Solar panels in Panama City, FL
Roofs in Panama City get about 1,511 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 57% 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 Panama City → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Panama City solar system costs
A 22-panel system (8.8 kW) is about right for an average Panama City home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,302 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,110 | $6,384 | $629 | 10.2 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,165 | $9,576 | $943 | 10.2 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 8,220 | $12,768 | $1,258 | 10.2 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 10,275 | $15,960 | $1,572 | 10.2 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 13,357 | $20,748 | $1,750 | 11.9 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 Panama City gets 1,511 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Panama City — 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 Panama City reaches about 1,809 hours, roughly 20% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,511 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,809 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Florida avg) | 15.3¢/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 | 33% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 7 |
| Google imagery from | 2015 |
When Panama City actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 32% of Panama City's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 17% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85 | |
| Feb | 104 | |
| Mar | 126 | |
| Apr | 147 | |
| May | 160 | |
| Jun | 165 | |
| Jul | 162 | |
| Aug | 152 | |
| Sep | 133 | |
| Oct | 110 | |
| Nov | 89 | |
| Dec | 79 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.1× between Jun and Dec. Panama City 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 Panama City's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Panama City compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Panama City | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,511 hrs | 384th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 16% | 8th most |
| Median roof size | 179 m² | 425th largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.3¢ | 285th highest |
| Payback | 10.5 yrs | 375th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 663 kg/MWh | 303rd dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Panama City:
- Shading is a real problem here. Panama City loses 16% of its potential sunlight to trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings — the 8th-worst of the 673 cities measured. Panel placement matters more here than in most places, and a roof survey is worth more than a phone quote.
- Dimmer than the rest of Florida. Panama City roofs get 15% less usable sunlight than the typical Florida city we've measured — statewide averages will overstate what you can expect here.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Panama City dates from 2015. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Panama City's 1,511 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilo, HI | 1,510 | 42.1¢ | 3.8 yrs |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 1,513 | 14.2¢ | 10.9 yrs |
| Wilmington, DE | 1,513 | 17.2¢ | 9 yrs |
| Winchester, VA | 1,513 | 14.2¢ | 10.9 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Florida → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Panama City solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Panama City?
About 22 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Panama City roofs get 1,511 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 514 kWh annually. A typical Panama City roof fits about 68 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Panama City?
At 15.3¢/kWh and 1,511 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 10.5 years and returns roughly $24,234 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 Panama City?
A 8.8 kW system costs about $25,080 before incentives and $17,556 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 Florida 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.