Solar guide · Arizona: Solar panels pros and cons in Arizona

01 · Savings

Pro: lower bills for decades

For most homeowners, the bill is the reason to go solar.

• Cut your electric bill

  Solar can reduce your bill by up to 100%. Most utilities charge solar customers a small fee, but the savings far outweigh it.

• Decades of savings

  Systems last around 30 years, so the savings keep adding up long after install.

• Sell back extra power

  With enough sun and the right panels, you can make more than you use. Net metering credits or utility export rates pay you for the extra.

• $0-down financing

  Many Arizona installers offer $0-down financing, so you can start saving without a big cash outlay.

02 · Home and planet

Pro: value, quiet and clean power

• Higher home value

  Per Zillow, homes with solar sold for 4.1% more on average than similar homes without. That premium applies to purchased systems, not leased ones.

• Renewable for good

  NASA estimates the sun has about 6.5 billion years left. Sunlight isn't running out.

• No emissions while running

  Making and shipping panels has a footprint, but it's far smaller than fossil fuel power.

• Silent operation

  No moving parts and no noise, unlike generators or wind turbines.

03 · The limits

Con: where solar falls short

Solar isn't perfect. These are the trade-offs to plan for.

• Upfront cost

  A 7 kW system in Arizona averages around $25,000. Financing can spread it out, but it's a real investment.

• Weather dependent

  Clouds reduce output. Arizona still gets 300+ sunny days a year, one of the best solar climates in the country.

• Nighttime grid draw

  Without a battery you still pull power from the grid at night. Battery backup solves this but adds cost.

• Roof size limits output

  Small roofs or two-story homes may not fit enough panels to cover all your usage. Some homes top out around 30% roof coverage.

Ask about roof space early. It's the con most homeowners don't think about until the design comes back.

04 · Your decision

Does solar make sense for you?

For most Arizona homeowners who own their home and have enough roof space, solar makes economic sense.

• Buy, don't lease

  If you care about the home value premium, own your system.

• Check your roof

  Solar should go on a roof that will outlast it. Replace an old roof first.

• Look at your usage

  A year of bills shows how much a system could offset.

• Think about nights and outages

  Decide if battery backup is worth the added cost for you.