Solar Atlas · New Mexico
Is solar worth it in Albuquerque, NM?
A 7 kWdc rooftop array in Albuquerque makes about 12,453 kWh a year (NLR PVWatts, modeled) and pays back in 11.3 years at Public Service Co of NM’s 16.9¢/kWh residential rate (Aug 2025–Jul 2026), with no federal credit. Exports follow PNM net metering (Small PV, kWh credits).
35.08°N · 9.6–14.4 h daylight · site signature
- Production
- 1,779 kWh per kWdc per year · capacity factor 20.3% AC
- Residential rate
- 16.9¢/kWh · Public Service Co of NM
- Exported solar
- PNM net metering (Small PV, kWh credits) · credited at retail
- Climate
- cold semi-arid (Köppen BSk, bordering BWk) · 14.4 °C mean, 225 mm/yr
Source: NLR PVWatts v8.5.0 (NSRDB PSM V3 GOES tmy-2020 3.2.0) — 1 kW, tilt 20°, azimuth 180°, roof mount, 14% losses · fetched 2026-09-24 · modeled, not metered
Source: EIA-861M utility average · Aug 2025–Jul 2026 · EIA New Mexico average Jan–Jul 2026 15.1¢ · utility’s EIA-861 2024 average 15.6¢
Source: PNM (Public Service Company of New Mexico) customers with solar inverter capacity ≤ 10 kW AC · checked 2026-09-25
Source: NOAA NCEI Climate Normals 1991–2020, ALBUQUERQUE INTL AP, NM US (5.3 km away) · fetched 2026-09-24
No federal credit: the homeowner credit (§25D) ended for systems installed after 2025-12-31. A lease or PPA price may reflect the lessor’s §48E credit. 26 U.S.C. §25D(h) and (e)(8)(A) · policy as of 2026-09-24
Make it your answer
Start from your bill. Everything else is prefilled from this page and can be changed.
Your exact roof, or a business
The payback calculator runs hourly PVWatts at your address. The Modeler opens a grid-tied home at Albuquerque. A business goes to the Quote Studio with the 12.2¢/kWh commercial rate.