Solar panels in Goodyear, AZ
Roofs in Goodyear get about 2,034 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 98% 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 Goodyear → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Goodyear solar system costs
A 16-panel system (6.4 kW) is about right for an average Goodyear home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,065 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 5,532 | $6,384 | $841 | 7.6 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 8,299 | $9,576 | $1,261 | 7.6 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 11,065 | $12,768 | $1,652 | 7.7 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 13,831 | $15,960 | $1,757 | 9.1 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 17,981 | $20,748 | $1,914 | 10.8 yrs |
How we worked this out for Goodyear
Every number on this page comes from these seven steps. Nothing is a national average — the sunlight figure is measured from Goodyear rooftops.
| # | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What one panel makes here 400W ÷ 1000 × 2,034 sun hrs × 0.85 system losses |
692 kWh/yr |
| 2 | Panels needed to cover typical usage 10,800 kWh ÷ 692 kWh per panel |
16 panels |
| 3 | System size 16 panels × 400W |
6.40 kW |
| 4 | Annual production 6.40 kW × 2,034 hrs × 0.85 |
11,065 kWh/yr |
| 5 | Installed cost 6,400 W × $2.85 per watt, then −30% federal credit |
$12,768 |
| 6 | Annual saving 3,780 kWh used as generated × 15.2¢ + 7,285 kWh exported × 15.2¢ |
$1,652/yr |
| 7 | Payback $12,768 ÷ $1,652 per year |
7.7 years |
Step 6 matters more than it looks. Only 34% of what a system this size produces in Goodyear is used the moment it is generated; the other 7,285 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 — 7.6 years against the 7.7 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 Goodyear gets 2,034 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Goodyear — 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 Goodyear reaches about 2,060 hours, roughly 1% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 2,034 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 2,060 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 | 34% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 10 |
| Google imagery from | 2023 |
When Goodyear actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 33% of Goodyear's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 16% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 107 | |
| Feb | 134 | |
| Mar | 168 | |
| Apr | 201 | |
| May | 222 | |
| Jun | 230 | |
| Jul | 226 | |
| Aug | 209 | |
| Sep | 180 | |
| Oct | 144 | |
| Nov | 113 | |
| Dec | 99 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.3× between Jun and Dec. Goodyear 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 Goodyear's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Goodyear compares to the other 788 cities
| Measure | Goodyear | Rank of 788 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 2,034 hrs | 18th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 1% | 762nd most |
| Median roof size | 358 m² | 48th largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.2¢ | 425th highest |
| Payback | 7.7 yrs | 63rd fastest |
| Grid carbon | 631 kg/MWh | 428th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Goodyear:
- Unusually open roofs. Only 1% of available sunlight is lost to obstruction in Goodyear — better than all but 26 of the 788 cities measured. Most roofs here get close to their theoretical maximum.
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 123 panels — roughly 7× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Goodyear.
- Large roofs. At a median of 358 m², Goodyear has the 48th-largest typical roof footprint we've measured.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Goodyear's 2,034 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odessa, TX | 2,037 | 15.1¢ | 7.8 yrs |
| Midland, TX | 2,038 | 15.1¢ | 7.8 yrs |
| El Paso, TX | 2,043 | 15.1¢ | 7.8 yrs |
| Henderson, NV | 2,045 | 15.3¢ | 7.7 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Arizona → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Goodyear solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Goodyear?
About 16 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Goodyear roofs get 2,034 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 692 kWh annually. A typical Goodyear roof fits about 123 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Goodyear?
At 15.2¢/kWh and 2,034 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 7.7 years and returns roughly $28,524 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 Goodyear?
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 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.