Our top picks for the best solar installers in Arizona have all been screened for experience, professionalism, reputation, years in business, cost, and other key factors. We make sure that every installer on this list has at least one NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installation Professional (PVIP) and a valid Arizona R11 or Dual CR11 Electrical license without any associated complaints or violations.
Arizona is a fantastic place to go solar. The Grand Canyon State is the sunniest state in the U.S. and Arizona even offers its own residential solar tax credit! Homeowners can save up to $1,000 on personal income taxes by installing solar, skip the sales tax in Arizona, and enjoy the 30% federal solar tax credit. With all that sun and all those incentives, the solar payback period in Arizona can be very short indeed!
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How we select the best solar installers in Arizona
- One or more NABCEP certified PV Installation Professionals (PVIP) on staff, not just PV Technical Sales Professionals (PVTS)
- At least five years installing solar or at least two dozen systems installed
- Workers compensation insurance and general liability insurance
- No BBB complaints (or minor ones with timely resolution)
- No state consumer protection office complaints
- Product warranties of 20 years or more
- Workmanship and production warranties of 10 years or more
- Valid CR11 or R11 Electrical license in Arizona, with no associated violations
- No active legal claims against the companies (we strongly favor those that have never had a customer make a legal claim against them).
Despite Zenernet and Pink Energy closing their doors, Arizona is still awash with solar installers, which isn’t surprising considering the popularity of home solar in the state.
The trouble, though, is that not all solar installers are up to the task and a shoddy solar installation can damage your home and ruin your finances.
Why trust this list?
Our top picks for the best solar installers in Arizona have all been screened for experience, professionalism, reputation, years in business, cost, and other key factors. We make sure that every installer on this list has at least one NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installation Professional (PVIP) and a valid Arizona R11 or Dual CR11 Electrical license without any associated complaints or violations.
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a global certification company and the PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Board Certification offers assurance that a solar installer knows what they’re doing when it comes to designing and installing solar energy systems, as well as operations, commissioning and maintenance.
The CR11 Electrical license permits the contractor to repair and install both commercial and residential electrical systems. This includes the C-11 Electrical license which allows technicians to “install, alter, and repair any wiring, related electrical material and equipment used in the generating, transmitting, or utilization of electrical energy less than 600 volts.” Basically, if a contractor doesn’t have a residential R11 license or a Dual CR11 license, you don’t want to them working on your solar system (or anything electrical in your home!).
We also favor companies that treat their staff well and where employees like working at the company. After all, happy staff usually aren’t dealing with angry customers all day, which is a good sign the company is doing things right!
LeafScore top picks for solar installers in Arizona
SunPower
Highlights: SunPower offers the highest efficiency solar panels and all the technical and customer support of a big business. The company has A+ BBB Accreditation, has a raft of NABCEP Certified employees, and is a longstanding solar company with more than 35 years in the business.
The SunPower design studio makes it easy to visualize how solar will look on your home, and the company offers home solar monitoring and high-capacity SunVault battery storage.
With SunPower, homeowners can access a variety of options for solar loans and leases, as well as purchasing a solar energy system outright. Each installation comes with a 25-year workmanship and system warranty and the panels are Cradle to Cradle Certified sustainable with in-built microinverters that make for speedy and seamless installation.
One downside of SunPower is that you only get access to SunPower equipment, meaning you can’t choose REC panels or a Tesla PowerWall, for instance. SunPower’s panels are a bit pricier than other panels, but they’re also the most efficient. All in all, expect to pay more upfront and recoup the savings over the life of the panels.
The upside of all the equipment being from SunPower, though, is that it is designed to work together, meaning no concerns over compatibility problems. Plus, your warranty covers everything, with no quibbles over whose equipment is to blame if something isn’t working quite right.
The other main potential issue with SunPower is that the installation is only as good as the local contractor working for the bigger company. SunPower has a huge network of certified solar installers, so you’ll want to check which company and crew will be working on your installation. In general, customers report positive experiences with SunPower, from sales to installation and aftercare.
