## Solar Power in Mesa

With over 300 sunny days each year, Mesa is one of the best places in the country to power your home with solar energy. Arizona ranks 3rd for residential solar installations in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why so many local homeowners are making the switch.

If you’re curious about going solar in Mesa, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through what to expect, and you can learn more in our overview of [home solar panels](/content/solar/solar-panels-for-home/index.html).

### [ARIZONA](/content/local/arizona/index.html) by the Numbers

[3rd](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/) Most residential solar in the United States  
[295](https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia861/) Households have installed solar panels  
[6.5](/content/local/peak-sun-hours/index.html) Avg peak sun hours per day  
[~$63k](/content/local/arizona/mesa/#solar-cost-calculator/index.html) Mesa average savings over 25 years

## How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Mesa, AZ?

See real solar costs for Mesa, built from our actual local installations. This calculator uses firsthand data from homes across Mesa and nearby areas like Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, and Apache Junction. Enter a few details to get a clear, honest estimate for your own home.

**Lease**  **Cash Purchase**

**Small Home** Up to 2,000 sq ft

**Medium Home** 2,000-3,000 sq ft

**Large Home** Over 3,000 sq ft

**System Size**

This system size is designed to offset approximately **100%** of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Arizona.

**Recommended System**  
**8.20 kW**  
**Your Monthly Payment**

Estimated monthly cost with LightReach  
**$105/mo**

As low as  
**$105/mo**

### Cost Breakdown

**Your estimated investment**  
**System Cost**  
$23,405  
**Price per Watt**  
$2.85  
**State Incentives**  
-$1,000  
**Final Cost**  
$22,405

**Savings**

**Monthly Savings**  
Average utility bill reduction  
$143  
**Payback Period**  
Break-even point  
11.0 years  
**25-Year Savings**  
$62,756

## Palmetto Reviews

I called Palmetto to get my part started, with the information about how things worked, information my local power company wanted and once everything was ready, to schedule the work on my home. Every time I called I had a very pleasant experience. I am hard of hearing and everyone I talked to slowed down and spoke so I had no problem hearing them! They were all **informative**, **helpful**, and very kind. I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to work with Palmetto and I **highly recommend** them to everyone.

**Lynda Mchugh**  
Mesa, Arizona

Palmetto **installers were amazing**. They kept us informed along the way and at the end, walked us through the installation showing us the wiring and placement of each panel. They ensured that the **inspection was completed** without a glitch. They were amazing!!!!

**Maria Martinez**  
Tempe, Arizona

Hey, we just got our **solar project installed** and the guys were **professional** and considerate of our pets when they needed to potty. Thank you Palmetto for a **great job**.

**Joseph Painter**  
San Tan Valley, Arizona

## Key Takeaways

- Mesa gets over 300 sunny days a year with 6.5 peak sun hours daily, making it one of the best places in the country for home solar.
- Arizona offers strong solar incentives, including a 25% state tax credit (up to $1,000), a property tax exemption, and a sales tax exemption on your system.
- A typical Mesa home can save around $63,000 over 25 years, or go solar with no upfront cost through a LightReach lease starting at $105 a month.

## Mesa Electricity Prices

Understanding what you pay for electricity in Mesa can help you make smarter, more informed decisions about your home’s energy future.

Arizona electricity rates have climbed steadily, rising from 12.5 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.9 cents per kWh in 2024. That’s a consistent upward trend, even though Arizona stays below the national average.

Solar offers Mesa homeowners a way to generate their own power instead of buying it all from the grid. As utility rates continue to rise, producing electricity at home can help stabilize what you spend each month.

Over time, solar can offer more predictable energy costs. While grid prices tend to increase year after year, a solar system lets you lock in a portion of your energy production for decades to come.

### Price of Energy: Arizona vs National Average

| Year | Arizona | US Average |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2021 | 12.5¢ | 13.7¢ |
| 2022 | 14.0¢ | 13.0¢ |
| 2023 | 14.9¢ | 16.0¢ |
| 2024 | 14.9¢ | 16.0¢ |

### Mesa Area Utility Providers

If you live in Mesa, your electricity likely comes from APS or SRP. In 2023, APS charged about 15.3¢ per kWh, while SRP was lower at 12.5¢ per kWh.

Both rates fall near Arizona’s 2023 state average of 14.0¢ per kWh and below the national average of 16.0¢. Mesa’s plentiful sunshine and shared power infrastructure help keep local costs somewhat lower than many other states.

Still, utility rates can rise over time. Installing solar panels in Mesa lets you generate your own power, giving you more control over your energy costs and less worry about future rate changes.

### Mesa Utilities Electricity Rates

| Utility | Rate | Difference |
| --- | --- | --- |
| APS | 15.30¢ | -4% |
| SRP | 12.50¢ | -22% |
| AZ Average | 14.00¢ | -12% |
| US Average | 16.0¢ | — |

## Arizona Solar Incentives

Several [solar incentives in Arizona](/content/local/arizona/mesa/#incentives-table/index.html) can help Mesa homeowners offset the cost of installing solar and battery storage.

