Solar Payback Period in Chandler, Arizona: When Does It Pay Off?

When Does Solar Pay Off in Chandler?

A 7kW system in Chandler costs approximately $21,000 at $3/watt. With annual savings of $1,764 (based on Salt River Project's 12.0¢/14.0¢ rate tiers), the break-even point is approximately 11.9 years.

Without Solar: Projected Salt River Project Bills

Salt River Project rates have increased 31% (2014-2024). If that trend continues, the average Chandler bill looks like this:

Projections use the 31% (2014-2024) 10-year CAGR as a straight-line estimate. Actual rate changes vary. Solar bill estimates assume fixed system output.

The Compounding Advantage

The payback period calculation above uses today's rates. In reality, as Salt River Project rates rise each year, your solar savings grow too — because every kWh your panels produce is worth more. This means the effective payback period is typically shorter than the static calculation suggests, and the 25-year savings figure grows significantly with each rate increase.