Check out SunPower by PGT Solar if you’re interested in working with a local company that designs solar energy systems using SunPower products. PGT Solar is a Master Dealer for SunPower and handles the energy consultation, system design, and financing side of things. PGT Solar then works with SunPower to complete the installation, permitting, rebates, and maintenance. Note that PGT Solar is not NABCEP Certified, though SunPower is.
NABCEP Certified PVIPs
Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
A+ BBB Accreditation
Uses licensed electricians for installations (including Blue Raven Solar installers)
TFS Solar
Highlights: If you’re interested in sustainable energy and a sustainable business model, check out TFS Solar. The TFS stands for Technicians for Sustainability and that’s exactly who make up the team at TFS Solar – a B Corporation and employee-owned business.
This impressive company is based in Tucson, AZ, and was founded in 2003 (it became employee-owned in 2017). It boasts three PVIPs – Kevin Koch, Mark Gilbert, and Rafael Gil Ortiz and has a dedicated team of in-house installers with a fantastic track record for quality workmanship, diligence, and tidy, considerate, friendly work.
TFS specializes in solar energy and sustainable technology and is licensed to install residential and commercial solar systems. In 2021 alone, TFS installed 4.7 Megawatts of solar energy equipment and brought online dozens of new battery storage systems.
The company offers fully custom installations and is in it for the long haul, prioritizing education and taking care to listen to customers. Unlike many solar installers, the TFS Solar crew has the expertise to do more than just slap a cookie-cutter system on your home and walk away. In fact, TFS offers a 10-year workmanship warranty and proactive monitoring of all installed systems, meaning any production issues are caught and addressed quickly.
Chances are, though, that you won’t have any issues with this incredible team of technicians who genuinely care about every solar project TFS undertakes.
TFS is a Certified Tesla PowerWall installer and also offers Enphase IQ batteries. For solar panels, TFS Solar works with SunPower, REC, and LG Solar. As for inverters, you an choose from SMA, Enphase, Fronius, and PVPowered options.
TFS is upfront that a cash purchase or low-cost loan is the best option for going solar at home. The company won’t try to push you into a long-term lease that could cost you more than your utility bill. Instead, TFS partners with the Clean Energy Credit Union and Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union to offer solar loans with little or no money down, no prepayment penalties, and a better overall return on investment versus a lease.
Working with TFS means scheduling a free home evaluation for a rooftop assessment and analysis of your electric bills. TFS will then create a custom solar proposal with detailed information on the cost of installation and projected savings. If you sign up, you’ll pay your first deposit and the team will get to work on permitting and a comprehensive design. This is all done in-house. Once permits are in hand and you’ve approved the design, the team will schedule your installation and arrange all necessary inspections.
To help you make the most of your installation and monitoring set-up, TFS has created a Solar Education Portal. This is accessible to everyone, not just customers, and TFS even has a Kids’ Portal, featuring information and resources for the youngest solar advocates.
TFS lives its values, with staff using lower-impact transportation such as customized bikes and trailers and EVs to get around. It also boasts a solar-assisted hydronic heating system at its HQ, as well as a 12.4 kW solar energy system and battery storage. The company prioritizes products, partners, and vendors that are local, and socially and environmentally responsible (from its staff uniforms to web design).
TFS Solar also has active outreach, education, and donation programs and administers a Solar Grant Program. Through this program, TFS has hooked up seven local non-profits with solar energy systems!
Note that TFS Solar currently carries an F rating at BBB. This is likely due to BBB not having updated its records to reflect the current CR-11 Arizona license for this business.
- AZROC CR-11 Commercial and Residential Electrical license
- Three NABCEP Certified PVIPs
- Certified Tesla PowerWall installer
- B Corporation
- Employee-owned
Harmon Solar
Highlights: Harmon Solar is a woman-owned, family-owned and operated company with a long history in the state of Arizona. The Harmon family started out as electricians and have been in business for nearly 50 years. In 2008, the company branched out into solar, offering residential and commercial solar installations. The current owner, Julie King-Harmon was recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona by AZ Big Media and one of the 2022 Phoenix Titan 100.
