With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in Tucson, AZ, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Tucson residents who’ve already gone solar.
We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in Tucson:
Company Description
Your Southern Arizona Residential and Commercial Solar ExpertsSunblaze Energy is an Arizona Registrar of Contractors-certified, licensed, and insured full-service residential and commercial solar energy installer in Tucson, Arizona. We install and service grid...
Learn moreSolarReviews Expert Rating Score:
Unrated
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
BradS | Tucson, AZ | 09-12-2022
Mostly Good
Professional and excellent technical sales encounter. Very good installation staff which overcame some technical issues reasonably quickly. A failed (at installation) microinverter (1 of 20) took more than a month to get replaced even though they were in-stock. A promised $500 referral fee to the person that referred Sunblaze to me still hasn’t materialized more than 4 months later.
See full reviewCompany Description
We at Sunlogix energy are a business driven by our customers' success. Customer service is not a department; it's an attitude. You will see this from every employee in the company, from the energy consultant to the solar installer on your roof. We are here to ...
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Unrated
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
H. Silverman | Palm Desert, CA | 07-15-2023
Sunlogix is the BEST
I have owned and operated very successful businesses for the last 50 years. The secret to my success has always been dedicated customer service. Giving the client not just what they want, but exceeding their expectations. It’s always a winning formula. Sunlogix and all of their team members know that lesson well. They show their care for their clients with fair pricing, excellent equipment, exemplary installation and constant follow up to be sure the client is not just satisfied, but truly happy. From the moment we met one of the owners, Sandra Lamont, the path to completion was paved with true care, understanding, and a willingness to go beyond the norm to make sure their client was happy. I’ve always answered my client emailed questions after hours and on weekends, but Sunlogix did me one better with not only that, but usually an answer within minutes, regardless of day or time. AMAZING! I can’t say enough about the installation crew either. Talk about polite, efficient and thorough! These guys are welcome back at my home anytime! Customer service has been exemplary too. Sandra, Christian, Kai and others have been there to answer question and make adjustments to my system based on MY needs. And always with a smile as they assisted. After doing an incredible job of installing over 40 solar panels on my Clay Tile Roof, as well as backup batteries, my system has finally freed me from the tyranny of Southern California Edison. No more multi-hour outages for “repairs” in the middle of summer when it’s 115 degrees. No more 20% annual increases that never stop coming. No more power fluctuations that burn out electronics with my newly installed battery backup system. No more wondering if my life will be interrupted by the notorious unreliability of Edison. It’s a new found freedom that quickly takes away the pain of the cost of the system as you begin to see the savings and realize how much you really are going to be ahead with a system designed to meet my needs for the next 25 years and GUARANTEED to do so with the production guarantee offered by Sunlogix (something no other solar company offered me in their higher priced quotes). AMAZING! So, if you’re considering solar, by all means get 3 different companies to quote you a system, as I did. You’ll find Sunlogix to be not just the best quote, but if you compare the suggested installation placement, you’ll find like I did that Sunlogix is the best there is for the home. Not the easiest way to install, but the best way to achieve the clients’ goals of efficiency, and appearance. There is no better company to buy/install solar from. Howard Silverman Palm Springs
See full reviewCompany Description
Our Services Solar Gain Inc. has the expertise, experience and holistic knowledge of the solar industry needed to provide our customers with everything they need to integrate solar in their home or business. Our goal is not only to design and install quality s...
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Unrated
Rating breakdown
Positives:
Negatives:
0 / 10
Time in business
0 / 10
Litigation and background
0 / 10
Verification of licenses and insurance
0 / 5
Consumer reviews performance
0 / 5
Transparency of pricing and sales process
0 / 5
Company size and location
0 / 5
Vertical integration
0 / 10
Competitiveness of loan options
0 / 5
Sustainable pricing of systems
0 / 10
Profitability of installer
0 / 10
Quality of brands sold
0 / 5
Employee satisfaction and safety record
Services offered
- Solar - Installation
Latest Good Review
Frank S. | Tucson, AZ | 11-19-2024
Exceptional service, advice and assistance!
I dealt primarily with Karl. His help was the best anyone could ever ask for. So unbelievablely helpful, I could not have asked for more. If ya'll need solar assistance, help or just need to chat to work thru a problem, here's the place to go and Karl's your guy!
See full reviewLatest Bad Review
Vincent | Tucson, AZ | 04-23-2024
Be very careful
I had Solar Gain come in to install an additional battery on my system. When they turned on the power, they blew two adapters. One for a remote control on a ceiling fan and they blew out my doorbell circuit. They fixed the fan but the fact that I had a Ring doorbell, the problem wasn't apparent for a while. Solar Gain, Inc. basically told me to pound sand. I even offered to pay them. NOPE! I do not recommend them. They create problems and won't work with you to fix them on any level. Go elsewhere and be careful.
See full reviewBest solar installers in Tucson, AZ
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunblaze Energy | Unrated | Tucson | Get Quote | |
| SunLogix Energy | Unrated | - | Get Quote | |
| Renova Energy | Elite | - | Get Quote | |
| Technicians for Sustainability | Unrated | Tucson | Get Quote | |
| Net Zero Solar | Unrated | Tucson | Get Quote | |
| Energy Solution Providers, LLC | Unrated | Florence | Get Quote | |
| Clayco Electric | Unrated | Tucson | Get Quote |
Best solar companies for home battery installations in Tucson
Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.
Here are some Tucson companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:
| Company | SolarReviews expert rating | Consumer rating | City | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pima Solar | Unrated | Tucson | Get Quote | |
| Pacific West Solar | Unrated | Phoenix | Get Quote | |
| Sunbright Solar | Very Good | Tucson | Get Quote | |
| Saguaro Solar | Very Good | Tucson | Get Quote | |
| Baker Electric Home Energy | Unrated | - | Get Quote |
How to find the best solar panel company near you
Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.
Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.
Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in Tucson:
Years in business
One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.
Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.
Licenses, insurance, and certifications
Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.
Financing options
Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.
Services and products offered
Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.
Customer review scores
Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.
Warranty
Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.
Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.
Tucson incentives and rebates
Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Tucson by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.
Some cities, counties, states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Tucson:
| Incentive | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Net BIlling | State | Net Metering |
| Solar and Wind Equipment Sales Tax Exemption | State | Sales Tax Incentive |
| Energy Equipment Property Tax Exemption | State | Property Tax Incentive |
| Residential Solar and Wind Energy Systems State Tax Credit | State | Personal Tax Credit |
How much can you save with solar incentives?
What to look for in solar quotes in Tucson
Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.
System size and energy production
All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.
If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.
Pricing
You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $2.11 to $3.17 per watt in Tucson, so anything in that range is a fair price.
Financing
Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.
If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.
If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!
Payback period
Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them.
If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.
Equipment
Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.
Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.
Frequently asked questions about solar in Tucson
How much do solar panels cost in Tucson?
How much can solar panels save in Tucson?
Do I need a solar battery in Tucson?
How can you pay for solar panels in Tucson?
What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Tucson?
What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Tucson?
How SolarReviews rates installers
SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell - it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers, and if they run an honest business.
We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:
- Background checks
- Brand quality
- License and insurance
- Vertical integration
- Profitability
- Transparency
- Consumer reviews
- Loan options
- Local service
- Responsible pricing
Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating system.
Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.