Arizona ranks among the best places in the United States to go solar. With nearly 300 sunny days per year and great solar incentives available, most homeowners save thousands of dollars by converting to solar.
Given the huge demand for solar panels in AZ, our experts reviewed several dozen providers to rank the our favorite solar companies in Arizona. Read on to learn more about the cost, services, and solar panels provided by Arizona’s top solar energy providers.
What Are the Top Solar Companies in Arizona?
Arizona is home to over 130 solar installers, so you’ll have plenty of options no matter where you live. Unfortunately, that means your decision will likely be a difficult one that requires a bit of research. We’ve done most of the hard work for you already and have determined that the below seven solar contractors are the best ones in AZ:
Compare the Highest-Rated Solar Companies in Arizona
| Company | Our Take | BBB Rating | Warranty | In-House Installation | Cost |
| SunPower | Overall | A+ | 25 years for equipment, workmanship, and efficiency | Sometimes | $$$$ |
| Sun Valley Solar Solutions | Best Local Installer | A+ | 25 years for equipment plus 10 years for workmanship | Yes | $$ |
| Verde Solar Power | Best Customer Service | A+ | 10 to 25 years for equipment plus 10 years for workmanship | Yes | $$ |
| ADT Solar | Best Warranty Coverage | A- | 25 years for equipment and performance | Yes | $$$ |
| Palmetto Solar | Most Comprehensive Service | A+ | 25 years for equipment and workmanship | Sometimes | $$$$ |
| Elevation Solar | Best Customization Options | N/A | 25 years for equipment | Yes | $$$ |
| Tesla | Best Technology | B | 25 years for equipment plus 10 years overall | No | $$ |
SunPower
4.4
Our Rating
SunPower is one of the oldest and most successful solar companies in Arizona. It has been in business since 1985 and is known for high-quality equipment and some of the best warranty coverage available. This is also one of the most reputable solar contractors in Arizona.
SunPower panels usually cost between $2.85 and $3.25 per watt. Since Arizona residents typically need an 11.5-kW system to eliminate electric bills, you can expect to pay between $32,000 and $37,000 for your solar energy system. After the federal investment tax credit (ITC) is considered, that’s between $23,500 and $27,500, on average. This is well above the average for Arizona.
SunPower provides a 25-year comprehensive warranty that is superior to coverage from most other solar companies in AZ. It covers the equipment, energy production, and workmanship for the installation. This is exceptional, and it’s great to have in Arizona, where monsoons and other extreme weather can put your panels at risk of damage.
SunPower installs solar panels, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and solar batteries and provides solar monitoring for all installed systems. SunPower only installs Maxeon solar panels, which are made by its sister company. This is one of the industry’s most efficient and sought-after solar panel brands.
This company accepts cash purchases, solar loans, and no-money-down options like solar leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs). SunPower has a referral program through which you can earn $100 for each referred customer.
SunPower does both in-house and contracted installations. It’s undergoing major internal changes and is converting to all in-house installations. For now, though, you could get either.
Many of SunPower’s in-house installers are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and the company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Sun Valley Solar Solutions
4.3
Our Rating
If you’re looking for a personal touch and local expertise for your solar installation, we strongly recommend Sun Valley Solar Solutions. This company delivers outstanding customer service throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Peoria, and more. It also provides great communication throughout the entire process and is knowledgeable enough to help you take advantage of Arizona solar incentives and rebates.
No average solar system prices are listed on this company’s website.
Sun Valley offers the industry standard 25-year equipment warranty. Unfortunately, the workmanship warranty lasts only 10 years, which is shorter than many other companies in the area.
Sun Valley accepts all financing options, including solar leases, PPAs, solar loans, and cash purchases. This company’s referral program provides a $300 bonus for each customer you refer that ends up installing solar.
Sun Valley Solar Solutions is a full-service solar installer. It handles solar panel installation, battery installation, and EV charger installation. It’s one of the few companies that also provide solar roof shingles, and it can also carry out solar panel maintenance and electrical upgrades and repairs.
Sun Valley installs only tier-one solar equipment, including brands like SunPower, LG, QCells, Solar Edge, Tesla, and Outback Power Systems.
Sun Valley partners with Habitat for Humanity and several other local organizations, utility companies, and programs. Its installers are certified by NABCEP, the company has BBB accreditation, contributes to local blood drives, and offers the Sun Valley Solar ASU scholarship and grant to give back to the local community.
Verde Solar Power
4.2
Our Rating
Verde Solar Power is a local company located in Cornville. As a small company, Verde can provide unmatched customer service and attention to each solar customer. It also has decent warranty options and provides top-level equipment at competitive prices.
Verde Solar Power doesn’t include average pricing for its systems online, but the costs are usually below average.
