Arizona ranks as one of the top states for year-round sunshine and even higher in solar investment, making it a great place to transition to renewable energy. Arizona residents can maximize solar panel efficiency thanks to consistent sunlight, which can save them tens of thousands of dollars by reducing monthly electric bills.
The key to a successful solar panel installation experience is choosing the best solar company for you and your home. Learn about the best solar companies in Arizona, along with pricing information, customer service comparisons, and product options.
Key Takeaways
- The best solar company in Arizona is LGCY Power, based on our research and customer survey data.
- Arizona offers some solar incentives that can lower the cost of going solar, such as net billing and tax exemptions.
- According to our survey of over 1,000 homeowners, 57% were quoted below $20,000 for home solar.
Compare Top Solar Companies in Arizona
| Company | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|
A+ | 25-year equipment, 10-year workmanship | ||
A+ | Varies | ||
NR | 25-year equipment, 10-year workmanship |
Arizona’s Top Solar Energy Companies:
- LGCY Power: Best Solar Consultation
- Elevation Solar: Best Energy-Efficient Upgrades
- Tesla Solar: Best Solar Tech
Our Top Solar Company Picks for Arizona
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Certified partner of Sunrun, one of the largest U.S. solar companies
- Hands-on, guided installation process from start to finish
- Library of informative blogs and solar power guides
Cons
- Limited website details on offered solar products
- Some customer reviews noted customer support communication issues
- Varying product warranty lengths, depending on equipment
Why We Chose LGCY Power
LGCY Power offers a thorough solar consultation process, helping customers build the best custom system for their home. Customers receive a dedicated energy consultation that guides them through the solar panel installation. Its team also assists with applying for solar incentives, helping homeowners lower their solar panels costs. Its website includes guides and blogs on solar energy systems, financing options, and other solar-related topics.
The company works with Sunrun as a certified partner, offering its catalog of high-quality solar panels, inverters, and solar batteries. LGCY includes manufacturer and workmanship warranties. However, warranty length varies between products. LGCY also offers its customers ongoing system maintenance and 24-hour monitoring.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
LGCY offers product, inverter, and workmanship warranties. However, warranty length varies between its products.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPAs
Reputation and Awards
LGCY ranked 17th on the 2023 Inc. 5000 for the Rocky Mountain region. The company also ranked in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Utah Business chose LGCY for its 2019 Fast 50 list, recognized as one of the state’s fastest-growing companies.
The company maintains an A rating with the BBB* and is accredited by the organization. When checking online reviews, we found customers praised LGCY Power for its dedicated project managers and informed consultants but experienced communication issues with customer support.
Elevation Solar
Learn more: Elevation review
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Handles efficiency upgrades through in-house installation team
- Conducts full-home energy efficiency audits
- Offers advanced energy monitoring devices
Cons
- Is known for installation delays according to customer reviews
- Only available in four states, so may not be able to serve you if you move
- Doesn’t have lease or PPA financing options
Why We Chose Elevation
Elevation is focused on energy efficiency. The company sells high-efficiency panels, batteries, and energy-monitoring equipment. It also conducts whole-home energy audits to identify where you’re losing energy and increasing utility bills. Elevation will repair these issues so your home’s energy efficiency goes up while your electricity bills go down. Elevation also sells Curb energy monitoring equipment that tracks your home’s energy use, maximizes solar panel production, and eliminates wasted energy.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Elevation offers 25-year warranties for product and workmanship coverage.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
Reputation and Awards
Elevation holds accreditation with the BBB and maintains an A+ rating. The provider received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Home Performance with Energy Star: Partner of the Year Award in 2019, 2020, and 2021. In 2020, the company won the Silver Stevie Award in the Customer Satisfaction Strategy category at the 14th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.
After reading customer reviews, we learned that homeowners found value in the home efficiency audits and upgrades but were unhappy with installation process delays.
Tesla Solar
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Provides online quotes
- Provides 24/7 solar panel monitoring through the Tesla mobile app
- Protects solar panels with a 25-year performance guarantee
Cons
- Limits system size to four options
- Doesn’t provide installation in all ZIP codes
Warranty and Financing
Warranty options:
- 25-year performance warranty
Financing options:
- Full purchase
- Loan
States Available
All 50 states, but installation may be limited in some ZIP codes
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
What Solar Incentives Are Available in Arizona?
Arizona residents can save money going solar by taking advantage of the state’s solar incentives. Some of the most beneficial solar incentives in Arizona include:
- Federal solar tax credit: The federal tax credit lets you deduct 30% of your total solar expense from what you owe on your federal income taxes for the tax season after installation.
- Net metering: Most solar owners in Arizona qualify for their utility company’s net metering program. This is similar to a net-metering program, allowing you to generate credits on your utility bill for unused electricity your solar system generates.
- Property and sales tax exemptions: Arizona waives sales tax on solar equipment, so that’s one way to lessen expenses. The state also doesn’t charge you any additional property tax if your home value increases due to installing solar panels.
- Residential Arizona solar tax credit: The Arizona state tax credit reimburses you 25% of the cost of your solar panels, up to $1,000, on your personal income tax for the year you install the system.