Arizona offers a state income tax credit, a property tax exemption, and a sales tax exemption. Mesa homeowners served by APS may also earn battery rewards, while net billing credits excess energy sent to the grid.

| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Arizona Residential Solar Energy Credit | Tax Credit | Mesa homeowners can claim a state income tax credit equal to 25% of their solar system’s installed cost, up to a maximum of $1,000 per year, with unused credit carried forward for up to five years. | [Learn More](https://azdor.gov/) |
| Arizona Solar Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Exemption | Under Arizona law, the added value a solar energy system contributes to a home’s assessed value is fully excluded from property tax calculations, so installing solar will not increase your property tax bill. | [Learn More](https://azcc.gov/) |
| Arizona Solar Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | Arizona exempts residential solar equipment and installation from the state’s 5.6% Transaction Privilege Tax (sales tax), reducing the upfront cost of a solar system by approximately $1,200–$2,000 on a typical installation. | [Learn More](https://azdor.gov/) |
| Arizona Net Billing Policy (Statewide Overview) | Net Metering | Arizona utilities have replaced traditional net metering with net billing, compensating solar homeowners for excess electricity exported to the grid at rates below retail — currently ranging from approximately $0.028 to $0.062 per kWh depending on the utility. | [Learn More](https://azcc.gov/) |
| APS Storage Rewards Pilot | Rebate | Arizona Public Service (APS) customers with qualifying home battery storage systems can earn approximately $110 per average kW contributed per season — roughly $660 per season for a typical battery — by allowing APS to dispatch their battery during peak grid demand events. | [Learn More](https://www.aps.com/) |

## Mesa Solar Irradiance

Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.

Mesa enjoys abundant sunshine year-round, with clear desert skies and long summer days boosting solar production. Even during monsoon season, Mesa’s high solar potential makes it excellent for reliable energy generation.

### Solar Production in Mesa by Month

**System Size:** 5 kW, 7 kW, 10 kW  
**Daylight Hours**  
**Energy Production (kWh/day)**

### What Can Your Solar System Power?

#### Summer Production (July)

49.3 kWh/day  
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- **3.3 average homes** (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Run central AC for **16 hours** AND power all other appliances
- or Fully charge **4.9 Tesla Model 3** electric vehicles

#### Winter Production (December)

37.9 kWh/day  
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- **2.5 average homes** (15 kWh/day per home)
- or Keep your home heating system running for **18 hours**
- or Fully charge **3.8 Tesla Model 3** electric vehicles

#### Annual Production

17,551 kWh/year  
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- **Offset 12 tons** of carbon dioxide emissions
- or Equal the environmental benefit of **planting 211 trees**

## Solar Panel Systems in Mesa

In Mesa, most homes are served by **Arizona Public Service (APS)** or **Salt River Project (SRP)**, and both qualify for a solar lease through Palmetto’s [LightReach](/content/products/lightreach/index.html) program. A lease means you pay a fixed monthly amount instead of a large upfront cost.

With a lease, Palmetto owns the system and handles all maintenance, monitoring, and repairs. Unlike paying cash, you skip the big investment and never worry about upkeep yourself. Your savings begin as soon as your panels turn on.

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Does Mesa, AZ have net metering?**
Mesa, AZ no longer offers traditional net metering. Instead, local utilities like **Arizona Public Service (APS)** and **Salt River Project (SRP)** use **net billing**, which credits the excess solar energy you send to the grid at a lower export rate than the retail price you pay for power.

**Do solar panels increase your home value in Mesa, AZ?**
Yes, in many cases **owned or purchased solar panel systems can increase your Mesa home’s value**. A [Zillow study](https://www.zillow.com/research/solar-panels-house-sell-more-23798/) found that homes with solar panels sold for approximately **4.1% more** than comparable homes without them.

**How much does it cost to go solar in Mesa, AZ?**
In Mesa, you can go solar with **no upfront cost** through a LightReach lease, paying a low fixed monthly amount starting around **$105 per month**. Palmetto owns and maintains the system, so your savings begin as soon as the panels turn on.

**How much electricity can a solar system produce in Mesa, AZ?**
In Mesa’s sunny desert climate, a typical **10 kW home solar system** can produce roughly **17,500 kWh per year**. Smaller systems generate less, with a 5 kW system producing around 8,800 kWh and a 7 kW system near 12,300 kWh annually.

**What solar incentives are available in Mesa, AZ?**
Mesa homeowners can take advantage of several **Arizona solar incentives**. These include a **state income tax credit** worth 25% of your system’s cost (up to $1,000), a **property tax exemption** on the added home value, and a **sales tax exemption** on solar equipment.