Consumer Tips
What do you need to know before going solar?
Solar energy is a clean, renewable way to power your home.
- Your local utilities may have valuable rebates, and you may qualify for tax credits from Arizona for installing a solar system in your home.
- Solar Electric Photovoltaic (PV) panels can save you up to $500 per year on your electric bill according to APS.
- Installing a solar water heater can cover up to 50% of your water heating costs per year according to SRP.
Type of Solar Systems:
- Photovoltaic - Photovoltaic or PV systems use energy from the sun to convert its fuel into electricity to power home, cars, and other products that use electricity.
- Solar Water Heating - Solar heating or solar thermal systems use the sun’s energy to heat or cool water or air for your water heaters, swimming pools, space heaters, and air conditioning units.
- Geothermal - Geothermal energy extracts heat directly from the Earth to generate electricity. Specifically, hot steam is drawn from below the Earth’s surface or hot water or fluid is converted to hot steam. This hot steam is used to spin large turbines that power the electricity.
- Solar Wind - Solar wind uses large spinning turbines to gather kinetic energy from wind and convert it into mechanical energy using power generators.
Tax Credits and incentives may be available to consumers who purchase solar energy systems as well as rebates from APS or rebates from SRP for qualifying systems.
Important Questions to Ask Your Contractor
- Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? (Keep in mind that your contractor’s license should state they are licensed to install or repair the specific type of solar system you want (i.e. photovoltaic, solar water heater)
- Have you been in business in Arizona for more than one year?
- Do you have unresolved complaints with the Registrar of Contractors and is your license in good standing?
- Are there any unresolved complaints with the Better Business Bureau?
- Can you provide positive customer recommendations and referrals?
- Company participates in annual continuing education
- Participates in dispute resolution through third party arbitration
- Have signed a customer satisfaction Pledge of Performance
- Provide maintenance agreements
- Provide and explain written warranties
- Business address is published and service trucks are clearly identified
Additional Resources
Click For Additional Information on Rebates and Tax Credits.
Review a full Consumer's Guide on Solar Electricity from the Department of Energy.
Review a full Consumer's Guide on Solar Water Heating from the Department of Energy.