Commercial · 2026
What commercial solar costs and saves in Arizona this year — built on the state's real 11.67¢/kWh rate and net billing rules.
Avg electricity rate
11.67¢/kWh
Net metering
Net billing
Federal status
48E applies
Verified 2026-06-26 · source
In Arizona, the average commercial electricity rate is about 11.67¢/kWh — below the U.S. average of roughly 17.6¢. Because a solar system's payback is driven mostly by the utility rate it offsets, Arizona's low rates make business solar a longer-term play that hinges on incentives and rising rates in 2026.
Arizona uses net billing — exports are credited below the retail rate. That lengthens payback versus full net metering and makes pairing solar with a battery (to use more of your own production) materially more attractive.
Businesses use the Section 48E commercial credit (≈30%, up to ~50% with adders) plus first-year bonus depreciation — together typically recovering ~45–55% of project cost. Construction-start timing matters; verify before acting.
For a typical Arizona business spending about $1,500/month on electricity, our model estimates a 110.17 kW system costing roughly $159,773 after incentives, paying back in about 8.9 years, with on the order of $290,216 in 25-year savings. These are estimates built from Arizona's real electricity rate — get a quote to confirm your numbers.
Businesses in Arizona should weigh construction-start timing for the commercial credit and confirm whether the project qualifies for the domestic-content or energy-community adders, which can lift the credit toward 50%.
Estimates only — not tax, financial, or legal advice. Verify all incentives and savings with a qualified professional before acting.
Yes — Arizona businesses use the commercial pathway: the Section 48E credit (≈30%, up to ~50% with domestic-content and energy-community adders) plus first-year bonus depreciation.
Arizona uses net billing (exports below retail). That affects how the power you export is credited and, in turn, your payback — full retail-rate crediting is most favorable, while net billing makes pairing solar with a battery more attractive.
At about 11.67¢/kWh, Arizona's commercial electricity rate makes a longer-term case for solar economics in 2026. Run your address through the calculator above for a source-backed estimate of system size, net cost, and payback.
Keep exploring
Top commercial solar states
Other audiences in Arizona
Free, no obligation, and matched with local installers.