Arizona has 78 utility-scale solar farms as of 2026.
Arizona has 78 utility-scale solar farms as of 2026
Arizona currently counts 78 utility-scale solar farms statewide. Together, they pump out 5.2 gigawatts—enough clean energy to keep the lights on in over 1.4 million homes.
Arizona sits in one of the sunniest regions on Earth
Arizona sits in one of the sunniest regions on Earth. The Sonoran Desert and Colorado Plateau bask in over 300 days of bright sunshine every year.National Geographic That relentless solar resource, plus smart state policies, helped Arizona become the country’s second-largest solar producer—right behind California. Most big solar farms cluster near Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma, close to the homes and businesses that need the power.
Arizona has 5.2 gigawatts of installed solar capacity as of 2026
As of 2026, Arizona’s total installed solar capacity clocks in at 5.2 gigawatts. Spread across 78 utility-scale farms, that’s enough juice to power well over a million households.
Arizona’s solar farms are concentrated in Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma
The biggest clusters are in the sunniest corners of the state. Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma host most of the installations, with many strung along major transmission corridors to deliver power where it’s needed most.
About 500,000 Arizona homes have rooftop solar
Roughly 500,000 homes statewide have rooftop solar systems. That’s about 12.8% of all households.
The median price of a solar-powered home in Arizona is about $415,000
The median price hovers around $415,000. Buyers usually recoup that premium through lower utility bills and higher resale value.
Arizona offers a 25% state tax credit (capped at $1,000) plus the federal 30% Investment Tax Credit
You bet. The state adds a 25% tax credit (capped at $1,000) on top of the federal 30% Investment Tax Credit.IRS Between the two, most homeowners see a serious discount on installation costs.
The typical solar payback period in Arizona is 6.8 years
Typically, you’ll break even in about 6.8 years. After that, the electricity is basically free, and the system keeps cranking out power for decades.
Arizona became a solar leader after the 2006 renewable-energy mandate and the 2023 Inflation Reduction Act
The push started in the early 2000s, when natural gas prices spiked and state leaders saw the writing on the wall. In 2006, the Arizona Corporation Commission set a 15% renewable energy mandate by 2025—one Arizona hit ten years early.Arizona Corporation Commission The 2023 Inflation Reduction Act sweetened the pot by extending and expanding the federal solar credit, making rooftop systems even cheaper. Landmark projects like the 64 MW Agua Caliente Solar Project and the 300 MW Mesquite Solar project (both near Phoenix) kicked off the boom, and today solar supports over 12,000 jobs across the state.
Yes—Mesquite Solar near Phoenix is open for tours
Yes—Mesquite Solar near Phoenix is open for tours. You’ll find it just off I-10 and State Route 85. Book a guided visit through APS, the state’s largest utility.APS For a closer look at residential setups, swing by the Arizona Solar Center in Tempe for workshops and real-world case studies.
Arizona averages 6.2–6.5 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day of sunlight
Arizona averages 6.2–6.5 kilowatt-hours per square meter per day of sunlight. That’s roughly double what cloudier states receive, giving local solar farms a built-in advantage.
Mesquite Solar generates the most power in Arizona with 300 MW of capacity
Mesquite Solar leads the pack with 300 MW of capacity. Located southwest of Phoenix, it’s one of the largest photovoltaic plants in the Southwest.
Arizona supports more than 12,000 solar jobs as of 2026
More than 12,000 solar jobs statewide as of 2026. The industry keeps growing thanks to steady investment and Arizona’s top-tier solar resource.
Many new homes in Gilbert and Chandler come with solar-ready roofs as a standard feature
Not everywhere, but many builders in fast-growing areas like Gilbert and Chandler now offer solar-ready roofs as a standard feature. It’s a smart move—future owners can add panels without tearing up the roof later.
The oldest large-scale solar farm in Arizona is the Agua Caliente Solar Project
Agua Caliente Solar Project—a 64 MW plant near Phoenix—kicked off the utility-scale era back in the early 2010s. It proved solar could work at scale in Arizona’s harsh desert climate.
SolarReviews lists over 67 Arizona solar panel installation companies
SolarReviews has reviews of over 67 Arizona solar panel installation companies. We’ve put each one through a thorough pre-screening process, independent of any financial relationship we may or may not have with them.
Solar homes accounted for 6.7% of the total homes sold in the Phoenix area
Solar homes accounted for 6.7% of the total homes sold in the Phoenix area, up from 5.7% in 2019. The median price of a solar home reached $358,000 for all solar homes.
California has the greatest installed capacity of solar photovoltaic power of any U.S. state
California has by far the greatest installed capacity of solar photovoltaic power of any U.S. state. As of September 2020, California had over 29 gigawatts of cumulative solar capacity. Texas followed with roughly 6.8 gigawatts.
Several large retailers in Arizona have gone solar
This concentrating solar power project can generate 250 MW of electricity—enough to power over 65,000 Arizona homes. Several large retailers in Arizona have gone solar, including Albertsons, Body Sculpting Center, and Bookmans Recreational Exchange.
Solar panels are absolutely worth it in Arizona
So, is solar worth it in Arizona? Absolutely. Solar panels can boost your home value by 2–3% in AZ, save you up to 100% on electricity, and more. Arizona has more sunny days than any other state, and the federal government will cover 30% of the cost.
Arizona offers a 25% state tax credit (capped at $1,000)
The Residential Arizona Solar Tax Credit reimburses you 25% of the cost of your solar panels, up to $1,000, right off your personal income tax in the year you install the system.
North Dakota ranks as the worst state for solar
- North Dakota. North Dakota gets half the number of sunny days as California, which explains its last-place ranking.
- South Dakota. South Dakota beats out its neighbor to the north by the thinnest of margins.
- West Virginia.
- Alaska.
- Kentucky.
Solar Star is the biggest solar farm in the U.S.
Completed in June 2015, Solar Star is the biggest solar farm in the U.S. and also the biggest in the world. The plant has around 1.7 million solar panels spread over 13 square kilometers in Kern and Los Angeles Counties, California.
Solar Star is the biggest solar farm in the U.S.
Completed in June 2015, Solar Star is the biggest solar farm in the U.S. and also the biggest in the world. The plant has around 1.7 million solar panels spread over 13 square kilometers in Kern and Los Angeles Counties, California.
Arizona law prohibits HOAs from outlawing solar panels
Arizona law prohibits HOAs from outlawing the installation of solar panels. HOAs can set some limits, but those rules can’t ban solar outright or make it so expensive or complicated that installation becomes impossible. Courts have upheld this law.
The global solar energy market was valued at $52.5 billion in 2018
The global solar energy market was valued at $52.5 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach $223.3 billion by 2026, growing at a compound annual rate of 20.5% from 2019 to 2026.
The average solar payback period in Arizona is 7.04 years
In Arizona, the average solar payback period is about 7.04 years. That’s how long it takes to recover your initial investment through electricity savings. Another big decision solar shoppers face is how to pay for a system.
The two main disadvantages of solar energy are cost and weather dependence
- Cost. The upfront price of a solar system is still high for many households.
- Weather-dependent. Solar panels still work on cloudy or rainy days, but their output drops.
- Storage is expensive. Batteries that let you use solar power after dark can be pricey.
- Space-hungry. Big systems need a lot of roof or ground space.
- Pollution concerns. Manufacturing panels does create some pollution.
A 5 kW solar system in Arizona costs $10,668 to $14,432 on average
For a typical 5-kilowatt system, solar installation costs in Arizona run from about $10,668 to $14,432, with the average gross price landing at $12,550.
