Solar panels in Rome, GA
Roofs in Rome get about 1,552 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 51% 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 Rome → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Rome solar system costs
A 21-panel system (8.4 kW) is about right for an average Rome home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,081 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,221 | $6,384 | $595 | 10.7 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,332 | $9,576 | $893 | 10.7 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 8,443 | $12,768 | $1,190 | 10.7 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 10,554 | $15,960 | $1,488 | 10.7 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 13,720 | $20,748 | $1,626 | 12.8 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 Rome gets 1,552 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Rome — 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 Rome reaches about 1,628 hours, roughly 5% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,552 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,628 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Georgia avg) | 14.1¢/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 | 34% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 9 |
| Google imagery from | 2022 |
When Rome actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 34% of Rome's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 15% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 80 | |
| Feb | 102 | |
| Mar | 128 | |
| Apr | 154 | |
| May | 171 | |
| Jun | 178 | |
| Jul | 174 | |
| Aug | 160 | |
| Sep | 137 | |
| Oct | 109 | |
| Nov | 85 | |
| Dec | 74 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.4× between Jun and Dec. Rome 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 Rome's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Rome compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Rome | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,552 hrs | 332nd |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 5% | 389th most |
| Median roof size | 72 m² | 659th largest |
| Electricity rate | 14.1¢ | 486th highest |
| Payback | 10.9 yrs | 409th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 663 kg/MWh | 301st dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Rome:
- Roof space is the binding constraint. A typical Rome roof fits about 26 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 Rome roof is 72 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 Rome's 1,552 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | 1,552 | 13.2¢ | 11.7 yrs |
| Suffolk, VA | 1,552 | 14.2¢ | 10.9 yrs |
| Bloomington, IL | 1,551 | 16.3¢ | 9.5 yrs |
| Muncie, IN | 1,550 | 15.3¢ | 10.1 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Georgia → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Rome solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Rome?
About 21 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Rome roofs get 1,552 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 528 kWh annually. A typical Rome roof fits about 26 panels, so check your usable roof area before assuming that many will fit.
Is solar worth it in Rome?
At 14.1¢/kWh and 1,552 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 10.9 years and returns roughly $21,560 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 Rome?
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 Georgia 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.