Solar panels in Monroe, LA
Roofs in Monroe get about 1,527 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 54% 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 Monroe → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Monroe solar system costs
A 21-panel system (8.4 kW) is about right for an average Monroe home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,903 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,153 | $6,384 | $503 | 12.7 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,230 | $9,576 | $754 | 12.7 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 8,307 | $12,768 | $1,005 | 12.7 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 10,384 | $15,960 | $1,256 | 12.7 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 13,499 | $20,748 | $1,388 | 14.9 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 Monroe gets 1,527 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Monroe — 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 Monroe reaches about 1,693 hours, roughly 11% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,527 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,693 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Louisiana avg) | 12.1¢/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 | 14 |
| Google imagery from | 2016 |
When Monroe actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 33% of Monroe's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 16% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 82 | |
| Feb | 102 | |
| Mar | 127 | |
| Apr | 150 | |
| May | 165 | |
| Jun | 171 | |
| Jul | 168 | |
| Aug | 156 | |
| Sep | 135 | |
| Oct | 109 | |
| Nov | 86 | |
| Dec | 76 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.3× between Jun and Dec. Monroe 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 Monroe's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Monroe compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Monroe | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,527 hrs | 360th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 10% | 81st most |
| Median roof size | 177 m² | 430th largest |
| Electricity rate | 12.1¢ | 599th highest |
| Payback | 12.8 yrs | 550th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 540 kg/MWh | 486th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Monroe:
- Dimmer than the rest of Louisiana. Monroe roofs get 8% less usable sunlight than the typical Louisiana city we've measured — statewide averages will overstate what you can expect here.
- Cheap electricity is the headwind. Louisiana power costs about 12.1¢/kWh. Low rates are good news generally, but they lengthen solar payback — there is simply less bill to displace.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Monroe 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 Monroe's 1,527 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN | 1,527 | 12.1¢ | 12.8 yrs |
| Alexandria, VA | 1,527 | 14.2¢ | 10.9 yrs |
| Appleton, WI | 1,527 | 17.3¢ | 8.9 yrs |
| Cookeville, TN | 1,527 | 12.1¢ | 12.8 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Louisiana → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Monroe solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Monroe?
About 21 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Monroe roofs get 1,527 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 519 kWh annually. A typical Monroe roof fits about 69 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Monroe?
At 12.1¢/kWh and 1,527 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 12.8 years and returns roughly $15,990 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 Monroe?
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 Louisiana 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.