Best Solar Companies in Arizona (2024)
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There’s no escaping the sun in Arizona. That makes the Grand Canyon State one of the best places to use solar energy to power your home. Transitioning to a solar energy system may seem daunting at first, but it’s a lot easier to start generating renewable energy than you might think. We’ve researched the leading solar energy companies in the United States, secret-shopping each service and analyzing customer reviews, warranties, and panel specifications to streamline the process.
This guide covers all the critical information you need to kickstart your solar journey in Arizona, including tax incentives and available providers. You can also try our easy-to-use tool to determine which reputable solar installers serve your address.
Top Solar Companies in Arizona
Based on our research, the following installers are the best solar companies in Arizona:
- Palmetto Solar: Most Protection
- Elevation: Best for Whole-house Efficiency
- Sunrun: Best for Home Builders
- Tesla Energy: Most Aesthetic
- Solar4America: Best for Smaller Solar Projects
Compare Arizona’s Top Solar Companies
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Link |
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| B+ | VISIT SITE |
SunPower
- Warranty Options: 25-year system and labor warranty
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Maxeon)
- Payment Options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and power purchase agreement (PPA)
What We Like: SunPower is an experienced and knowledgeable company foundational to the residential solar industry. Started in 1985 in San Jose, California, SunPower offers a comprehensive combination system-and-labor warranty. The company also builds fully customized solar power systems with its SunPower Design Studio. Its software lets you see exactly how SunPower designs your system to match your home’s needs and local climate.
SunPower works with Maxeon Solar Technologies, which was initially part of SunPower but is now an independent solar panel manufacturer. Because of this unique partnership, SunPower handles the manufacturing, installation, and activation of your solar panel system in one seamless process.
Palmetto Solar
- Warranty Options: 25-year manufacturer warranty
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Q Cells)
- Payment Options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and PPA
What We Like: Solar panels are more durable than most people expect, but Arizona’s intense heat and haboobs can lead to problems. Palmetto Solar understands this concern, so it offers the Palmetto Peace of Mind Plan. This optional $12-per-month plan includes active monitoring of your solar power system and discounts on valuable services like panel cleaning, repair, and solar battery storage.
Palmetto Solar has a 25-year manufacturer warranty for its monocrystalline solar panels from Q Cells. The company also has a Palmetto App, which lets you track your system’s performance by day, week, and month and helps you set goals for savings and power output.
Elevation
- Warranty Options: Minimum 25-year manufacturer warranties on products and labor
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Various manufacturers)
- Payment Options: Full Purchase and solar loan
What We Like: Elevation offers a unique, all-inclusive solar energy system through its Elevated Home program. First, the solar installation company performs an energy efficiency audit of your home. Then, its team designs a system to meet every aspect of your energy needs, including installing Tier 1 monocrystalline solar panels, high-quality microinverters, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and solar backup batteries.
This also comes with energy monitoring on Elevation’s Curb smartphone app, which connects to your home’s electrical system via the Curb Power Hub. You receive real-time data about what parts of your system cost the most money so you can cut down on expenses. In addition, the app lets you turn off devices synced to SmartThings IoT, such as Samsung and Ring products.
Solar4America
- Warranty Options: Varying warranties per product (10-12 year quality assurance, 25-year performance guarantee)
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Solar4America)
- Payment Options: Full purchase and solar loan
What We Like: Solar4America manufactures and installs its own monocrystalline solar panels. The company has a variety of impressive, high-efficiency options. Namely, its 550W 144 Half Cut Mono PERC High-Efficiency Solar Panel. This panel operates at a 21.4% efficiency rate and is backed by a 12-year quality assurance guarantee and a 25-year performance guarantee.
If you want to make your RV or boat more eco-friendly, Solar4America also offers an easy-to-install All-In-One DIY Kit with a 100w solar panel and 20a PWM controller. This simple kit includes all of the necessary mounting brackets and cables.
Solar4America’s network of licensed and approved installers changes by ZIP code, so we recommend reaching out to the company to see if your address is serviceable.
