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Solar panels in Vancouver, BC

Roofs in Vancouver get about 1,162 hours of usable sunlight a year — less than 100% 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.

1,162Sun hours / yr
28Panels typical
CA$31,920Cost after credit
23.7 yrPayback
Be careful in Vancouver. 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 Vancouver → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.

What a typical Vancouver solar system costs

A 28-panel system (11.2 kW) is about right for an average Vancouver home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,062 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.

Estimated economics by system size in Vancouver, at 12.4¢/kWh
SystemSizekWh/yr Net costSaves/yrPayback
8 panels3.2 kW 3,161CA$9,120 CA$392 23.3 yrs
12 panels4.8 kW 4,741CA$13,680 CA$588 23.3 yrs
16 panels6.4 kW 6,321CA$18,240 CA$784 23.3 yrs
20 panels8 kW 7,902CA$22,800 CA$980 23.3 yrs
26 panels10.4 kW 10,272CA$29,640 CA$1,274 23.3 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 Vancouver gets 1,162 sun hours

That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Vancouver — 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 Vancouver reaches about 1,324 hours, roughly 14% better than typical.

The numbers behind this page

Typical usable sunlight1,162 hrs/yr
Unshaded roof1,324 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 from2021

Nearby cities

Solar panels in BurnabyBritish ColumbiaSolar panels in SurreyBritish 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.

Vancouver solar questions

How many solar panels do I need in Vancouver?

About 28 panels for an average home. Vancouver roofs get 1,162 usable sun hours a year, so each 400W panel produces roughly 395 kWh annually.

Is solar worth it in Vancouver?

At 12.4¢/kWh and 1,162 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 23.7 years and returns roughly CA$1,763 over 25 years. That is slower than the national average, so compare quotes carefully.

How much do solar panels cost in Vancouver?

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 South or west facing roof?Guide Is my roof any good for solar?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.