Size.Solar

    600W Solar Panel Production in Chicago

    A single 600W solar panel in Chicago is estimated to generate approximately 802 kWh of electricity per year, averaging 2.20 kWh daily. This represents the actual AC power available for your home after system conversion losses.

    Solar Production Calculator
    Estimate solar production in Chicago
    Adjust the controls to model annual output, monthly generation, and bill savings for a planned solar system.

    Current estimate

    Annual savings

    $1,008

    Use covered

    111%

    Start a roof project

    Your system settings

    600 W
    200WDefault: 600W700W
    panels
    1 panelTotal size: 6.00 kW150 panels
    kWh
    100 kWhTypical: 600 kWh5000 kWh
    14%
    5% (high efficiency)14% (standard)30%

    Annual bill savings

    $1,008

    Save about $84 per month, capped to the 600 kWh/month use you entered.

    Electricity use covered

    111%

    Produces 817 kWh/year above your entered use. Export credits or batteries may add value.

    Annual output

    8,017 kWh

    Daily output

    ~22 kWh

    System size

    6.0 kW

    Panels needed

    9 panels*

    Ready for a roof-specific design?

    Turn this production estimate into a full project with roof layout, batteries, equipment, and supplier options.

    Start a roof project

    Monthly production breakdown (kWh)

    Quote readinessThis estimate is strong enough for early planning. A supplier quote still needs roof space, shading, inverter limits, battery needs, and installation constraints.
    Planning notes* To cover 100% of your electricity use (600 kWh/month), we recommend about 9 panels rated at 600W each. Bill savings are capped at your entered use and do not assume export credits.

    Project-ready estimate

    Turn this result into a quote request

    Start with 9 panels at 600W, about 5.4 kW, a 600 kWh/month bill target, and 14% modelled system losses. This gives suppliers the first inputs they need before roof layout, inverter limits, and battery choices are refined.

    Start roof projectView supplier mapAdjust inputs
    Starter system
    ~5.4 kW

    9 panels for a 600 kWh/month home before roof, inverter, and battery constraints.

    Output per panel
    802 kWh

    Estimated annual AC electricity from one 600W panel after modelled system losses.

    Bill value/year
    $112

    Annual value at about $0.14/kWh, capped to the electricity use you can actually offset.

    Weakest month
    Dec

    44 kWh from one 600W panel; check this month before sizing essential loads.

    Roof fit

    Confirm usable roof planes, shading, inverter limits, and battery needs before accepting a final layout.

    Bill fit

    Adjust panel count and monthly use above so savings are capped to electricity you can offset.

    Quote check

    Ask suppliers to show winter output, assumed losses, and any export-credit value separately.

    Production evidenceShow monthly output and model assumptionsOpen this when checking winter production, irradiance, losses, or the source assumptions behind the quote handoff.

    Monthly model

    Monthly output and winter risk

    The calculator is useful when it shows the weak months, not just a flattering annual number. Use the table to check whether winter output still supports the loads you care about.

    Best month
    Jul

    85 kWh from one 600W panel

    Lowest month
    Dec

    44 kWh from one 600W panel

    Solar resource
    4.6 kWh/m²/day

    1676 kWh/m² annual irradiance

    Model checks
    15.3%

    Capacity factor, 47.8% performance ratio, 843 kWh DC before conversion

    JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
    50 kWh59 kWh68 kWh74 kWh76 kWh77 kWh85 kWh79 kWh75 kWh63 kWh51 kWh44 kWh

    Model basis

    The model uses south-facing panels at 42° tilt, true south orientation, and 14% system loss. Typical 600 kWh/month electricity costs are $33 - $170 (typically $84) using 2025 cost data.

    Solar production data provided by the PVWatts® API from NLR.

    Change the modeled city