Sunrun
- Warranty Options: 25-year workmanship and product warranty
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (various manufacturers)
- Payment Options: Full purchase, solar loan, solar lease, and PPA
What We Like: If you’re building a new roof or home, Sunrun is the solar provider for you. The company offers a unique BuilderChoice New Homes Program that works with your choice of roofers to subcontract all labor. This allows you to receive trusted customer service and products from a national solar prover while personalizing the process. Sunrun’s program is also compliant with Arizona code and provides a dedicated team to handle all the complicated paperwork required by local utility companies and government municipalities.
Tesla Solar
- Warranty Options: 25-year performance guarantee
- Panel Options: Monocrystalline (Q Cells)
- Payment Options: Full purchase and solar loan
What We Like: Tesla’s popular line of electric vehicles (EVs) has made it one of the biggest names in alternative energy, but the company has branched out into residential solar power in recent years. It’s primarily known for its unique solar shingles and popular solar battery, the Tesla Powerwall.
Rather than simply placing solar panels on top of your existing roof, Tesla creates an entirely new solar roof with its solar shingles. These panels mimic the appearance of roof shingles to create a slick, low-profile appearance that helps you maintain your home’s aesthetic. This solar panel system is ideal for anyone concerned about keeping or raising their home’s curb appeal.
The Tesla Powerwall is a popular energy storage device that supplies your home with backup power during power outages and at night. If you want a fully integrated home powered by renewable energy, combine Tesla’s solar roof and Powerwall with its mobile app. The app lets you monitor your Tesla solar energy system 24/7 from any location.
How We Chose the Top Solar Providers
We researched and analyzed dozens of solar panels and solar installation companies. We then formulated a rating system based on each solar installer or manufacturer’s services. We considered several significant factors, including the quality and type of solar panels offered, warranty lengths and limitations, and additional benefits for homeowners such as customer service and mobile apps for monitoring.
Speaking directly to a representative, we determined how each solar company personalizes its solar panel installation for each home. We also looked at each company’s warranty options to ensure their product and performance guarantees match or exceed industry standards.
We evaluated every provider based on their rating and history with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to determine reputation. In addition, we analyzed the 100 most recent Google Reviews for each provider across various locations and branches.
Our Recommendation
Arizona offers plenty of sunshine and wide-open skies, making it ideal for solar power. It also has tax incentives, solar rebates, and easy access to top-tier solar installers. However, the right provider for you can vary by location and your specific solar energy needs. A home in the heart of Tucson will require a different solar energy solution than one in the less congested areas of Scottsdale or Sedona.
SunPower is a reputable solar company with several decades in the industry. Their partnership with manufacturer Maxeon allows them to provide some of the most energy-efficient panels on the market, and they offer an impressive system-and-labor warranty. SunPower also gives customers flexibility, with customizable solar setups and a variety of payment options.
If you’re looking to create a fully integrated renewable energy system that improves your entire home’s carbon footprint, Elevation is another great option. Or, if you have a smaller-scale solar project, like an RV or pool house, you may want to consider Solar4America’s All-In-One DIY Kit. Whichever your choice, we recommend getting at least three quotes from different solar installers to compare options. Use our tool below to kickstart this step of the process.
Factors That Affect Solar Installation Cost in Arizona
Numerous factors impact the cost of a solar panel system. We’ve listed some of the most significant ones below.
- Energy consumption: The higher your average monthly electricity bill, the more you can expect to save with solar energy. However, you may have a slightly higher up-front cost because you’ll need more panels and components to power your home.
- Solar panel type: The type of solar panel your system uses also influences the overall cost. Monocrystalline solar panels tend to be more expensive than polycrystalline and thin-film panels. This is because the manufacturing process for monocrystalline panels is more extensive. However, they offer the highest efficiency rates.
- Roof type: Solar panels work on many types of roofs, including metal, shingle, and flat roofs. However, each roof type requires different labor and components to install a solar system properly. A roof with multiple chimneys to work around may require more labor, while a south-facing roof with a steep angle of 45 degrees to 60 degrees will yield better power output and thus need fewer panels than other roofs.