When you go solar with Verde, you’ll get a manufacturer’s warranty for equipment ranging from 10 to 25 years. The company also provides a 10-year warranty for workmanship, which is good but not ideal.
Verde Solar Power handles typical services like solar panel and battery storage installations. It also offers solar monitoring and can install off-grid solar solutions as well.
This company only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. While it is quite affordable, the lack of leases and PPAs could dissuade some customers.
Verde Solar handles all of its solar installations via its in-house installation team. This helps the company maintain control and provide the stellar service for which it has a reputation.
Verde Solar offers several solar equipment brands, including Solar Edge, QCells, Silfab, Canadian Solar, Schneider Electric, Fronius, Magnum Energy, Mission Solar Energy, and Solar World. It doesn’t provide access to some more popular brands, like SunPower, LG, Panasonic, or Tesla.
ADT Solar
4.4
Our Rating
ADT has provided home security services to homeowners for decades, and it recently acquired SunPro Solar to expand its services to renewable energy. It’s a nationwide installer with outstanding overall warranty coverage and good quality.
ADT Solar is around average when it comes to pricing. You can expect to pay around $22,000 for a solar system in AZ when you choose this company (after the ITC is considered). It only accepts cash purchases and solar loans. It’s not a good option for solar leases or PPAs.
ADT is an industry leader in solar warranties. It provides a 25-year all-inclusive warranty that covers equipment damage and malfunction, workmanship, and solar panel power production.
ADT installs solar panels, solar batteries, and EV chargers. Despite ADT’s size, it still performs all installations using in-house installers.
This company has one of the best referral programs in the industry, offering a $1,000 bonus for each referred customer. It also has a referral app that makes getting paid for referred businesses a breeze. This company has one of the best referral programs in the industry, offering a $1,000 bonus for each referred customer. It also has a referral app that makes getting paid for referred businesses a breeze.
ADT has a relatively small selection of equipment brands but includes some of the most popular options: Panasonic, LG, and Tesla.
ADT has several NABCEP-certified installers on its team, and it is a BBB-accredited company. It also partners with Energypro Home Energy and BuildPro Roofing to simultaneously provide easy access to solar and roof replacements.
Palmetto
4.1
Our Rating
Palmetto Solar is an outstanding national installer that offers full-service solar solutions and a wide range of additional options in Arizona, including home energy efficiency upgrades. It also offers a wide range of products and services and excellent warranty coverage.
Palmetto notes on its website that the average cost for its solar energy solutions is around $3.04 per watt. This would mean the typical 11.5-kW system in AZ would cost about $35,000 before the ITC. This is well above the average in the area and the country.
Palmetto includes a 25-year warranty for all equipment and for installation services. This is excellent, although there is no warranty or guarantee for power production or efficiency.
Regarding services, Palmetto excels above most other companies in the area. It provides standard options like installations for solar panels, battery backup systems, and EV chargers. In addition, it offers:
- Solar monitoring
- Solar panel cleaning and maintenance — a nice option in AZ where the 13 inches of annual rainfall often isn’t enough to keep the panels clean and at maximum efficiency
- Solar inspections and routine maintenance
- Inverter replacement
- Pest inspections and treatments
- Solar panel removal and reinstallation for roof repair or roof replacement
- Repairs for roof leaks
Palmetto does have a team of in-house installation experts, but it often outsources projects to third parties to keep up with demand. This can sometimes lead to below-average customer service.
Palmetto only lists Solar Edge and QCells as equipment brands it installs, but it can also get most equipment brands you’re looking for if you ask.
Palmetto Solar partners with Solar Sister, a Solar API Partnership with Exelon, and Get Solar Give Solar. The company is also accredited by the BBB and has several NABCEP-certified installers on its installation team.
Elevation Solar
4.1
Our Rating
Elevation Solar is a regional solar company headquartered in Chandler, AZ. This company is known for its customization options for solar panel systems and its energy efficiency upgrades for homes. This company is a one-stop shop for improving your home’s efficiency, which is essential in Arizona’s intense sunlight and heat.
Elevation Solar doesn’t have prices listed on its website.
This company offers a great 25-year warranty for all equipment. Unfortunately, there is no workmanship warranty or guarantee for power production.
Elevation Solar installs solar panels and solar batteries. It also offers solar monitoring and a slew of energy efficiency upgrades for your home. This company offers an easy way to maximize your home’s efficiency and reduce your energy bills, an important option for Arizona residents with some of the country’s highest electric bills.
Elevation Solar accepts cash purchases and handles financing in-house with several $0-down solar loans available. It also accepts solar leases and PPAs for maximum accessibility. Elevation Solar has a great referral program where you can earn $500 for each customer you refer.
Elevation Solar performs all of its installations in-house, so you’ll never have to worry about third-party companies providing subpar service.
