Solar panels in Newport News, VA
Roofs in Newport News get about 1,571 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 60% 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 Newport News → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Newport News solar system costs
A 21-panel system (8.4 kW) is about right for an average Newport News home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,217 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,273 | $6,384 | $607 | 10.5 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,410 | $9,576 | $910 | 10.5 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 8,546 | $12,768 | $1,214 | 10.5 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 10,683 | $15,960 | $1,517 | 10.5 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 13,888 | $20,748 | $1,643 | 12.6 yrs |
How we worked this out for Newport News
Every number on this page comes from these seven steps. Nothing is a national average — the sunlight figure is measured from Newport News rooftops.
| # | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What one panel makes here 400W ÷ 1000 × 1,571 sun hrs × 0.85 system losses |
534 kWh/yr |
| 2 | Panels needed to cover typical usage 10,800 kWh ÷ 534 kWh per panel |
21 panels |
| 3 | System size 21 panels × 400W |
8.40 kW |
| 4 | Annual production 8.40 kW × 1,571 hrs × 0.85 |
11,217 kWh/yr |
| 5 | Installed cost 8,400 W × $2.85 per watt, then −30% federal credit |
$16,758 |
| 6 | Annual saving 3,780 kWh used as generated × 14.2¢ + 7,437 kWh exported × 14.2¢ |
$1,548/yr |
| 7 | Payback $16,758 ÷ $1,548 per year |
10.8 years |
Step 6 matters more than it looks. Only 34% of what a system this size produces in Newport News is used the moment it is generated; the other 7,437 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 — 10.5 years against the 10.8 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, 14.2¢/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 Newport News gets 1,571 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Newport News — 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 Newport News reaches about 1,678 hours, roughly 7% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,571 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,678 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Virginia avg) | 14.2¢/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 | 12 |
| Google imagery from | 2023 |
When Newport News actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 35% of Newport News's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 14% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 76 | |
| Feb | 99 | |
| Mar | 128 | |
| Apr | 158 | |
| May | 178 | |
| Jun | 186 | |
| Jul | 182 | |
| Aug | 166 | |
| Sep | 139 | |
| Oct | 108 | |
| Nov | 81 | |
| Dec | 70 |
Newport News produces about 2.7× 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 Newport News's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Newport News compares to the other 788 cities
| Measure | Newport News | Rank of 788 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,571 hrs | 316th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 6% | 259th most |
| Median roof size | 55 m² | 775th largest |
| Electricity rate | 14.2¢ | 563rd highest |
| Payback | 10.8 yrs | 398th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 649 kg/MWh | 364th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Newport News:
- Roof space is the binding constraint. A typical Newport News roof fits about 18 panels and a typical home needs 21 — 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 Newport News roof is 55 m², smaller than 98% of cities measured — worth checking your own footprint before assuming a standard system fits.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Newport News's 1,571 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 |
| Sioux City, IA | 1,570 | 13.2¢ | 11.6 yrs |
| Meridian, MS | 1,572 | 13.3¢ | 11.6 yrs |
| Pierre, SD | 1,572 | 12.3¢ | 12.5 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Virginia → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Newport News solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Newport News?
About 21 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Newport News roofs get 1,571 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 534 kWh annually. A typical Newport News roof fits about 18 panels, so check your usable roof area before assuming that many will fit.
Is solar worth it in Newport News?
At 14.2¢/kWh and 1,571 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 10.8 years and returns roughly $21,952 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 Newport News?
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 Virginia 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.