Solar panels in Clovis, NM
Roofs in Clovis get about 2,085 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 99% 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.
Check your specific roof in Clovis → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Clovis solar system costs
A 16-panel system (6.4 kW) is about right for an average Clovis home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,342 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 5,671 | $6,384 | $839 | 7.6 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 8,507 | $9,576 | $1,259 | 7.6 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 11,342 | $12,768 | $1,618 | 7.9 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 14,178 | $15,960 | $1,723 | 9.3 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 18,431 | $20,748 | $1,881 | 11 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 Clovis gets 2,085 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Clovis — 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 Clovis reaches about 2,121 hours, roughly 2% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 2,085 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 2,121 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (New Mexico avg) | 14.8¢/kWh |
| Installed cost assumed | $2.85/W |
| Panel size assumed | 400 W |
| Federal tax credit | 30% |
| Typical household usage | 10,800 kWh/yr |
| Power used as generated | 33% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 6 |
| Google imagery from | 2024 |
When Clovis actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 34% of Clovis's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 15% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 107 | |
| Feb | 136 | |
| Mar | 172 | |
| Apr | 207 | |
| May | 230 | |
| Jun | 239 | |
| Jul | 234 | |
| Aug | 216 | |
| Sep | 184 | |
| Oct | 146 | |
| Nov | 114 | |
| Dec | 99 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.4× between Jun and Dec. Clovis is close enough to the equator that seasonal variation is mild, which makes sizing a system considerably more predictable.
The annual total is measured from Google's rooftop imagery. Its split across months is calculated from solar geometry at Clovis's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Clovis compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Clovis | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 2,085 hrs | 6th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 2% | 631st most |
| Median roof size | 288 m² | 138th largest |
| Electricity rate | 14.8¢ | 432nd highest |
| Payback | 7.9 yrs | 85th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 758 kg/MWh | 199th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Clovis:
- Unusually open roofs. Only 2% of available sunlight is lost to obstruction in Clovis — better than all but 42 of the 673 cities measured. Most roofs here get close to their theoretical maximum.
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 106 panels — roughly 6× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Clovis.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Clovis's 2,085 usable sun hours from other states and provinces. Same sunlight, different electricity prices — which is usually what decides whether solar is worth it.
| City | Sun hrs | Rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamosa, CO | 2,090 | 14.8¢ | 7.9 yrs |
| Surprise, AZ | 2,077 | 15.2¢ | 7.7 yrs |
| Kingman, AZ | 2,068 | 15.2¢ | 7.7 yrs |
| Lancaster, CA | 2,105 | 31.2¢ | 7.7 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of New Mexico → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Clovis solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Clovis?
About 16 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Clovis roofs get 2,085 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 709 kWh annually. A typical Clovis roof fits about 106 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Clovis?
At 14.8¢/kWh and 2,085 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 7.9 years and returns roughly $27,694 over a 25-year panel life. That is a solid return, and it improves further if electricity prices rise. Exported power earns full retail credit here.
How much do solar panels cost in Clovis?
A 6.4 kW system costs about $18,240 before incentives and $12,768 after the 30% federal tax credit. That works out near $2.85 per watt installed. Roof pitch, shading, electrical panel upgrades and equipment choice move the price most, which is why quotes for the same house can differ by thousands.
Worth reading before you buy
Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average New Mexico 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.