Solar strengthens Yavapai County!
Located in north-central Arizona, Yavapai covers over 8,100 square miles. Approximately 240,000 people live in the county, with Prescott serving as the county seat.
Key Facts
Yavapai County relies on a mix of groundwater (~75%) and surface water (~25%), with the Verde River serving as the primary surface water source alongside Granite Creek and several Salt River tributaries. Agricultural irrigation accounts for the largest share of water use, followed by municipal and residential demand with the Prescott Active Management Area (AMA) under active conservation mandates due to long-term aquifer depletion. (source)
Yavapai County has no major coal infrastructure, making it one of Arizona's cleaner energy counties by default. The county receives over 275 days of sunshine annually and hosts growing utility-scale solar development, particularly in the Congress and Kirkland Junction areas. APS serves most of the county and has sited renewable projects in the region as part of its coal-to-clean transition.
The largest employers in Yavapai County are health care, retail trade, and public administration, together accounting for over 50% of jobs. Construction is the next largest sector — driven by rapid residential growth in the Prescott metro — followed by accommodation, food services, and education.
Get Involved
In a county where water is everything, solar isn’t just good energy policy—it’s good water policy. Investing in local, affordable clean energy is a win for Yavapai’s rivers, aquifers, and agriculture.
“Solar power supplies electric power for greenhouses, crop aggregation, and food processing facilities.”
– Yavapai County 2032 Comprehensive Plan (pg. 101)
But, a recently approved zoning ordinance singles out solar energy for unnecessary red tape. It’s government overreach and it will cost the region good jobs, community investment, and a stronger water future.
Demand for energy is growing and, done right, solar is the best solution for Yavapai County.
