• Albuquerque, NM goes solar with SunPower®

    Duke City’s future shines bright with solar energy

The state of solar in Albuquerque

Albuquerque, NM, is primed for solar energy production, thanks to its annual average of 280 sunny days—far above the national average.* About 97% of buildings in Duke City are solar-viable, creating the capacity to produce 6.3 million megawatt-hours—that’s 6.3 trillion watts of energy output for one hour—each year.*

Albuquerque’s leaders are dedicated to providing clean energy solutions for residents. In 2020, the city began constructing a 50-megawatt solar field to help Albuquerque achieve 88% of clean energy use by the end of 2021.*

How much solar energy does Albuquerque produce?

Albuquerque remains one of the U.S. leaders in producing solar energy. According to the Shining Cities 2020 report, Albuquerque ranks third in the nation, with 273.19 watts of solar capacity per person.

What are the advantages of going solar in Albuquerque?

Going solar in Albuquerque improves homeowners’ finances, makes their environment cleaner, and helps in other ways. The city receives on average six to seven peak sun-hours each day. This translates to plenty of solar energy production for those with solar panels.*

Using solar PV reduces your household’s dependence on the local electrical grid, resulting in lower monthly utility expenses by producing your own energy. Once your solar system is installed and ready to go, the panels will begin to generate power, so you’ll see immediate savings.

Solar panels are extremely eco-friendly. They produce no air pollution or greenhouse gases while powering your home. The energy is both clean and sustainable.

How much does solar cost in Albuquerque?Albuquerque solar

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even among houses in the same city, due to a range of factors. These factors include the:

  • Home’s energy needs

  • Size, shape, and angle of the roof

  • Local weather

  • Quality of the solar panels

  • Solar installer

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.*

In Albuquerque, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kilowatt solar system—the system an average house can accommodate—ranges from $13,450 to $24,900. Or, in other words, it would cost from $2.69 to $4.98 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

A measure of energy output, a kilowatt-hour (kWh) is 1,000 watts (a kilowatt) producing energy for one hour. The average U.S. household uses just over 900 kWh per month.*

Now is great time to go solar. Over the past decade, the cost of solar system equipment nationally has decreased more than 65%.* Additional federal, state, and citywide incentives have reduced expenses even further.

On the federal level, all Albuquerque residents who choose to go solar can benefit from the 26% federal tax credit, sometimes called the Investment Tax Credit. You can claim this tax credit when filing your federal income taxes for a percentage of your solar system cost. Some of the expenses you can claim for the credit include solar panels, permitting fees, and contractor labor costs.

Many Albuquerque residents can also take advantage of New Mexico’s Solar Market Development Tax Credit for a 10% credit on small solar systems. The program has an $8 million cap, so applicants receive the credit on a first-come, first-serve basis.

New Mexico’s a robust statewide net metering program helps make solar more attractive. With net metering, utility companies give you credit on monthly electric bills when you feed your surplus solar energy to the local grid.* For more information, check out your utility provider’s website.

Tax credits and incentives are subject to change. Similarly, the availability of net metering varies by location and is subject to change. Visit dsireusa.org for detailed solar policy information.

What’s the best way to go solar in Albuquerque?

Before going solar in Albuquerque, it’s important to note that solar systems are not one-size-fits-all for every property. Your unique energy needs, budget, and clean energy objectives will likely require custom solar solutions. As such, the easiest way to go solar is to enlist the assistance of a reputable, licensed solar provider.

Before meeting with a solar installer, use a savings calculator to quickly build a custom solar system design for your home. This virtual design will help you estimate how much money you’ll save on electric bills and the amount of power your system will produce.

The solar installer’s experienced team will then help you determine which system is best for your needs. These experts will work with you closely to ensure your new solar system adds to your home’s overall look while staying within your budget. Reputable solar companies also know about local and federal incentives that will reduce the initial costs of going solar.

Get started now. Request your consultation with the SunPower team. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.





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