Balcony Solar Savings Calculator — Estimate Your Monthly Savings by State

Monthly savings from a plug-in balcony solar system typically range from about $9 to $23, depending on your local electricity rate and how much direct sunshine your panel gets. Renters and homeowners in high-cost states like California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts see the biggest savings, oftentimes approaching $250 a year with a 360W system. Enter your zip code above to see your personalized estimate.

Balcony solar saves the most in states with high electricity rates and abundant sun. As of 2026, the biggest savings potential is in California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Rhode Island, where residential electricity rates run well above the national average. Annual savings in those states can approach $250 with a 360W system. Check whether balcony solar is legal in your state with our Plug-In Solar Legislation Tracker.

For maximum year-round output, tilt your panel to roughly your local latitude, about 25° to 45° across most of the U.S., and face it due south. See below.LocationLatitudeOptimal Panel AngleBoston, MA42° N~ 42°San Francisco, CA38° N~ 38°Denver, CO40° N~ 40°Los Angeles, CA34° N~ 34°Southeast or southwest orientations still capture around 95% of the same energy. A vertical balcony-rail mount (the most common setup for renters) still produces about 65–75% of an optimally-tilted panel year-round. It is possible to create or use an adjustable stand you can steepen in winter and flatten in summer.

Bright Saver’s calculator estimates your savings using your local residential electricity rate (from Jan 2026 EIA State residential averages) and your area’s average daily peak sun hours (from NREL solar resource data) applied to a plug-in solar panel’s expected output. The calculation assumes a fixed panel operating during daylight hours, with your household using the generated electricity in real time. This displaces power you would otherwise buy from the grid.