Solar panels in Spartanburg, SC
Roofs in Spartanburg get about 1,562 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 52% 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 Spartanburg → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Spartanburg solar system costs
A 21-panel system (8.4 kW) is about right for an average Spartanburg home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,153 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,249 | $6,384 | $603 | 10.6 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 6,373 | $9,576 | $905 | 10.6 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 8,497 | $12,768 | $1,207 | 10.6 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 10,622 | $15,960 | $1,508 | 10.6 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 13,808 | $20,748 | $1,640 | 12.6 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 Spartanburg gets 1,562 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Spartanburg — 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 Spartanburg reaches about 1,740 hours, roughly 11% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,562 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,740 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (South Carolina 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 | 15 |
| Google imagery from | 2014 |
When Spartanburg actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 34% of Spartanburg's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 15% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79 | |
| Feb | 101 | |
| Mar | 129 | |
| Apr | 156 | |
| May | 173 | |
| Jun | 180 | |
| Jul | 176 | |
| Aug | 162 | |
| Sep | 138 | |
| Oct | 109 | |
| Nov | 84 | |
| Dec | 73 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.5× between Jun and Dec. Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Spartanburg compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Spartanburg | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,562 hrs | 323rd |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 10% | 68th most |
| Median roof size | 174 m² | 441st largest |
| Electricity rate | 14.2¢ | 457th highest |
| Payback | 10.8 yrs | 395th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 649 kg/MWh | 373rd dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Spartanburg:
- Shading is a real problem here. Spartanburg loses 10% of its potential sunlight to trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings — the 68th-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.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Spartanburg dates from 2014. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Spartanburg's 1,562 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | 1,562 | 17.4¢ | 8.8 yrs |
| Medford, OR | 1,562 | 12.4¢ | 12.4 yrs |
| Charlotte, NC | 1,561 | 13.2¢ | 11.7 yrs |
| Lynchburg, VA | 1,563 | 14.2¢ | 10.8 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of South Carolina → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Spartanburg solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Spartanburg?
About 21 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Spartanburg roofs get 1,562 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 531 kWh annually. A typical Spartanburg roof fits about 57 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Spartanburg?
At 14.2¢/kWh and 1,562 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 10.8 years and returns roughly $21,895 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 Spartanburg?
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 South Carolina 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.