Elevation supplies just a handful of equipment brands, but all are tier-one options and high quality. These include Tesla, REC, and Solar Edge.
Tesla
4.0
Our Rating
Tesla is a well-known titan in the tech industry, and while it’s better known for its electric vehicles, it also has some of the top solar technology. There are some downsides to working with Tesla, like the sometimes below-average customer service, but overall the quality is good.
Tesla is a bit on the expensive side if you buy its products outright. However, the company offers price matching, which means it will reduce its equipment costs to match competitors in the area.
Tesla provides a 25-year warranty for all equipment, including solar panels, energy-efficient solar roofing, and Tesla Powerwalls. However, the workmanship warranty is below average, with only 10 years of coverage.
Tesla provides access to solar panels, batteries, roofing, EV chargers, and monitoring.
This company only accepts cash purchases and solar loans.
Tesla outsources all of its installations to third-party companies. While this isn’t always bad, it can lead to issues with poor customer service. However, the company maintains some control over quality by only using certified installers.
What’s Our Final Verdict on the Best Solar Company in Arizona?
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), over 125 solar installers serve Arizona. This means you have your work cut out if you want to narrow down your options and choose one installer for your solar project. Picking a solar contractor will likely involve hours of research, which is very time-consuming.
Alternatively, you can choose a company we’ve reviewed above and have designated the best solar companies in Arizona. Our top pick is SunPower, a large company that services all of Arizona, provides outstanding warranty coverage, and installs high-efficiency equipment to help you take full advantage of the abundant sunlight in AZ.
Factors to Consider When Choosing The Best Solar Company in Arizona
Choosing a solar company is so complicated because there are many factors that you should consider in your decision, including local factors that are extra important in Arizona. We’ll discuss some of the more important considerations to make below.
Cost
Arizona residents usually require an 11.5-kW system to offset energy costs, which is larger than the national average. As such, prices will naturally be higher than average, so the cost is an important thing to think about.
Different solar panel companies have different price points for equipment and labor that can lead to differences of thousands of dollars for your entire system. We recommend choosing a few of our top picks for solar installers and getting free quotes from each to compare. It’s also important to consider the quality and value you get for the price.
Equipment and Damages Warranty
Solar warranties cover equipment damage, performance, or installation quality, and some of the leading warranty options cover all three — like the ones from SunPower and ADT Solar.
The equipment warranty is important in Arizona because the state is prone to intense winds and blowing debris during monsoon season. A lengthy equipment warranty means peace of mind, even during extreme weather.
Many AZ homeowners also prioritize efficiency warranties, as energy consumption and energy prices are above average in Arizona. High-efficiency panels can make the best use of the intense and plentiful sunlight in Arizona, and they are more likely to eliminate your utility bills and save you more in the long run.
Solar Services Offered
If you want solar panels installed, just about any solar company will suffice. However, many Arizona residents want solar batteries to provide power through the frequent blackouts in Arizona, most of which are caused by excessive strain on the electrical grid. If you want solar batteries, an EV charger, or other services, you can rule out any companies that don’t offer these options.
Financing Options
Given that solar panel systems in Arizona cost well above the national average, most solar customers cannot afford to pay cash upfront for their systems. If that’s the case for you, you’ll want to choose a company that accepts solar loans, at the very least. If you need a $0-down option or one that costs you the least upfront, choose a company that offers solar leases or PPAs. Remember that these last two options also save far less in the long run.
Do They Contract Installation?
Solar energy companies have two choices for installations: complete them using an in-house team of installers or secure business and then outsource the installation to third parties.
Companies that install solar panels usually have better control over the process and can provide superior customer service. However, companies that outsource installations can usually afford to charge lower prices for equipment and labor, and they tend to have more flexibility for installation timelines.
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
In addition to having options for solar installers, you’ll also have many options for the solar equipment brands you can install in Arizona. If you know what brands you want based on their efficiency rating or the manufacturer’s warranty coverage, you can rule out installers that don’t carry them.
Average Online Rating and Customer Reviews
Reading through some online reviews for the companies you’re considering is a good way to confirm that the company will provide quality service and good communication throughout the installation process. Customer review sites like Google Reviews and Yelp can help weed out companies that seem great on paper but fall short when delivering on promises.
Industry Partnerships
Arizona’s solar industry is booming, so the area is inundated with new solar companies to take advantage of the demand. Looking for industry partnerships is a good way to see behind the curtain. When solar installers align themselves with nonprofits and community and solar organizations, it’s a good sign that they’re in the industry for the long haul and stand up for their company values beyond profit.
Size of Company
Many solar customers don’t realize that the size of the company they choose can significantly impact their experience. Larger companies usually have more appealing prices and, in many cases, better flexibility for installations. However, smaller companies usually have a better handle on customer service and can sometimes provide better system customization options than national solar providers.
