How many solar panels does a 2,000 sq ft home need?

Square footage is the number everyone asks about — and the one that matters least. Here is how our designers actually size a system.

Start with your bills, not your floor plan

A 2,000 sq ft home in Davis with gas heating might use 7,500 kWh a year. The same home with a heat pump, pool and EV can use 16,000. Pull twelve months of usage from your utility account; that single number does most of the work.

Divide by local production

In the Sacramento valley, each kilowatt of well-placed panels produces about 1,560 kWh a year. 9,000 kWh ÷ 1,560 ≈ 5.8 kW, which is fifteen 400 W panels.

Rule of thumb: in Northern California, one 400 W panel covers roughly 620 kWh a year — about $210 of electricity at today’s rates.

Then check the roof

Each panel needs about 17.5 sq ft plus fire-code setbacks. Shade from trees and chimneys, roof pitch and orientation all trim the final count. That is why our calculator starts with usable roof area.

The short answer

• Low-usage home (6,000 kWh): 10–11 panels
• Typical home (9,000 kWh): 14–16 panels
• All-electric home with EV (15,000 kWh): 24–26 panels

Want a number for your own roof? Try the savings calculator or book a free satellite assessment.