Harmon Electric/Solar is BBB A+ Accredited and carries C11 and R11 licenses plus a general building license in Arizona. The Director of Operations, Bradley Yant, has more than 25 years of experience in residential construction and specializes in city codes, requirements and restrictions, having sat on the Tucson/Pima County Building Code Committee and Board of Appeals. This means a solar installation with Harmon Solar is unlikely to fall foul of any permitting issues!
There are two NABCEP Certified PVIPs on the team, Robert Wittmann and John Angelone. Wittman is also a PV Technical Sales Professional (PVTS) and is based in Scottsdale, AZ, while Angelone is based in Surprise, AZ.
Harmon Solar offers a full 10-year workmanship and roof warranty. It employs certified structural engineers and licensed electricians and has a lot of roofing experience in addition to solar know-how. With Harmon Solar you can purchase or lease a solar system.
Harmon Solar is a certified installer for Tesla PowerWall batteries and offers Sonnen and Enphase batteries too. For panels and inverters, expect to see options from Enphase, Fronius, SMA, REC, and Silfab.
Walking the walk, Harmon Solar HQ is powered by solar, thanks to an 80.64 kW DC PV solar system covering its parking lot. For this, it used Fronius inverters and Canadian Solar PV modules. The team also boasts a solar powered EV, complete with a wrapped solar panel on the roof and charging from its solar canopy array.
- AZROC C11 and R11 licenses plus a general building license
- Two NABCEP Certified PVIPs
- One NABCEP Certified PVTS
- BBB A+ Accredited
- Certified Woman-Owned
- Certified Tesla PowerWall installer
SunLink Energy
Highlights: SunLink Energy is based in Scottsdale, AZ, and is a BBB A+ Accredited business. New to the solar scene, SunLink Energy launched in 2019 but it already boasts dozens of residential solar installations and consistently happy customers.
This team really hit the ground running, with excellent partnerships with leading manufacturers and a quality team of professionals with lengthy experience in the solar industry. The SunLink team is fully licensed with a CR-11 Electrical license and one NABCEP Certified PVIP, Kevin Flaws, based in Phoenix, AZ.
SunLink uses REC and Enphase products for the most part and offers 24/7 monitoring. This means the team inspects all systems daily (remotely!) and contacts homeowners to schedule repairs and inspections proactively. Unlike with other solar installers, this means you’re unlikely to ever have lengthy periods of downtime where your panels are underproducing for any reason.
Because of its partnerships with manufacturers and its direct sales model, SunLink offers excellent value for money. The in-house teams mean every project has qualified electricians on site, installing equipment to code, reducing the risk of delays, damage, and drama.
The only downside to SunLink Energy is that it is new and small, meaning homeowners outside of Arizona can’t (yet) take advantage of this quality solar installer.
- AZROC CR-11 Commercial and Residential Electrical license
- Three NABCEP Certified PVIPs
- Certified Tesla PowerWall installer
- BBB A+ Accredited
Sunblaze Energy
Highlights: Sunblaze Energy is a locally-owned, full-service solar installer based in Tucson, Arizona. The company carries an A+ BBB rating and has been in business for more than seven years, installing both residential and commercial systems in Southern Arizona.
Sunblaze Energy mostly installs grid-tied solar energy systems, but it can also design and install solar plus storage and off-grid systems. The company is a Certified Tesla PowerWall installer and LGChem storage Partner. Sunblaze works with Enphase and SolarEdge inverters and offers Panasonic, REC, and Silfab solar panels. To maximize the benefits of your PV system, Sunblaze Energy offers energy consumption and production monitoring options.
Sunblaze Energy carries a Dual CR-11 license in Arizona and there is one PVIP on staff, Ronald Bayes, based in Tucson. The company does all work in-house, with no subcontracting and offers a 25-year parts, labor, and roof warranty. It also partners with Mosaic and Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union (TOPCU) to offer financing for home solar.
