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Solar panels in Surrey, BC

Roofs in Surrey get about 1,169 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 99% 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.

1,169Sun hours / yr
28Panels typical
CA$31,920Cost after credit
23.7 yrPayback
Be careful in Surrey. At a 23.7-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 Surrey → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.

What a typical Surrey solar system costs

A 28-panel system (11.2 kW) is about right for an average Surrey home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,129 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.

Estimated economics by system size in Surrey, at 12.4¢/kWh
SystemSizekWh/yr Net costSaves/yrPayback
8 panels3.2 kW 3,180CA$9,120 CA$394 23.1 yrs
12 panels4.8 kW 4,770CA$13,680 CA$591 23.1 yrs
16 panels6.4 kW 6,359CA$18,240 CA$789 23.1 yrs
20 panels8 kW 7,949CA$22,800 CA$986 23.1 yrs
26 panels10.4 kW 10,334CA$29,640 CA$1,281 23.1 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 Surrey gets 1,169 sun hours

That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Surrey — 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 Surrey reaches about 1,229 hours, roughly 5% better than typical.

The numbers behind this page

Typical usable sunlight1,169 hrs/yr
Unshaded roof1,229 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 generated34%
Paid for exported powerfull retail (net metering)
Rooftops sampled here12
Google imagery from2016

Nearby cities

Solar panels in BurnabyBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in VancouverBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in VictoriaBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in SeattleWashingtonSolar panels in BellevueWashingtonSolar panels in TacomaWashington

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

Surrey solar questions

How many solar panels do I need in Surrey?

About 28 panels for an average home. Surrey roofs get 1,169 usable sun hours a year, so each 400W panel produces roughly 397 kWh annually.

Is solar worth it in Surrey?

At 12.4¢/kWh and 1,169 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 23.7 years and returns roughly CA$1,815 over 25 years. That is slower than the national average, so compare quotes carefully.

How much do solar panels cost in Surrey?

A 11.2 kW system costs about CA$31,920 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 Do panels work in winter?Guide How many panels do I need?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.