Best Solar Panels for Homes in Phoenix, AZ

How to choose solar panels in Phoenix

There are several benefits Phoenix residents can experience with solar energy:

• Reduced electricity bills: Your energy bills will drop because you will be using solar electricity to meet more of your energy needs. The amount of money you save will depend on the size of the solar system and your energy usage.
• Tax credits: Once the solar panels are installed, you will receive a 30 percent federal income tax credit when you file your taxes. There are also state and local rebates available to generate a return on the initial investment.
• Low maintenance costs. Residential solar energy systems don’t require a lot of maintenance. Cleaning them a couple of times a year will do the job. Most solar panel manufacturers offer warranties between 20 and 25 years. The inverter is generally the only part that needs to be changed, usually every 10 years.

Phoenix residents can expect to see around a $5,000 resale value increase on their house per installed kilowatt. The state is ranked third in the nation for solar energy, with over 500,000 homes using solar panels.

Residential solar energy systems include monocrystalline panels made from high-purity silicon and characterized by their even coloring and uniform appearance. Polycrystalline panels are made from a block of raw silicon that has been melted and poured into a mold, then cut into perfect squares. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient, but cost more.

Your solar panel system should be installed where the panels will be exposed to the most sunlight. This is why solar panels are generally mounted on rooftops; however, they can also be placed on the ground. Ideally, a home would have a large, south-facing roof with a 30-degree pitch.

The average cost of a solar panel system in Phoenix is $15,050 before any rebates or incentives. Arizonans can receive a Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit that reimburses homeowners 25 percent of the cost of solar panels, up to $1,000 in the year the system was installed.

Solar panel companies also offer leases; however, the solar leasing company owns and maintains your system, so it’s entitled to the rebates and financial incentives that are available for the solar panel system.

You don’t need to worry about installing solar panels yourself. The solar panel company will install them for you. The manufacturer typically offers a warranty that falls into two categories: a performance and equipment guarantee. A performance warranty generally guarantees 90 percent production at 10 years and 80 percent at 25 years. An equipment warranty ensures around 10-12 years of operation without failing. Solar panel insurance is usually included in most homeowners insurance policies.