- AZROC CR-11 Commercial and Residential Electrical license
- One NABCEP Certified PVIPs
- BBB A+ Accredited
- Certified Tesla PowerWall installer
Elevation Solar
Highlights: Elevation Solar is one of the major national solar installers helping homeowners go solar in Arizona (and Texas, California, Florida, and Nevada). The company has been BBB Accredited since 2016 and is A+ rated, with one NABCEP Certified PVIP on the crew, Johnnie Richardson.
The unique selling point of Elevation Solar is that the company focuses on overall energy efficiency, meaning it isn’t interested in just selling you a huge solar array to compensate for massive energy consumption.
Instead, Elevation Solar takes a whole-home approach, prioritizing energy efficiency upgrades before designing a solar energy system. That way, you can reduce the energy you use in your home and get away with installing a lower-cost smaller array.
If you’re interested in granular monitoring of the energy flowing in and out of your home, Elevation Solar is also a top choice. This is because the company also offers its patented Curb home energy monitoring systems. Elevation Solar works with most major solar panel, inverter, and battery brands. These include LG, REC, QCells, Panasonic, and Generac, but not SunPower or Tesla PowerWall.
Elevation Solar won Contractor of the Year for the U.S. Department of Energy in 2019 but spread itself a bit thin in 2021. This led to some unhappy customers due to delays, miscommunications, and poor work by subcontractors. The Arizona licensing board also shows two complaints (both resolved) for Elevation solar in 2021 and 2022, both for inspection compliance.
Elevation Solar management has acknowledged these issues, apologized, and taken steps to hire more staff and give better training and support. Things seem mostly back on track for 2022, with customers reporting better processes for sales and permitting, installation and aftercare.
- AZROC CR-11 Commercial and Residential Electrical license
- One NABCEP Certified PVIPs
- BBB A+ Accredited
Sunny Energy
Highlights: Sunny Energy was founded in 2008 in Phoenix, AZ, by four experienced construction and solar professionals including a Master Electrician. The team prioritizes getting to know its customers, so it can understand their goals for going solar. That allows Sunny Energy to design a solar energy system that meets each customer’s needs, instead of rolling out a one-size-fits-nobody array.
It’s clear that Sunny Energy is in it for the long-term and understands that a sustainable business relies on good business practices and customer care. The company is locally owned and operated and takes pride in looking after its staff, which typically translates to happy people working for happy customers!
Sunny Energy doesn’t offer the same range of products as, say, TFS Solar or Elevation Solar, but can install SolarEdge, REC, and Generac products. It is BBB Accredited A+ and carries a Specialty Dual CR11 Electrical license in Arizona. There is one PVIP on the team, Joseph Cunningham, based in Tempe, AZ.
- AZROC CR-11 Commercial and Residential Electrical license
- One NABCEP Certified PVIP
- BBB A+ Accredited
Solar Gain Inc.
Highlights: In business since 2008, Solar Gain specializes in commercial and residential solar installations. These include rooftop, canopy, and ground mount solar, which Solar Gain can design, install, maintain, and repair. The company also installs EV charging equipment.
Solar Gain isn’t just a sales outfit. The company handles all aspects of solar installation projects, with a team including engineers, construction professionals, designers, surveyors, and one PVIP, Sol Hassler, based in Tucson, AZ.
Solar Gain is BBB A+ Accredited and has both commercial and residential electrical contractor licenses in Arizona. It is also licensed in California, offering homeowners a great option for going solar.
The downsides to Solar Gain are a lack of transparency over equipment and costs. It seems the company may favor Enphase, SolarEdge, SMA, and LG solar technology, but there’s no indication that Solar Gain is approved to install Tesla PowerWall battery storage or some of the higher efficiency solar panels such as REC and SunPower.
- One NABCEP Certified PVIP
- C11 and R11 Electrical licenses
- BBB A+ Accredited
Find a Solar Energy partner near you.