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Solar panels in Richmond, BC

Roofs in Richmond get about 1,274 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 95% 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.

1,274Sun hours / yr
25Panels typical
CA$28,500Cost after credit
21.3 yrPayback
Be careful in Richmond. At a 21.3-year payback, solar here is a long-horizon decision, mostly because electricity is relatively cheap (12.4¢/kWh). It can still make sense if rates rise or you have local incentives — but check the numbers hard before signing.

Check your specific roof in Richmond → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.

What a typical Richmond solar system costs

A 25-panel system (10 kW) is about right for an average Richmond home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,829 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.

Estimated economics by system size in Richmond, at 12.4¢/kWh
SystemSizekWh/yr Net costSaves/yrPayback
8 panels3.2 kW 3,465CA$9,120 CA$430 21.2 yrs
12 panels4.8 kW 5,198CA$13,680 CA$645 21.2 yrs
16 panels6.4 kW 6,931CA$18,240 CA$859 21.2 yrs
20 panels8 kW 8,663CA$22,800 CA$1,074 21.2 yrs
26 panels10.4 kW 11,262CA$29,640 CA$1,354 21.9 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 Richmond gets 1,274 sun hours

That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Richmond — 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 Richmond reaches about 1,347 hours, roughly 6% better than typical.

The numbers behind this page

Typical usable sunlight1,274 hrs/yr
Unshaded roof1,347 hrs/yr
Electricity rate (British Columbia avg)12.4¢/kWh
Installed cost assumed$2.85/W
Panel size assumed400 W
Typical household usage10,800 kWh/yr
Power used as generated35%
Paid for exported powerfull retail (net metering)
Rooftops sampled here10
Google imagery from2021

Nearby cities

Solar panels in VancouverBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in DeltaBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in BurnabyBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in SurreyBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in CoquitlamBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in LangleyBritish Columbia

See all of British Columbia → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.

Richmond solar questions

How many solar panels do I need in Richmond?

About 25 panels for an average home. Richmond roofs get 1,274 usable sun hours a year, so each 400W panel produces roughly 433 kWh annually.

Is solar worth it in Richmond?

At 12.4¢/kWh and 1,274 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 21.3 years and returns roughly CA$5,002 over 25 years. That is slower than the national average, so compare quotes carefully.

How much do solar panels cost in Richmond?

A 10 kW system costs about CA$28,500 before incentives . Prices vary by installer, roof complexity and equipment.

Worth reading before you buy

What your utility pays for exportsChanges payback more than any equipment choice 12 questions to ask before signingIdentical systems vary 30–40% in price What do solar panels cost?Guide South or west facing roof?Guide

Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average British Columbia 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.