How many solar panels for 2,000 kWh a month?
43 solar panels of 400 W, a 16.99 kW system, for 2,000 kWh a month (65.8 kWh a day) at 4.5 peak sun hours and 14% losses. They take 890 sq ft (82.6 m²) of roof and cost about $44,720 at $2.60 per watt (17.2 kW installed, before incentives). In a 3.5-hour place it is 55 panels, in a 5.5-hour place 35. The tables below cover other monthly figures, every US state and the main UK cities.
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System size and panels by monthly use
System kW = daily kWh / (sun hours × (1 − 14%)); panels = kW × 1,000 / 400 W, rounded up. Each cell shows kW / panels.
| kWh per month | 3.5 sun hours | 4.5 sun hours | 5.5 sun hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 kWh | 5.5 kW / 14 | 4.2 kW / 11 | 3.5 kW / 9 |
| 750 kWh | 8.2 kW / 21 | 6.4 kW / 16 | 5.2 kW / 14 |
| 1,000 kWh | 10.9 kW / 28 | 8.5 kW / 22 | 7 kW / 18 |
| 1,250 kWh | 13.7 kW / 35 | 10.6 kW / 27 | 8.7 kW / 22 |
| 1,500 kWh | 16.4 kW / 41 | 12.7 kW / 32 | 10.4 kW / 27 |
| 2,000 kWh | 21.8 kW / 55 | 17 kW / 43 | 13.9 kW / 35 |
| 2,500 kWh | 27.3 kW / 69 | 21.2 kW / 54 | 17.4 kW / 44 |
| 3,000 kWh | 32.8 kW / 82 | 25.5 kW / 64 | 20.9 kW / 53 |
What does a solar system for 2,000 kWh a month cost?
About $44,720 before incentives at 4.5 sun hours: 43 panels of 400 W (17.2 kW installed) at $2.60 per watt (EnergySage, June 2026, the figure the Texas cost guide uses), making 24,296 kWh a year and saving $4,456 at the US average price of 18.34 ¢/kWh, a simple payback of 10 years. In a 3.5-hour place it is 55 panels and $57,200; in a 5.5-hour place 35 panels and $36,400.
| Sun hours | Panels | Installed kW | Installed cost | Year-one output | Year-one savings | Simple payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 55 | 22 kW | $57,200 | 24,170 kWh | $4,433 | 12.9 years |
| 4.5 | 43 | 17.2 kW | $44,720 | 24,296 kWh | $4,456 | 10 years |
| 5.5 | 35 | 14 kW | $36,400 | 24,170 kWh | $4,433 | 8.2 years |
The IRS says the Residential Clean Energy Credit “is not available for any property placed in service after December 31, 2025”, so the federal 30% is gone and the figures above are the full price unless a state or utility program applies. In London the same 2,000 kWh a month needs 55 panels (22 kWp), about £37,180 at £1,690 per kWp (derived from the Energy Saving Trust's "around £7,600" for a typical 4.5 kWp system, August 2026), making 24,032 kWh a year; the UK cost guide prices 6 to 16 panels and the payback calculator takes your own quote, price and export rate.
US states: panels for 1,000 kWh a month
Peak sun hours by state from NREL data (Unbound Solar table), the state’s average residential price from EIA (June 2026). For 2,000 kWh a month, double the kW and the panels.
