Homeowners looking to go solar in Arizona are very fortunate; we have abundant sunshine 300 days a year, large roofs with very little shade or obstructions, and a skilled, experienced workforce that’s been at the forefront of solar deployment for years.
We recommend reviewing the “Helpful Resources” below in advance of obtaining bids. We recommend obtaining three bids, with at least one being from an AriSEIA member company. Once you have bids, a nonprofit, Solar United Neighbors (SUN), will review up to three bids to help you determine which will work best for you.
You can view AriSEIA member companies here.
Helpful Resources:
In addition to the above information, there are several Arizona specific aspects you should take into account when researching solar.
All the utilities treat solar energy differently, with different policies and rate structures.
Due to the Arizona climate patterns, homes typically use a lot of electricity in the summer months to run the air conditioning, and not much in the fall, winter and spring. The solar system produces power all year round, so the average home solar system will export 60-65% of the power it produces back to the utility. Because so much power is sent back to the utility grid, the impact of rate structures and policies is very important.
When researching a solar system for your home, it is important to understand the utility rate structures and policies regarding solar energy. The same solar system will have a very different effect on your electric bill depending on whether your utility is Arizona Public Service (APS), Tucson Electric Power (TEP), Salt River Project (SRP), TRICO, or another utility. The rate structures and policies can be found on the utility company websites.
Solar systems are highly customized to the individual house and the energy use of the occupants. A “one size fits all” approach to solar simply does not work. You will need to review your energy usage, consider your goals for your system, and set expectations properly regarding what solar can and cannot do. Other considerations include home batteries and how they can fit into your energy plan.
Unlike some other states, Arizona has very few regulations regarding who may sell products to homeowners or how. Some unscrupulous solar contractors and their salespeople can take advantage of the lack of regulations and the novelty of solar and sometimes mislead customers about what a solar system can do for them, such as promising “no more utility bills,” unrealistic savings figures, or inaccurate claims about what solar or batteries can technically do. It is critical that you do your research, talk to other solar homeowners, read online reviews from multiple sources, and even talk to your utility company before making a purchase. Several utilities have lists of solar companies they know to be reputable and will share the names with you if asked.
It is important to be an educated consumer, know your energy usage (or try and determine a reasonably close estimate if the house is new to you – talk to neighbors or friends with similar sized houses), understand how your utility treats solar, and know what you want to accomplish with a solar system. It is recommended that you get a number of quotes and compare them; usually 3-4 is sufficient. Be wary of unrealistic projections regarding the system production, amount of savings, or utility rate increases. Historically, utility rates have risen about 2.5% per year in Arizona, much higher numbers should be scrutinized. Also be on alert for things that sound too good to be true, like “you won’t have an electrical bill anymore” or “the government will pay you to go solar” or “this system produces twice as much power as the competitor’s system.”
Home batteries are a new and exciting offering in the solar industry, allowing you to produce and store your own energy. Generally, home batteries will not power large loads like air conditioners and clothes dryers in a power outage; they are mainly for critical items like the refrigerator, lights, and charging phones and laptops. It is important to understand the reality of what batteries can and cannot do. Claims such as, “the battery can power your whole house during a grid outage” are incorrect.
A well-designed system will last for decades, providing clean energy, lower bills, and protection from utility rate increases. Take your time, do your research, and choose a reputable solar installer. If you have trouble with a solar contractor, first try talking with the company. If that does not work, you can contact the Registrar of Contractors or the Attorney General’s Office, as well as the Better Business Bureau.
We recommend reviewing the “Helpful Resources” below in advance of obtaining bids. We recommend obtaining three bids, with at least one being from an AriSEIA member company. Once you have bids, a nonprofit, Solar United Neighbors (SUN), will review up to three bids to help you determine which will work best for you.
You can view AriSEIA member companies here.
Helpful Resources:
- SEIA Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power
- SEIA Solar Customer Resource Portal
- Solar United Neighbors
- 7 Red Flags in a Solar Sales Pitch
- SRP Preferred Solar Installers Program: (602) 889-2657
- APS Qualified Installer Program
- NREL Solar Consumer Protection
In addition to the above information, there are several Arizona specific aspects you should take into account when researching solar.
All the utilities treat solar energy differently, with different policies and rate structures.
Due to the Arizona climate patterns, homes typically use a lot of electricity in the summer months to run the air conditioning, and not much in the fall, winter and spring. The solar system produces power all year round, so the average home solar system will export 60-65% of the power it produces back to the utility. Because so much power is sent back to the utility grid, the impact of rate structures and policies is very important.
When researching a solar system for your home, it is important to understand the utility rate structures and policies regarding solar energy. The same solar system will have a very different effect on your electric bill depending on whether your utility is Arizona Public Service (APS), Tucson Electric Power (TEP), Salt River Project (SRP), TRICO, or another utility. The rate structures and policies can be found on the utility company websites.
Solar systems are highly customized to the individual house and the energy use of the occupants. A “one size fits all” approach to solar simply does not work. You will need to review your energy usage, consider your goals for your system, and set expectations properly regarding what solar can and cannot do. Other considerations include home batteries and how they can fit into your energy plan.
Unlike some other states, Arizona has very few regulations regarding who may sell products to homeowners or how. Some unscrupulous solar contractors and their salespeople can take advantage of the lack of regulations and the novelty of solar and sometimes mislead customers about what a solar system can do for them, such as promising “no more utility bills,” unrealistic savings figures, or inaccurate claims about what solar or batteries can technically do. It is critical that you do your research, talk to other solar homeowners, read online reviews from multiple sources, and even talk to your utility company before making a purchase. Several utilities have lists of solar companies they know to be reputable and will share the names with you if asked.
It is important to be an educated consumer, know your energy usage (or try and determine a reasonably close estimate if the house is new to you – talk to neighbors or friends with similar sized houses), understand how your utility treats solar, and know what you want to accomplish with a solar system. It is recommended that you get a number of quotes and compare them; usually 3-4 is sufficient. Be wary of unrealistic projections regarding the system production, amount of savings, or utility rate increases. Historically, utility rates have risen about 2.5% per year in Arizona, much higher numbers should be scrutinized. Also be on alert for things that sound too good to be true, like “you won’t have an electrical bill anymore” or “the government will pay you to go solar” or “this system produces twice as much power as the competitor’s system.”
Home batteries are a new and exciting offering in the solar industry, allowing you to produce and store your own energy. Generally, home batteries will not power large loads like air conditioners and clothes dryers in a power outage; they are mainly for critical items like the refrigerator, lights, and charging phones and laptops. It is important to understand the reality of what batteries can and cannot do. Claims such as, “the battery can power your whole house during a grid outage” are incorrect.
A well-designed system will last for decades, providing clean energy, lower bills, and protection from utility rate increases. Take your time, do your research, and choose a reputable solar installer. If you have trouble with a solar contractor, first try talking with the company. If that does not work, you can contact the Registrar of Contractors or the Attorney General’s Office, as well as the Better Business Bureau.
Has the company that installed your solar closed? AriSEIA is the state's solar, storage, and electrification trade association. We advocate for pro clean energy policy at every level of government in Arizona. We also are working to enhance consumer protections in the residential rooftop solar industry. Our members sign a Code of Ethics. These companies are AriSEIA members that have expressed interest in helping solar homeowners with warranties, maintenance, and other service issues. Just as with finding a solar installer, we suggest referring to the helpful resources listed above to help you find the right company for your needs. Find the list of companies here.
AriSEIA is working with Vote Solar and Solar United Neighbors to provide homeowner education resources for buying solar. The webinar and slides in English and Spanish from our Buying Solar 101 webinar are below:
