Instead of turning down their air conditioners, Maricopa residents can use the abundant sunshine to their advantage by installing solar panels to reduce their utility costs. Image source: The City of Maricopa
Maricopa is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona, with its population increasing by over 6.1% in 2021 alone. But, the number of residents isn't the only thing about Maricopa that's going up. Utility bills are rising too, thanks to higher electric rates and hotter average temperatures.
Utility prices in the state of Arizona increased by almost 5% from last year, with the average Arizonian paying about $136 per month for electricity. That's a whopping $1,632 per year! Compared to the national average of $117, it's no wonder Arizonians are looking for ways to cut back on their utility costs.
Maricopa, AZ utility costs at a glance
- Maricopa, AZ is serviced by Electrical District No.3, which charges about $0.09 per kWh of electricity used.
- Based on average energy usage, Maricopa residents can expect to pay around $105 per month for electricity.
- There are two main residential electricity rates available to Maricopa residents: standard residential and Time of Use rates.
- The best way to reduce energy costs in Maricopa is by installing a properly sized solar panel system.
- Solar panels installed in Maricopa can save an average household close to $1,000 per year.
How much does electricity cost in Maricopa, AZ?
How much you pay for electricity in Maricopa depends on which rate plan you choose, but generally you can expect to pay around $0.10 per kilowatt-hour. The city’s utility, Electrical District No.3, offers two main rate plans for their residential customers: the standard residential rate, and the Time of Use rate.
Residential rate plan
Table 1: Residential rate plan
| Energy charge per kWh* | Monthly service charge | Monthly minimum bill |
| $0.095 | $13.86 | $30.00 |
*Charges shown for overhead service. Underground primary service charges will vary.
The residential rate plan is pretty straightforward - you pay $0.095 per kWh of electricity your home uses. Your electricity bill will also include a monthly service charge of $13.86 that covers various utility costs like maintaining your account and reading your meter. The residential rate plan comes with a $30 monthly minimum bill, so no matter how much (or how little) electricity you use, your bill will never be lower than $30.
So how much would your electricity bill be with the residential rate plan? Let’s say you use 1,100 kWh of electricity in one month. You would pay $104.50 in energy charges, plus the $13.86 service charge, for a total electricity bill of $118.36, before taxes.
Time of Use rate plan
Table 2: Time of Use rate plan
|
Hours |
Summer energy rate per kWh* |
Super Summer energy rate per kWh* |
Winter energy rate per kWh* |
|
On-peak hours (2 PM - 9 PM) |
$0.14 |
$0.21 |
$0.12 |
|
Off-peak hours (12 AM - 2 PM; 9 PM - 12 AM) |
$0.05 |
$0.05 |
$0.05 |
|
Monthly service charge |
$14.80 |
$14.80 |
$14.80 |
|
Monthly minimum bill |
$30.00 |
$30.00 |
$30.00 |
*Charges shown for overhead service. Underground primary service charges will vary.
The Time of Use rate plan works a little bit differently than the standard residential plan. During on-peak hours, when electricity demand is high, the electric rate is more expensive than during off-peak hours, when electricity demand is low. For Electrical District No.3, on-peak hours are from 2 PM to 9 PM. So, electricity used at 6 PM will be more expensive than electricity used at 10 AM. The rates also vary by season. Electrical District No. 3 separates the year into three seasons:
- Summer (May, June, September, and October)
- Super Summer (July and August) when electricity is the most expensive
- Winter (November - April) when electricity is cheapest
Figuring out what your electricity bill will be with the Time of Use rate plan is a little trickier than it is with the residential rate plan. But, based on typical household usage, a summer month energy bill would cost about $105, a super summer bill would cost about $125, a super summer bill would cost about $140, and bills in winter months would cost about $60, including the monthly service charge
Solar panels can save Maricopa homeowners on their utility costs
Installing solar panels is one of the best ways to substantially reduce your energy bills. Solar panels generate electricity that your home can use right on your roof, so you reduce how much energy you need to take from the utility. With the right-sized solar panel system, you can eliminate the majority of your monthly energy costs, potentially saving hundreds of dollars a month. Installing enough solar panels to offset the average Arizona household’s monthly electricity usage could save you about $80 per month.
That adds up to almost $1,000 in electricity bill savings in just one year when you install solar.
What rate plan to pick with solar? Electrical District No.3 offers two rate plans for Maricopa residents who install solar panels: the distributed generation (DG) rate and the DG Time of Use rate. Solar homeowners can save more money on their electricity bills by using the standard DG rate.
Can solar panels eliminate your entire Electrical District No.3 bill?
Unfortunately, even with solar panels on your roof, you’ll still get a bill from the utility every month because of Electrical District No.3’s $30.00 minimum monthly bill requirement. But, spending $30 per month is better than $100.
Is installing solar panels in Maricopa, AZ worth it?
Getting solar panels installed can definitely be a worthwhile investment for Maricopa homeowners. Switching to solar can reduce your energy bills and save you thousands of dollars throughout the 25-year lifespan of the system.
But, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering solar in Maricopa. As previously mentioned, you won’t be able to eliminate your entire bill - you always have to pay the $30 minimum. It’s also important to note that the utility will pay you less than the full rate of electricity for excess solar energy your solar panels produce above your monthly energy usage.
Even so, solar homeowners in Maricopa can still see a solar payback period of just about 10 years with a properly sized solar system. Plus, residents have access to great solar incentives like the 30% federal solar tax credit and the Arizona state tax credit that reduces the upfront costs of installing solar and boosts long-term savings.
If you’re ready to start saving money on your utility bills, check out our state-of-the-art solar calculator. Not only can you see how much money you can save on utility costs, but you can also connect with reputable solar installers in your area to guarantee you get a quality installation at a great price.
Jen Merithew
Written Content Manager
Catherine is the Written Content Manager at SolarReviews, where she has been at the forefront of researching and reporting on the solar industry since 2019.