☀️ Peak sun hours in Mexico
Mexico is very sunny — roughly 5 to 6 peak sun hours — with the arid north and centre highest and the humid south a little lower.
| Region | Approx. peak sun hours (annual avg) |
|---|---|
| Northern Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua) | ~5.6 – 6.1 |
| Central Plateau (CDMX, Guadalajara) | ~5.2 – 5.8 |
| Baja California | ~5.5 – 6.0 |
| Southern & Gulf coast | ~4.8 – 5.4 |
Use your local figure in the solar panel calculator and the energy production calculator. Background: peak sun hours by location.
⚡ Electricity prices in Mexico
Residential electricity from CFE is subsidised at low-consumption tiers, but households that exceed the threshold are moved to the DAC tariff (Tarifa de Alto Consumo), which removes the subsidy and is far more expensive. Escaping or offsetting DAC is the single biggest driver of home solar in Mexico.
💸 Incentives & net metering
Mexico offers net metering (medición neta) for small-scale rooftop systems (generally up to 0.5 MW), crediting exported energy against consumption with CFE. There is no blanket national subsidy, but the DAC-avoidance savings alone often justify a system. Confirm current net-metering contract terms with CFE before sizing.
💰 System cost & payback in Mexico
Grid-tied rough guide:
| System size | Approx. cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | ~$2,500 – 4,200 | Small home |
| 5 kW | ~$4,000 – 6,800 | Typical home / avoid DAC |
| 10 kW | ~$7,500 – 12,500 | Large home / small business |
Work out your own numbers with the ROI calculator and the bill savings calculator, or design the whole system with the system report builder.
💡 Local insight: Mexico
The decisive factor in Mexico is the CFE tariff structure. As long as a home stays under the subsidised consumption threshold, grid power is cheap and solar's payback is slow. But once a household crosses into the DAC high-consumption tariff, electricity becomes expensive very quickly — and there a solar system with net metering can pay back in just a few years. The first question for any Mexican homeowner considering solar is: are you on, or close to, DAC?
🧰 Solar tools
Plan your system with these:
- Solar panel calculator — how many panels for your usage and sun hours.
- Solar bill savings calculator — how much you'll save.
- ROI calculator — payback period.
- Battery calculator — if you want backup.
- Full system report — design the whole system in one page.
Related reading: solar panels in hot climates, how many panels to run a house, and bill savings calculator.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many peak sun hours does Mexico get?
About 5 to 6. The arid north and Baja are highest (~5.6–6.1); the humid south a little lower.
Is solar worth it in Mexico?
Very much for homes on or near CFE's expensive DAC high-consumption tariff — solar with net metering can pay back in just a few years. For heavily subsidised low-tier homes the payback is slower.
Does Mexico have net metering?
Yes, Mexico offers net metering (medición neta) for small rooftop systems up to around 0.5 MW, crediting exports with CFE. Confirm current contract terms.
How much does solar cost in Mexico?
Roughly $4,000–$6,800 for a typical 5 kW home system. Get local quotes.
Note: Mexican CFE tariffs (including DAC), net-metering rules and prices change over time. These figures are approximate, for planning only — verify with CFE and a local installer.