Solar Panel Cost Guide in Tucson, AZ (2024 Update)
- Tucson Solar Installation Cost: $10,974
- 25-Year Savings: $24,142
- Payback Period: 8.2 Years
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Tucson
Find out what the average cost of solar panels are in Tucson.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Tucson is 3 per watt.Since a 5.1-kW system is needed to cover the energy usage of a typical home in Tucson, the average price of going solar will be about $10,974 after claiming the federal solar tax credit of 0.
The true price you pay can be higher or lower than the average in Tucson depending on a few factors, such as the type of solar panels you choose and the solar company you hire.Many homeowners find going solar is a rewarding investment. The average homeowner in Tucson can save about $25,000 on their power bills over 20 years.
To calculate your potential savings and connect with a local solar expert, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Tucson
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-9,416 |
| 3 years | $-6,299 |
| 5 years | $-3,182 |
| 7 years | $-65 |
| 9 years | $3,052 |
| 11 years | $6,169 |
| 13 years | $9,286 |
| 15 years | $12,403 |
| 17 years | $15,520 |
| 19 years | $18,637 |
| 21 years | $21,754 |
| 23 years | $24,871 |
| 25 years | $27,988 |
Top Solar Installers in Tucson
Do-it-yourself solar panel installation is a choice some homeowners opt for, but it's an undertaking that can take a lot of hard work. Using a solar company can make swapping over to solar power much easier. Solar installers offer key benefits that can help you get the most out of your investment, like warranties, monitoring and free repairs.
Working with a vetted solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
See all of the solar companies in Tucson
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Tucson
The cost of installing a solar system in Tucson can vary by more than $10,000 from home to home. Your actual cost is dependent on several factors. The most significant one is your system size, and other factors include equipment choices, financing options and the solar company you choose.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the cost of solar panels in Tucson, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are largely based on your home’s energy usage, which you can determine by looking at past power bills. Your total cost can increase by about $3,070 for each additional kilowatt you need.The type of solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you choose the most efficient solar panel brands, you’ll end up paying more upfront than if you opted for the most affordable panels. On the other hand, higher efficiency could save you more in the long run on your power bills. In addition, extra products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Tucson average.
Solar Financing Terms
Most solar installers in Tucson provide solar loans, which reduce your upfront costs of installing solar panels.However, the interest on solar loans also increases your overall costs, so it’s crucial to keep that in mind as well. You can always bring down the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by making a larger down payment.
Solar Panel Installation Company
A final consideration when trying to estimate the cost of solar for your home or business in Tucson is the company you hire to install your PV system. As with choosing a company to renovate your kitchen, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that offer a range of services at different costs.Some companies only sell high-quality, high-efficiency and high-price products — like Maxeon solar panels from SunPower or Tesla Powerwall batteries — so choosing those installers will generally come at a higher cost. It’s best to do some research and choose a company that has the products, warranties and services you want and also is within your budget.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $3.19 | $13,410 | $25,917 | 8.5 years |
| 8 kW | $3.13 | $17,536 | $34,900 | 8.4 years |
| 10 kW | $3.07 | $21,490 | $44,055 | 8.2 years |
| 12 kW | $3.01 | $25,272 | $53,381 | 8.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.95 | $28,883 | $62,880 | 7.9 years |
| 16 kW | $2.89 | $32,321 | $72,551 | 7.7 years |
| 18 kW | $2.82 | $35,587 | $82,393 | 7.5 years |
| 20 kW | $2.76 | $38,682 | $92,408 | 7.4 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the type of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s efficiency, production, and durability, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Installation Process: Homeowners should make sure they know how exactly the installation process will be carried out, as well as important factors like the project completion timeline.
- Contract: It’s important to read through your solar installer’s contract well to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Warranty: Companies typically offer different kinds of warranties that provide different kinds of coverage. A 25-year, all-inclusive warranty is the gold standard.
- Reputation: The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is a well-established certification organization for clean energy professionals. If your solar panel installer is NABCEP-certified, it most likely has a good reputation and is qualified to do the job well. Another way you can research your installer’s reputation is by reading reviews.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Tucson, AZ Solar Cost FAQs
What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Tucson?
This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on many factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $15,350 for a 5-kW system and $30,700 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. It will be more expensive if you want other solar equipment or higher quality panels, or if you have above-average energy consumption. On the flip side, you can spend less if you choose a smaller solar panel system or cheaper solar panels.
What other factors should I consider apart from cost when buying solar panels?
The initial cost is a crucial factor to consider, but whether it’s the most important for you depends on why you decided to go solar. In areas where rooftop space is limited, efficiency can trump the cost. Other factors that are important to keep in mind are the quality and durability of your solar panels.
Is it worth going solar in Tucson?
Whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on some different factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last in Tucson?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.