| State | Sun hours | System kW | Panels | Roof area | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4.6 | 8.3 kW | 21 | 434 sq ft | 16.4 ¢/kWh |
| Alaska | 3 | 12.7 kW | 32 | 662 sq ft | 28.21 ¢/kWh |
| Arizona | 6.5 | 5.9 kW | 15 | 310 sq ft | 15.18 ¢/kWh |
| Arkansas | 4.5 | 8.5 kW | 22 | 455 sq ft | 14.12 ¢/kWh |
| California | 5.6 | 6.8 kW | 18 | 372 sq ft | 34.74 ¢/kWh |
| Colorado | 5.5 | 7 kW | 18 | 372 sq ft | 17.13 ¢/kWh |
| Connecticut | 4.2 | 9.1 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 24.32 ¢/kWh |
| Delaware | 4.4 | 8.7 kW | 22 | 455 sq ft | 19.29 ¢/kWh |
| District of Columbia | 4.4 | 8.7 kW | 22 | 455 sq ft | 24.39 ¢/kWh |
| Florida | 5.3 | 7.2 kW | 19 | 393 sq ft | 15.1 ¢/kWh |
| Georgia | 4.8 | 8 kW | 20 | 414 sq ft | 16.36 ¢/kWh |
| Hawaii | 5.8 | 6.6 kW | 17 | 352 sq ft | 52.72 ¢/kWh |
| Idaho | 4.9 | 7.8 kW | 20 | 414 sq ft | 14.37 ¢/kWh |
| Illinois | 4.3 | 8.9 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 19.89 ¢/kWh |
| Indiana | 4.2 | 9.1 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 17.51 ¢/kWh |
| Iowa | 4.4 | 8.7 kW | 22 | 455 sq ft | 15.93 ¢/kWh |
| Kansas | 5 | 7.6 kW | 20 | 414 sq ft | 15.71 ¢/kWh |
| Kentucky | 4.3 | 8.9 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 14.26 ¢/kWh |
| Louisiana | 4.7 | 8.1 kW | 21 | 434 sq ft | 13.49 ¢/kWh |
| Maine | 4.2 | 9.1 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 29.59 ¢/kWh |
| Maryland | 4.4 | 8.7 kW | 22 | 455 sq ft | 21.84 ¢/kWh |
| Massachusetts | 4.2 | 9.1 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 29.61 ¢/kWh |
| Michigan | 4 | 9.6 kW | 24 | 497 sq ft | 22.99 ¢/kWh |
| Minnesota | 4.3 | 8.9 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 17.52 ¢/kWh |
| Mississippi | 4.6 | 8.3 kW | 21 | 434 sq ft | 14.88 ¢/kWh |
| Missouri | 4.6 | 8.3 kW | 21 | 434 sq ft | 16.22 ¢/kWh |
| Montana | 4.7 | 8.1 kW | 21 | 434 sq ft | 15.14 ¢/kWh |
| Nebraska | 4.8 | 8 kW | 20 | 414 sq ft | 13.25 ¢/kWh |
| Nevada | 6.4 | 6 kW | 15 | 310 sq ft | 13.11 ¢/kWh |
| New Hampshire | 4.2 | 9.1 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 27.01 ¢/kWh |
| New Jersey | 4.3 | 8.9 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 24.95 ¢/kWh |
| New Mexico | 6.5 | 5.9 kW | 15 | 310 sq ft | 15.06 ¢/kWh |
| New York | 4 | 9.6 kW | 24 | 497 sq ft | 29.49 ¢/kWh |
| North Carolina | 4.7 | 8.1 kW | 21 | 434 sq ft | 14.74 ¢/kWh |
| North Dakota | 4.5 | 8.5 kW | 22 | 455 sq ft | 14.12 ¢/kWh |
| Ohio | 4.1 | 9.3 kW | 24 | 497 sq ft | 19.19 ¢/kWh |
| Oklahoma | 5.1 | 7.5 kW | 19 | 393 sq ft | 14.33 ¢/kWh |
| Oregon | 4.2 | 9.1 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 16.32 ¢/kWh |
| Pennsylvania | 4.1 | 9.3 kW | 24 | 497 sq ft | 21.73 ¢/kWh |
| Rhode Island | 4.2 | 9.1 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 29.23 ¢/kWh |
| South Carolina | 4.8 | 8 kW | 20 | 414 sq ft | 15.55 ¢/kWh |
| South Dakota | 4.7 | 8.1 kW | 21 | 434 sq ft | 15.36 ¢/kWh |
