Solar panels in Sierra Vista, AZ
Roofs in Sierra Vista get about 2,108 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 100% 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 Sierra Vista → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Sierra Vista solar system costs
A 16-panel system (6.4 kW) is about right for an average Sierra Vista home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,468 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 5,734 | $6,384 | $872 | 7.3 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 8,601 | $9,576 | $1,307 | 7.3 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 11,468 | $12,768 | $1,667 | 7.7 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 14,334 | $15,960 | $1,776 | 9 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 18,635 | $20,748 | $1,939 | 10.7 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 Sierra Vista gets 2,108 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Sierra Vista — 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 Sierra Vista reaches about 2,136 hours, roughly 1% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 2,108 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 2,136 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 | 33% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 5 |
| Google imagery from | 2019 |
When Sierra Vista actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 33% of Sierra Vista's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 16% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 115 | |
| Feb | 142 | |
| Mar | 175 | |
| Apr | 207 | |
| May | 226 | |
| Jun | 233 | |
| Jul | 229 | |
| Aug | 214 | |
| Sep | 186 | |
| Oct | 152 | |
| Nov | 121 | |
| Dec | 107 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.2× between Jun and Dec. Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Sierra Vista compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Sierra Vista | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 2,108 hrs | 3rd |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 1% | 651st most |
| Median roof size | 280 m² | 155th largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.2¢ | 342nd highest |
| Payback | 7.7 yrs | 67th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 631 kg/MWh | 434th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Sierra Vista:
- Unusually open roofs. Only 1% of available sunlight is lost to obstruction in Sierra Vista — better than all but 22 of the 673 cities measured. Most roofs here get close to their theoretical maximum.
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 103 panels — roughly 6× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Sierra Vista.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Sierra Vista dates from 2019. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Sierra Vista's 2,108 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, CA | 2,105 | 31.2¢ | 7.7 yrs |
| Las Cruces, NM | 2,112 | 14.8¢ | 7.9 yrs |
| Palmdale, CA | 2,115 | 31.2¢ | 7.7 yrs |
| Alamosa, CO | 2,090 | 14.8¢ | 7.9 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Arizona → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Sierra Vista solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Sierra Vista?
About 16 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Sierra Vista roofs get 2,108 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 717 kWh annually. A typical Sierra Vista roof fits about 103 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Sierra Vista?
At 15.2¢/kWh and 2,108 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 7.7 years and returns roughly $28,906 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 Sierra Vista?
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.