What Are the Most Popular Solar Incentives?
- We surveyed 1,000 recent solar buyers in early 2024 and learned that 64% used the federal solar tax credit, 32% enrolled in a net metering program, and 30% took advantage of a local rebate program.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
When choosing a solar provider, it’s easy to focus on price, but several other factors can impact your overall experience and long-term savings. Here’s what to consider:
Solar Services
Here are the core solar services you should look for:
- Installation: Find out whether the company handles installations in-house or outsources to third parties. Companies with in-house teams often provide better customer service and streamlined warranty coverage.
- Product offerings: Some companies offer more than just solar panels, including solar batteries, inverters, and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. Bundling these products may help you save on costs.
- System monitoring: Check if the company provides remote monitoring, either through an in-house system or a mobile app, to help you track energy production and efficiency.
Warranties
A reliable solar company should offer multiple warranty protections:
- Manufacturer’s warranty: Covers defects in solar panel components
- Workmanship warranty: Also called a labor warranty, covers installation-related issues
- Performance guarantee: Ensures your system produces the energy output specified in your contract
Look for a company that provides at least a 10-year labor warranty and a 20-year manufacturer’s warranty. A 25-year warranty is ideal for long-term protection.
Payment Options
Solar financing options vary, so choose the one that best fits your budget and goals:
- Full purchase: Buying your system outright gives you immediate ownership and makes you eligible for all solar incentives.
- Solar loan: This allows you to finance your system with monthly payments while still qualifying for incentives.
- Solar lease/PPA: These options reduce upfront costs but disqualify you from most solar tax credits and rebates, as you won’t own the system.
If maximizing incentives is your priority, a full purchase or solar loan is typically the best choice.
Customer Support
A company’s responsiveness can make a big difference in your experience. Look for a provider with multiple support channels and extended service hours. Ideally, a company should offer at least a few of the following contact options:
- Phone
- Online chat
- Mobile app
- Online customer portal
- Website service request form
Before committing, test a company’s responsiveness by reaching out with questions. A prompt and helpful response is a good indicator of reliable customer support.
Which Solar Panel Installation Company Should You Choose in Arizona?
We’ve selected LGCY Power as the top choice for Arizona homeowners due to its high-quality solar panels and strong customer service. We recommend comparing options by requesting quotes from at least three solar companies before making a final decision. This allows you to evaluate pricing, warranties, and service offerings to find the best fit for your needs.
Before investing in solar, review your monthly electricity bill and compare it to your state’s average energy costs. If you consistently face high energy bills or live in an area with rising electricity rates, solar panels could provide substantial long-term savings. However, if your electricity costs are already low or you can reduce energy usage in other ways, the return on investment may be slower. Getting multiple quotes will help ensure you receive the best pricing and incentives for your home.
Other Arizona Home Service Resources
- Home Warranty Arizona
- Pet Insurance Arizona
- Moving Companies Arizona
FAQs About Solar Companies in Arizona
Is solar really worth it in Arizona?
Solar is worth it in Arizona due to the state’s high annual sunlight exposure and incentives. As of 2020, Arizona currently ranks fifth in the country in terms of total installed solar capacity at 4,765.73 MW.
Additionally, several utility companies in Arizona offer rebates for solar purchases. The combination of Arizona’s solar sales tax exemption, removal of property tax for solar added home value, and the Federal Solar Tax Incentive help to make solar worth it in Arizona, with a payback period of 11.5 years.
In addition to helping the environment by reducing greenhouse emissions, solar panels allow you to keep more money in your bank account each month. You save by using less electricity, a saving that kicks into high gear once you’ve cut enough in electricity bills to recoup the installation cost. You’re also likely to make more money when you sell your home.
What solar incentives are available in Arizona?
Arizona has two tax exemptions for going solar—the solar sales tax exemption and the property tax exemption. The first exempts sales tax from being applied to renewable energy credits. The second ensures your property taxes will not increase following the installation of a solar system on your home.
Does Arizona have a net metering law?
Arizona has a law similar to net metering called net billing. Arizona replaced their net metering law back in 2016 with net billing, otherwise known as a feed-in tariff. What this means is that you, as a customer, will be credited for any excess energy exported to the grid.
The difference between net metering and net billing is that the credits the utility company offers do not have to equal the retail rate of energy. While this leaves the rate up to your electric company, it still means credit back to you for any unused energy your home produces.
How much does a solar system cost in Arizona?
The cost of a solar panel system in Arizona is based on a few key factors such as your home energy consumption, exposure to sunshine, installation, and available solar incentives. The number of factors involved makes it difficult to give a one-size-fits-all price for a solar panel system that will fit every homeowner’s goals.
Most solar companies offer a free solar estimate that is based on your personal saving goals and budget. We’ll take into account every unique aspect of your situation, explain how you can take advantage of solar incentives, and even answer any questions you may have.
How long do solar panels last in Arizona?
Solar panel makers generally give guarantees of between 25 to 30 years. Amazingly, high-quality solar panels can continue working for years after the warranty expires, so up to 50 years of reasonable production is not uncommon.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