| Tennessee | 4.4 | 8.7 kW | 22 | 455 sq ft | 14.07 ¢/kWh |
| Texas | 5.3 | 7.2 kW | 19 | 393 sq ft | 15.94 ¢/kWh |
| Utah | 5.5 | 7 kW | 18 | 372 sq ft | 13.37 ¢/kWh |
| Vermont | 4 | 9.6 kW | 24 | 497 sq ft | 24.44 ¢/kWh |
| Virginia | 4.5 | 8.5 kW | 22 | 455 sq ft | 17.22 ¢/kWh |
| Washington | 3.8 | 10.1 kW | 26 | 538 sq ft | 14.91 ¢/kWh |
| West Virginia | 4.1 | 9.3 kW | 24 | 497 sq ft | 15.45 ¢/kWh |
| Wisconsin | 4.2 | 9.1 kW | 23 | 476 sq ft | 19.56 ¢/kWh |
| Wyoming | 5.2 | 7.4 kW | 19 | 393 sq ft | 15.24 ¢/kWh |
UK cities: panels for 1,000 kWh a month
Daily irradiation at the optimal tilt from the European Commission’s PVGIS (2005-2020). The Ofgem typical household uses about 208 kWh a month, so divide by five for that; the calculator does it for any figure.
| City | Sun hours | System kW | Panels | Roof area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 3.48 | 11 kW | 28 | 53.8 m² |
| Brighton (South East) | 3.9 | 9.8 kW | 25 | 48.1 m² |
| Plymouth (South West) | 3.7 | 10.3 kW | 26 | 50 m² |
| Cardiff (Wales) | 3.47 | 11 kW | 28 | 53.8 m² |
| Birmingham (West Midlands) | 3.27 | 11.7 kW | 30 | 57.7 m² |
| Nottingham (East Midlands) | 3.3 | 11.6 kW | 29 | 55.7 m² |
| Norwich (East of England) | 3.49 | 11 kW | 28 | 53.8 m² |
| Manchester (North West) | 3 | 12.7 kW | 32 | 61.5 m² |
| Leeds (Yorkshire) | 3.2 | 11.9 kW | 30 | 57.7 m² |
| Newcastle (North East) | 3.18 | 12 kW | 31 | 59.6 m² |
| Edinburgh (Scotland) | 3.07 | 12.5 kW | 32 | 61.5 m² |
| Glasgow (Scotland) | 2.88 | 13.3 kW | 34 | 65.3 m² |
| Aberdeen (Scotland) | 2.98 | 12.8 kW | 33 | 63.4 m² |
| Belfast (Northern Ireland) | 3.09 | 12.4 kW | 31 | 59.6 m² |
What the tables leave out
- Orientation and shade: the sun hours assume a south-facing array at a good tilt; east or west roofs get 15-20% less, and trees or chimneys more. Raise the losses in the calculator to see the effect.
- Seasons: a system sized to 100% of yearly use over-produces in summer and under-produces in winter; the output calculator shows the month-by-month split for UK cities.
- Money: panels are one line of a quote. The payback calculator takes the size from here and adds the cost, the price and the 25-year table. A 2,000 sq ft house is a smaller question than 2,000 kWh a month: see solar panel cost for a 2,000 sq ft house.
- Other monthly figures: every state and UK city at 1,000 kWh a month, 1,500 kWh a month and 2,500 kWh a month, with the cost of that use at each state’s price.
- Daily figures: 2,000 kWh a month is 65.8 kWh a day. If you think in kWh a day, the 30 kWh a day guide runs 5 to 50 kWh a day in every state and UK city.
Frequently asked questions
- Is 2,000 kWh a month a lot?
- More than double the average. The EIA puts the average US home at about 899 kWh a month; Ofgem's typical UK household uses 208 kWh a month (2,500 a year). 2,000 kWh a month is a large house with electric heating or cooling, a pool pump, or an electric car, which is why the answer is 43 panels rather than 20.
