Solar panels in Somerset, KY
Roofs in Somerset get about 1,482 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 61% 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 Somerset → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Somerset solar system costs
A 22-panel system (8.8 kW) is about right for an average Somerset home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,085 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,031 | $6,384 | $492 | 13 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,047 | $9,576 | $738 | 13 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 8,062 | $12,768 | $984 | 13 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 10,078 | $15,960 | $1,229 | 13 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 13,101 | $20,748 | $1,388 | 15 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 Somerset gets 1,482 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Somerset — 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 Somerset reaches about 1,598 hours, roughly 8% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,482 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,598 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Kentucky avg) | 12.2¢/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 | 2021 |
When Somerset actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 35% of Somerset's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 14% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 72 | |
| Feb | 94 | |
| Mar | 121 | |
| Apr | 149 | |
| May | 168 | |
| Jun | 176 | |
| Jul | 172 | |
| Aug | 156 | |
| Sep | 131 | |
| Oct | 101 | |
| Nov | 77 | |
| Dec | 66 |
Somerset 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 Somerset's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Somerset compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Somerset | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,482 hrs | 413th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 7% | 180th most |
| Median roof size | 200 m² | 357th largest |
| Electricity rate | 12.2¢ | 568th highest |
| Payback | 13.2 yrs | 565th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 802 kg/MWh | 153rd dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Somerset:
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Somerset dates from 2021. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Somerset's 1,482 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Spring, MD | 1,481 | 18.3¢ | 8.8 yrs |
| Woodbury, MN | 1,483 | 14.8¢ | 10.9 yrs |
| Edison, NJ | 1,483 | 19.4¢ | 8.3 yrs |
| Whitby, ON | 1,481 | 15.2¢ | 15.2 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Kentucky → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Somerset solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Somerset?
About 22 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Somerset roofs get 1,482 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 504 kWh annually. A typical Somerset roof fits about 70 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Somerset?
At 12.2¢/kWh and 1,482 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 13.2 years and returns roughly $15,602 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 Somerset?
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 Kentucky 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.