Solar panels in Flagstaff, AZ
Roofs in Flagstaff get about 1,788 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 81% 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 Flagstaff → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Flagstaff solar system costs
A 18-panel system (7.2 kW) is about right for an average Flagstaff home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,943 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,863 | $6,384 | $739 | 8.6 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 7,295 | $9,576 | $1,109 | 8.6 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 9,727 | $12,768 | $1,478 | 8.6 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 12,158 | $15,960 | $1,693 | 9.4 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 15,806 | $20,748 | $1,832 | 11.3 yrs |
How we worked this out for Flagstaff
Every number on this page comes from these seven steps. Nothing is a national average — the sunlight figure is measured from Flagstaff rooftops.
| # | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What one panel makes here 400W ÷ 1000 × 1,788 sun hrs × 0.85 system losses |
608 kWh/yr |
| 2 | Panels needed to cover typical usage 10,800 kWh ÷ 608 kWh per panel |
18 panels |
| 3 | System size 18 panels × 400W |
7.20 kW |
| 4 | Annual production 7.20 kW × 1,788 hrs × 0.85 |
10,943 kWh/yr |
| 5 | Installed cost 7,200 W × $2.85 per watt, then −30% federal credit |
$14,364 |
| 6 | Annual saving 3,780 kWh used as generated × 15.2¢ + 7,163 kWh exported × 15.2¢ |
$1,647/yr |
| 7 | Payback $14,364 ÷ $1,647 per year |
8.7 years |
Step 6 matters more than it looks. Only 35% of what a system this size produces in Flagstaff is used the moment it is generated; the other 7,163 kWh is exported and credited one-for-one under net metering. Because exports here are credited at or near retail, that split changes the payback very little — 8.6 years against the 8.7 we show. In places where exports pay a fraction of retail the same split moves payback by years, which is why we model it explicitly rather than assuming.
Assumptions: 400W panels, 15% system losses (inverter, wiring, heat, soiling), $2.85/W installed, 10,800 kWh typical annual household use, 15.2¢/kWh electricity. Change any of those and every figure above moves — which is exactly why a single national "solar costs X" number is misleading.
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 Flagstaff gets 1,788 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Flagstaff — 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 Flagstaff reaches about 2,117 hours, roughly 18% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,788 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 2,117 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Arizona avg) | 15.2¢/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 | 35% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 5 |
| Google imagery from | 2016 |
When Flagstaff actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 34% of Flagstaff's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 15% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 90 | |
| Feb | 116 | |
| Mar | 147 | |
| Apr | 178 | |
| May | 199 | |
| Jun | 207 | |
| Jul | 203 | |
| Aug | 186 | |
| Sep | 158 | |
| Oct | 125 | |
| Nov | 96 | |
| Dec | 83 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.5× between Jun and Dec. Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Flagstaff compares to the other 788 cities
| Measure | Flagstaff | Rank of 788 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,788 hrs | 147th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 16% | 12th most |
| Median roof size | 202 m² | 361st largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.2¢ | 429th highest |
| Payback | 8.7 yrs | 183rd fastest |
| Grid carbon | 696 kg/MWh | 229th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Flagstaff:
- Shading is a real problem here. Flagstaff loses 16% of its potential sunlight to trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings — the 12th-worst of the 788 cities measured. Panel placement matters more here than in most places, and a roof survey is worth more than a phone quote.
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 86 panels — roughly 4× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Flagstaff.
- Dimmer than the rest of Arizona. Flagstaff roofs get 11% less usable sunlight than the typical Arizona city we've measured — statewide averages will overstate what you can expect here.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Flagstaff dates from 2016. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Flagstaff's 1,788 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne, WY | 1,788 | 12.1¢ | 11 yrs |
| Honolulu, HI | 1,787 | 42.1¢ | 3.1 yrs |
| Palm Bay, FL | 1,789 | 15.3¢ | 8.7 yrs |
| Wichita, KS | 1,790 | 14.1¢ | 9.4 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Arizona → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Flagstaff solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Flagstaff?
About 18 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Flagstaff roofs get 1,788 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 608 kWh annually. A typical Flagstaff roof fits about 86 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Flagstaff?
At 15.2¢/kWh and 1,788 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 8.7 years and returns roughly $26,811 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 Flagstaff?
A 7.2 kW system costs about $20,520 before incentives and $14,364 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 Arizona 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.