How much does electricity cost in Maricopa, AZ?

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.

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

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

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 in Arizona can offset the average household’s monthly electricity usage and could save about $80 per month on electricity bills.

That adds up to almost $1,000 in electricity bill savings in just one year when you install solar.

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.