Solar panels in Gallup, NM
Roofs in Gallup get about 1,960 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 93% 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 Gallup → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Gallup solar system costs
A 17-panel system (6.8 kW) is about right for an average Gallup home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,329 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 5,331 | $6,384 | $789 | 8.1 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 7,997 | $9,576 | $1,184 | 8.1 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 10,662 | $12,768 | $1,578 | 8.1 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 13,328 | $15,960 | $1,692 | 9.4 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 17,326 | $20,748 | $1,840 | 11.3 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 Gallup gets 1,960 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Gallup — 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 Gallup reaches about 2,054 hours, roughly 5% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,960 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 2,054 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 | 8 |
| Google imagery from | 2016 |
When Gallup actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 34% of Gallup's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 15% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 98 | |
| Feb | 126 | |
| Mar | 161 | |
| Apr | 196 | |
| May | 219 | |
| Jun | 228 | |
| Jul | 223 | |
| Aug | 204 | |
| Sep | 173 | |
| Oct | 136 | |
| Nov | 105 | |
| Dec | 91 |
Gallup produces about 2.5× as much in Jun as in Dec — a normal mid-latitude swing. Expect real winter shortfall and summer surplus rather than steady year-round output.
The annual total is measured from Google's rooftop imagery. Its split across months is calculated from solar geometry at Gallup's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Gallup compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Gallup | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,960 hrs | 48th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 5% | 402nd most |
| Median roof size | 69 m² | 661st largest |
| Electricity rate | 14.8¢ | 431st highest |
| Payback | 8.4 yrs | 156th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 631 kg/MWh | 432nd dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Gallup:
- Roof space is the binding constraint. A typical Gallup roof fits about 23 panels and a typical home needs 17 — so there is little room to oversize. If you add an EV or heat pump later, plan the array for it now.
- Small roofs. The median Gallup roof is 69 m², smaller than 98% of cities measured — worth checking your own footprint before assuming a standard system fits.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Gallup 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 Gallup's 1,960 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Downey, CA | 1,959 | 31.2¢ | 8.2 yrs |
| Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 1,958 | 31.2¢ | 8.2 yrs |
| Inglewood, CA | 1,962 | 31.2¢ | 8.2 yrs |
| Bakersfield, CA | 1,957 | 31.2¢ | 8.2 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of New Mexico → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Gallup solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Gallup?
About 17 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Gallup roofs get 1,960 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 666 kWh annually. A typical Gallup roof fits about 23 panels, so check your usable roof area before assuming that many will fit.
Is solar worth it in Gallup?
At 14.8¢/kWh and 1,960 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 8.4 years and returns roughly $26,883 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 Gallup?
A 6.8 kW system costs about $19,380 before incentives and $13,566 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.