This report presents an analysis of the financial returns that a photovoltaic system can provide for the average Arizona household. Special attention is given to construct a full comparison between the financial payoffs of a 4.5 kW photovoltaic (PV) system and an alternative long-term investment, such as a bond or certificate of deposit. The comparison shows that homeowners investing in solar energy can earn healthy untaxed returns, while gaining a hedge against future increases in electricity costs.

 

Numerical figures used for this analysis are largely reflective of statistical means.