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Solar panels in Edmonton, AB

Roofs in Edmonton get about 1,264 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 96% 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.

1,264Sun hours / yr
26Panels typical
CA$29,640Cost after credit
15 yrPayback
Be careful in Edmonton. At a 15-year payback, solar here is a long-horizon decision, mostly because electricity is relatively cheap (18.1¢/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 Edmonton → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.

What a typical Edmonton solar system costs

A 26-panel system (10.4 kW) is about right for an average Edmonton home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,174 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.

Estimated economics by system size in Edmonton, at 18.1¢/kWh
SystemSizekWh/yr Net costSaves/yrPayback
8 panels3.2 kW 3,438CA$9,120 CA$622 14.7 yrs
12 panels4.8 kW 5,157CA$13,680 CA$933 14.7 yrs
16 panels6.4 kW 6,876CA$18,240 CA$1,245 14.7 yrs
20 panels8 kW 8,595CA$22,800 CA$1,556 14.7 yrs
26 panels10.4 kW 11,174CA$29,640 CA$1,972 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 Edmonton gets 1,264 sun hours

That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Edmonton — 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 Edmonton reaches about 1,365 hours, roughly 8% better than typical.

The numbers behind this page

Typical usable sunlight1,264 hrs/yr
Unshaded roof1,365 hrs/yr
Electricity rate (Alberta avg)18.1¢/kWh
Installed cost assumed$2.85/W
Panel size assumed400 W
Typical household usage10,800 kWh/yr
Power used as generated34%
Paid for exported powerfull retail (net metering)
Rooftops sampled here16
Google imagery from2024

Nearby cities

Solar panels in Red DeerAlbertaSolar panels in CalgaryAlbertaSolar panels in LethbridgeAlbertaSolar panels in MissoulaMontanaSolar panels in SaskatoonSaskatchewanSolar panels in KelownaBritish Columbia

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

Edmonton solar questions

How many solar panels do I need in Edmonton?

About 26 panels for an average home. Edmonton roofs get 1,264 usable sun hours a year, so each 400W panel produces roughly 430 kWh annually.

Is solar worth it in Edmonton?

At 18.1¢/kWh and 1,264 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 15 years and returns roughly CA$19,653 over 25 years. That is slower than the national average, so compare quotes carefully.

How much do solar panels cost in Edmonton?

A 10.4 kW system costs about CA$29,640 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 How long until it pays for itself?Guide Do panels work in winter?Guide

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