Today’s Homeowner’s Solar Companies Rating Methodology
At Today’s Homeowner, transparency and trust are our most important values for the reader. That’s why we took the time to create an objective rating system and score each solar energy company/service according to our methodology.
Our research team dug deep into the fine print of contracts, combed through more than one hundred customer reviews, and thoroughly investigated all of each solar energy company’s services, costs, and products. We’ve done the homework for you by researching nearly all of the solar energy companies on the market so you can have the information you need to make the best choice for your home.
We developed a formula to objectively determine the best solar energy companies and give each a score out of 100 based on the following criteria:
- Plan Options (30): Do they provide various plan options? We looked at the number of plans each solar energy company offered and the flexibility of adjusting the plan.
- Services offered (20): How many services are offered in each plan? We looked at whether the company manufactures its own solar panels, whether it contracts out installation, and what additional products each company offers.
- Trust (10): What do customers say after their solar panels are installed? Does this company offer a guarantee? We considered how satisfied customers are post-service if the company does what it says it will, BBB accreditation, and service guarantees.
- Prices (10): How reasonable are the costs of the plan or service in comparison to the industry average? We compared the costs of each company to competitors that offer the same solar energy services.
- Unique perks (10): Does the company offer discounts or special services such as financial incentives, rebates, or a useful mobile app? We looked for extras each company offers that set them apart from the competition.
- Customer Service (10): How is the customer experience when contacting the company? We considered the speed of response, weekend/holiday availability, and ease of communication through phone calls, email, and online chat functions.
- Nationwide availability (10): How many states does the company offer its services? Companies that operate nationally and in all zip codes are favored over those with limited availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most reputable solar company in Arizona?
In our opinion, SunPower is the most reputable solar company in Arizona. SunPower has been around since 1985, and it has a long-standing reputation for providing best-in-class equipment and stellar warranty coverage. It’s a bit on the expensive side, but most customers agree that paying for quality and peace of mind is worth the investment for clean solar energy. This is especially true in Arizona, where energy usage is high, and the risk of damage is present during monsoon season.
Why are solar panels not popular in Arizona?
Solar panels are absolutely popular in Arizona. In fact, it’s the fifth most popular state for solar panel installations. The popularity of solar has gone down a bit over the past few years because Arizona removed its net metering policy in 2016, which was a great way to help solar customers eliminate their energy bills and save money. Still, the plentiful sunlight and other solar incentives continue to make solar a popular option in the Grand Canyon State.
Will the heat in Arizona affect my solar panels?
Solar panels are designed to function and produce energy in all temperatures that you’ll experience in Arizona. Higher temperatures do reduce solar panel efficiency a bit, but the fact that AZ experiences around 300 days of sun per year — well above the national average of 205 — means there is still plenty of opportunity to offset your electric bills with solar panels.
It’s also worth noting that a lot of the energy consumption in Arizona goes toward home cooling. Solar panels absorb solar energy that would otherwise be absorbed by your roof and heat up your living space. Installing panels not only helps insulate your roof, keep your home cool, and reduce your energy needs, but it can also save you money on electricity at the same time.
Does Arizona have a solar tax credit?
Yes! In addition to the 26% federal solar tax credit, Arizona offers a residential solar tax credit for 25% of the system’s cost or up to $1,000, whichever is less. This helps further reduce the cost of going solar in AZ.
Is solar energy in Arizona worth it?
Yes, absolutely. For most customers, installing solar panels will provide energy savings that pay for the system within around 12 years and will then save over $20,000 on energy costs going forward. Arizona’s abundant sunlight and favorable solar laws help make solar an outstanding investment for most residents.
How long do solar panels last in Arizona?
Most solar panels come with a 25-year warranty, but they typically last much longer. Provided yours aren’t damaged by the monsoons in Arizona, you can reasonably expect a lifespan of anywhere from 30 to 40 years or more in some cases.
Do solar panels increase home value in Arizona?
Yes, solar panels will increase your home value in Arizona. The specific bump in property value varies, but Zillow estimates that your home will increase in value by over 4% after solar installation. Arizona also has a solar property tax exemption, which means this added value won’t cause your property taxes to go up.
Does the solar panel brand matter in AZ?
Yes, the solar panel brand you install is important no matter where you live, but especially in Arizona. AZ homeowners have some of the highest energy bills in the country, which means a large solar system is usually required to offset electric bills. Choosing a high-efficiency panel — like Maxeon panels from SunPower — will often let you take better advantage of the available sunlight and maximize your savings potential.
Additionally, durable panels with a long equipment warranty are best to stand up to the extreme weather that hits Arizona in the summer months.
