Solar panels in Show Low, AZ
Roofs in Show Low get about 1,937 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 91% 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 Show Low → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Show Low solar system costs
A 17-panel system (6.8 kW) is about right for an average Show Low home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,196 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 5,269 | $6,384 | $801 | 8 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 7,903 | $9,576 | $1,201 | 8 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 10,537 | $12,768 | $1,602 | 8 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 13,172 | $15,960 | $1,732 | 9.2 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 17,123 | $20,748 | $1,882 | 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 Show Low gets 1,937 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Show Low — 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 Show Low reaches about 2,101 hours, roughly 8% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,937 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 2,101 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 | 13 |
| Google imagery from | 2013 |
When Show Low actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 34% of Show Low's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 15% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 100 | |
| Feb | 127 | |
| Mar | 160 | |
| Apr | 192 | |
| May | 214 | |
| Jun | 222 | |
| Jul | 217 | |
| Aug | 200 | |
| Sep | 171 | |
| Oct | 136 | |
| Nov | 106 | |
| Dec | 92 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.4× between Jun and Dec. Show Low 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 Show Low's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Show Low compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Show Low | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,937 hrs | 61st |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 8% | 151st most |
| Median roof size | 161 m² | 480th largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.2¢ | 345th highest |
| Payback | 8.2 yrs | 113th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 631 kg/MWh | 437th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Show Low:
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Show Low dates from 2013. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Show Low's 1,937 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington Beach, CA | 1,937 | 31.2¢ | 8.3 yrs |
| Long Beach, CA | 1,938 | 31.2¢ | 8.3 yrs |
| Chula Vista, CA | 1,936 | 31.2¢ | 8.3 yrs |
| Ely, NV | 1,936 | 15.3¢ | 8.1 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Arizona → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Show Low solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Show Low?
About 17 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Show Low roofs get 1,937 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 659 kWh annually. A typical Show Low roof fits about 43 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Show Low?
At 15.2¢/kWh and 1,937 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 8.2 years and returns roughly $27,850 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 Show Low?
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 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.