- How much do solar panels cost for 2,000 kWh a month?
- About $44,720 before incentives at 4.5 sun hours: 43 panels × 400 W = 17.2 kW, × $2.60 per watt (EnergySage average, June 2026). The federal 30% credit ended for systems placed in service after 31 December 2025, so that is the full price unless a state or utility program applies. Fewer sun hours mean more panels and a higher price; the payback calculator takes your own quote.
- Is a 2,000 sq ft house the same as 2,000 kWh a month?
- No, about half. EIA's 2020 survey puts homes of 2,000 to 2,499 sq ft at 12,173 kWh a year, 1,014 kWh a month: 22 panels and about $22,880 at 4.5 sun hours. The cost guide for a 2,000 sq ft house has every house size and every state.
- How many panels for 1,000 kWh a month?
- Half as many as for 2,000: at 4.5 sun hours 22 panels of 400 W (8.5 kW). The state and UK tables below are sized for 1,000 kWh a month; double them for 2,000 or use the calculator for your own figure.
- How many panels for a 4-bedroom house?
- Bedrooms do not use electricity, appliances and heating do, so the honest answer starts from the bill. Take the kWh on your last twelve bills, divide by 12, and type that into the calculator; the tables here show what 1,000, 1,500 or 2,000 kWh a month come to.
- Why do the UK figures need so many more panels?
- Fewer sun hours: London gets 3.48 kWh/m²/day at the optimal tilt (PVGIS) against 5.3 in Texas, so the same kWh need about half as much again in panels. A UK home that uses 1,000 kWh a month is also rare; the Ofgem typical is about 208.
- How many solar panels for 2,500 kWh a month?
- 54 panels of 400 W (21.2 kW) at 4.5 sun hours, 69 at 3.5 and 44 at 5.5: 2,500 kWh a month is 82.2 kWh a day, 25% more than 2,000, so 11 more panels at 4.5 hours. The 2,500 row is in the first table; the 2,500 kWh a month guide has every state and UK city.
- How many kW is a 2,000 kWh per month solar system?
- 17 kW at 4.5 peak sun hours (65.8 kWh a day / (4.5 × 0.86)), 21.8 kW at 3.5 and 13.9 kW at 5.5. Rounded up to whole 400 W panels that is 22 kW installed at 3.5 hours, 17.2 kW installed at 4.5 hours and 14 kW installed at 5.5 hours. Quotes are compared on the kW figure; the panel count follows from the wattage offered.
- Will the panels fit on my roof?
- 43 panels take 890 sq ft (82.6 m²) of panel area alone; with gaps, setbacks and the roof's shape an installer needs more. The Energy Saving Trust notes a typical 4.5 kWp UK system uses around 12 panels on 20-30 m². If the roof is too small, cover a smaller share of the use (the calculator has a coverage field) or use higher-wattage panels.
More guides
- How many solar panels to power a house?
Panels for the average US home (EIA 899 kWh a month) from half to twice that use, every US state, and Ofgem's low, medium and high UK homes in four cities.
- How many solar panels to produce 30 kWh per day?
20 panels of 400 W (7.75 kW) make 30 kWh a day at 4.5 peak sun hours; 25 at 3.5 hours, 16 at 5.5. 5 to 50 kWh a day, every US state and UK city.
- How many solar panels for 1,000 kWh a month?
1,000 kWh a month is 32.9 kWh a day: 8.5 kW of solar, 22 panels of 400 W, at 4.5 sun hours. Sizes at 3 to 6 sun hours, every US state and UK city.
- How many solar panels for 1,500 kWh a month?
1,500 kWh a month is 49.3 kWh a day: 12.7 kW of solar, 32 panels of 400 W, at 4.5 sun hours. Sizes at 3 to 6 sun hours, every US state and UK city.
Last updated 2026-10-03. Estimates from published averages (NREL, EIA, Ofgem, industry cost surveys), each with its source and date: an installer's site survey and shading analysis replace them. Not financial advice.