.3¢/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 | 11 |
| Google imagery from | 2024 |
When Meridian actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 33% of Meridian's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 16% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 84 | |
| Feb | 105 | |
| Mar | 130 | |
| Apr | 155 | |
| May | 170 | |
| Jun | 176 | |
| Jul | 173 | |
| Aug | 160 | |
| Sep | 139 | |
| Oct | 112 | |
| Nov | 89 | |
| Dec | 78 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.2× between Jun and Dec. Meridian 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 Meridian's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Meridian compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Meridian | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,572 hrs | 314th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 7% | 201st most |
| Median roof size | 291 m² | 133rd largest |
| Electricity rate | 13.3¢ | 497th highest |
| Payback | 11.6 yrs | 465th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 802 kg/MWh | 151st dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Meridian:
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 116 panels — roughly 5× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Meridian.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Meridian's 1,572 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign, IL | 1,572 | 16.3¢ | 9.4 yrs |
| Pierre, SD | 1,572 | 12.3¢ | 12.5 yrs |
| Athens, GA | 1,573 | 14.1¢ | 10.9 yrs |
| Topeka, KS | 1,573 | 14.1¢ | 10.9 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Mississippi → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Meridian solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Meridian?
About 21 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Meridian roofs get 1,572 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 534 kWh annually. A typical Meridian roof fits about 116 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Meridian?
At 13.3¢/kWh and 1,572 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 11.6 years and returns roughly $19,505 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 Meridian?
A 8.4 kW system costs about $23,940 before incentives and $16,758 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 Mississippi 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.