- Shading: A system that experiences total sun exposure will produce more energy with fewer panels. That may not be as much of an issue in Arizona, but if your home experiences a lot of shade from trees or surrounding buildings, you might have to purchase more panels to provide the right amount of energy.
- Payment option: If you opt for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you can’t take advantage of tax incentives and rebates. Other financing options, like a solar loan, are more cost-effective, though you’ll pay more over time due to interest rates. Purchasing your solar panels outright has a higher up-front cost but will save you the most money in the long run.
Solar Tax Incentives in Arizona
Arizona’s net-metering programs and statewide solar tax credits make it incredibly solar-friendly. See the most popular Arizona solar incentives below to learn which ones you might qualify for.
Provider | Incentive Name | Description |
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Residential Solar Energy Credit |
The Residential Arizona Solar Tax Credit reimburses you 25% of the cost of your solar panels and up to $1,000 on your personal income tax in the year you install the system. This credit is available to individual taxpayers who install a solar energy device at the taxpayer’s Arizona residence. The credit is allowed against the taxpayer’s income tax in the amount of 25% of the cost of a solar or wind energy device, with a $1,000 maximum allowable limit, regardless of the number of energy devices installed. The credit must claimed in the year of installation, and if the amount of the credit exceeds a taxpayer’s liability in a single year, the unused portion of the credit may be carried forward for up to five years. |
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Solar Equipment Sales Tax Exemption |
In addition to the Solar Tax Credit, the Arizona Department of Revenue provides a sales tax exemption for the retail sale of solar energy devices and the installation of solar energy devices by contractors. However, this sales tax exemption does not apply to solar batteries, controls, and other components that are not directly part of the system. |
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Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption |
In addition to the incentives listed above, you also won’t have to pay any additional property taxes on the value you are adding to your Arizona home by installing a solar panel system. |
What to Expect From Your Solar Installation Inspection
A significant part of your solar journey is the initial home inspection. This helps the installer figure out which rigging system, panels, inverters, energy storage systems, and other vital components of a solar system your home needs. Below are the steps a solar installation inspection typically follows:
- Roof inspection: The installer takes measurements to check the dimensions of your roof. They identify any existing roof obstructions and discuss modifications to the proposed layout. Roof damage, such as broken tiles and worn shingles, is also photographed.
- Attic inspection: A solar provider checks your attic for accessibility and assesses the truss layout, or the assembly of beams and nodes. If the layout is complicated, the installation company will have to figure out how to work around it.
- Electrical inspection: The solar installer evaluates your home’s current electrical system and creates a plan to integrate it with your solar system. The technician also notes the locations of electrical conduits and any disconnecting means, such as electrical outlets.
- Internet inspection: The installer may also ask about your internet access. This is to determine what performance monitoring hardware should be installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is solar a good idea in Arizona?
Yes, solar is a good idea in Arizona. The state offers excellent solar tax incentives, easy access to top-rated solar providers, and plenty of sunshine year-round.
Can you run a house on solar power alone?
Yes, you can run a house on solar power alone. You may even be able to profit from solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) if your panels produce more energy than you consume. A completely off-grid home not connected to a utility company is also possible, but will be more costly.
Is Arizona too hot for solar?
No, Arizona is not too hot for solar. Solar panel systems are popular in the state because of its clear, frequently sunny skies. However, Arizona’s hot summers can cause a dip in efficiency depending on a solar panel’s temperature coefficient.The temperature coefficient is the percentage of power output lost by a solar panel if its temperature rises above a certain point. If the solar panel exceeds this point, its efficiency decreases. Be sure to ask your solar provider what you can expect from a solar panels’ performance in high heat.
How many kilowatts does a home need?
The number of kilowatts of solar energy your home requires depends on its size and your energy usage. The average U.S. home uses around 900 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month.
Read more: Our Methodology
