Best Solar Companies in Scottsdale, Arizona

Solar can be a big investment. Our goal is to highlight companies that are best equipped to meet most Scottsdale residents’ energy needs, considering the hot desert climate.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team took a data-driven approach, informed by expert editors, to choose the best solar companies in Scottsdale based on the following key features and respective weightings:

• Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
• Warranty terms: 20%
• Equipment selection: 20%
• Financing and payment options: 20%

» MORE: Full methodology

Here’s what Scottsdale residents should look out for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with local and federal incentives.

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $7,560 to $21,600 in Arizona. Prices in Scottsdale are comparable, ranging from $7,615 to $21,756 on average.

Installers usually price systems according to their wattage. Nationally, costs per watt range from $2.50 to $5. In Scottsdale, the average cost per watt is $2.18. A typical Arizona household requires a system with a capacity of 9.2 kW to fully offset its electrical needs. Depending on your household energy use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

Average total solar installation costs by system size in Scottsdale

Arizona is actually one of the best states for solar. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 7 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost). On average, Arizona homeowners with solar panels can avoid $59,661 in total utility costs over 25 years.

Homeowners with solar panels typically save $20,000 to $90,000 over 25 years.

However, lots of shading around your house could make your solar system less efficient. Use NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year at your home. Project Sunroof is another free solar savings estimator powered by Google.

As long as your house is a good candidate to support a solar panel installation, it’s generally worth it in Arizona if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Still, with electricity costs continuing to rise, many residents find it’s financially worth it in the long run.

» STILL NOT SURE? Solar energy pros and cons

Potential roof problems

As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels — an expensive and frustrating process.

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

In our experience, the best solar companies in Arizona have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.

• Avoid scammers: One of the most common solar scams involves fake solar companies selling systems without any intention of really installing them. The other one is falsely claiming to be affiliated with Arizona government agencies.
• Check certifications: Only qualified solar contractors are allowed to install, repair or alter residential solar devices. You can verify these through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Look out for red flags — complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication are common themes in negative solar company reviews.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if the system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

» TIPS: Get the best solar quotes

How can I pay for solar panels?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets you get the benefits of solar without actually owning the equipment.

• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt; you also aren’t responsible for system maintenance.

» SOLAR PANELS: Buy vs. lease

Going solar in Maricopa County

The environmental impact of a single homeowner installing solar panels may be relatively small, but when enough people in a city like Scottsdale go solar, cumulative reduction in air pollution can be significant.

» GREENEST STATES: Arizona ranked 42nd in 2024

The federal solar investment tax credit reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. This is different from a deduction, which lowers your taxable income. For example, if you spend $10,000 installing a solar panel system, the ITC is worth $3,000. If you owe $15,000 in taxes, the ITC reduces what you owe to $12,000.

The ITC drops to 26% in 2033 and then 22% in 2034.

You can combine the following solar incentives in Arizona with the federal solar tax credit.

• State tax credit: You can claim 25% of your total solar system costs, up to $1,000, on your state taxes. Leased systems and PPAs are not eligible.
• Sales tax exemption: Arizona has a 100% state sales tax exemption on solar energy equipment (up to $5,000 per device).
• Property tax exemption: Solar equipment adds no taxable value for property tax assessment. In other words, your property taxes won’t increase just because solar panels increase your home value.

Additional solar incentives

Check DSIRE for the most comprehensive source of information about solar incentives and policies in Arizona.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Scottsdale, Arizona. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%

We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Scottsdale customers were given preference. 

Warranties: 20%

A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.

Equipment selection: 20%

We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.

Financing and payment options: 20%

We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.

ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:

1. Elevation
2. Sunrun
3. ShopSolar