Solar panels in Prescott, AZ
Roofs in Prescott get about 1,996 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 96% 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 Prescott → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Prescott solar system costs
A 16-panel system (6.4 kW) is about right for an average Prescott home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 10,858 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 5,429 | $6,384 | $825 | 7.7 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 8,144 | $9,576 | $1,238 | 7.7 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 10,858 | $12,768 | $1,644 | 7.8 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 13,573 | $15,960 | $1,747 | 9.1 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 17,645 | $20,748 | $1,902 | 10.9 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 Prescott gets 1,996 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Prescott — 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 Prescott reaches about 2,077 hours, roughly 4% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,996 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 2,077 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 | 6 |
| Google imagery from | 2021 |
When Prescott actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 34% of Prescott's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 15% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 102 | |
| Feb | 130 | |
| Mar | 165 | |
| Apr | 198 | |
| May | 221 | |
| Jun | 229 | |
| Jul | 224 | |
| Aug | 207 | |
| Sep | 176 | |
| Oct | 140 | |
| Nov | 109 | |
| Dec | 95 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.4× between Jun and Dec. Prescott 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 Prescott's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Prescott compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Prescott | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,996 hrs | 28th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 4% | 461st most |
| Median roof size | 206 m² | 336th largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.2¢ | 341st highest |
| Payback | 7.8 yrs | 78th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 631 kg/MWh | 433rd dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Prescott:
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Prescott dates from 2021. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Prescott's 1,996 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV | 1,992 | 15.3¢ | 7.7 yrs |
| Corona, CA | 2,002 | 31.2¢ | 7.9 yrs |
| Lubbock, TX | 2,006 | 15.1¢ | 7.8 yrs |
| St. George, UT | 1,986 | 11.2¢ | 10.6 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Arizona → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Prescott solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Prescott?
About 16 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Prescott roofs get 1,996 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 679 kWh annually. A typical Prescott roof fits about 58 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Prescott?
At 15.2¢/kWh and 1,996 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 7.8 years and returns roughly $28,327 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 Prescott?
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.