Solar Panel Cost Guide in San Tan Valley, AZ (2024 Update)

  • San Tan Valley Solar Installation Cost: $11,072
  • 25-Year Savings: $23,331
  • Payback Period: 8.5 Years

See cost of a solar system near you:

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 2024

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We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Average Cost of Solar Panels in San Tan Valley

We go over average solar pricing in San Tan Valley.

In San Tan Valley, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.To cover the typical energy usage of the average home in San Tan Valley, most homeowners require a 5.2-kilowatt system. Using the figure above, a solar installation costs about $11,072, or $15,833 before the federal solar tax credit of 0 is applied.

Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of San Tan Valley homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may look different depending on factors unique to your situation, like your household energy use and solar contractor.But, after you've paid the upfront cost of installation, the payback for most homeowners is quite rewarding, with a net average savings of about $24,000 over 20 years on energy bills.

Click the button below to get connected to a top solar installer in San Tan Valley for a customized estimate.

Solar savings over time in San Tan Valley

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-9,690
3 years$-6,926
5 years$-4,162
7 years$-1,399
9 years$1,365
11 years$4,129
13 years$6,893
15 years$9,657
17 years$12,421
19 years$15,185
21 years$17,948
23 years$20,712
25 years$23,476

Top Solar Installers in San Tan Valley

When going solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar installer since installing solar panels yourself can be a time-consuming project. Local solar installation companies can also help you optimize your return on investment by walking you through any local incentives you can take advantage of and by offering warranties and repairs.

Working with a licensed solar company can help your solar project go smoothly. Here are our recommendations:

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

See all of the solar companies in San Tan Valley

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in San Tan Valley

There are many factors that can play into your solar panel installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.

Solar Equipment

The cost of solar panel systems varies by thousands of dollars due to a variety of factors. One of the key factors is the system size, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). Solar power systems with better efficiency or power production need better technology and/or more equipment, both of which can increase costs. For each additional kilowatt you need, your cost can go up by about $3,070.There are a lot of different solar panel brands and the one you pick also changes the cost. Generally speaking, the brands that have better efficiency tend to also be more expensive. Plus, the type of equipment you choose can affect your total cost. If you just need panels, your system will be much less expensive than if you also need solar batteries or an electric vehicle charger.

Solar Financing Terms

Many homeowners find the average cost of solar in San Tan Valley to be too steep, even if the investment pays off over time. Fortunately, almost every solar company in the area provides financing options. Solar loans drastically decrease upfront costs in most cases, but they also lead to a higher cost over time due to interest.While solar loans make switching to solar energy more accessible for San Tan Valley homeowners, they can also add to the total you pay for your system, depending on your interest rate and how long you take to pay off the loan. If you put down a larger down payment, though, you can avoid paying as much in interest.

Solar Panel Installation Company

A final factor to consider when trying to figure out the cost of solar for your home or business in San Tan Valley is the company you get to install your PV system. Similar to choosing a company to build a deck or pool, for instance, you’ll have no shortage of solar installers that provide a range of services for different budgets.The company’s size sometimes plays the most considerable role in the cost of installation. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have greater resources and bulk pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they can sometimes have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing down to compete with bigger names.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.19$13,410$24,7228.8 years
8 kW$3.13$17,536$33,3078.6 years
10 kW$3.07$21,490$42,0638.5 years
12 kW$3.01$25,272$50,9928.3 years
14 kW$2.95$28,883$60,0928.1 years
16 kW$2.89$32,321$69,3647.9 years
18 kW$2.82$35,587$78,8097.8 years
20 kW$2.76$38,682$88,4257.6 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

The company that does your solar system installation will affect the warranties and brands you have access to, and it will also have an impact on your total cost. Because picking a company can be a tough decision, we have some tips to help you, such as:

  • Solar Panel Brands: Different companies will carry various brands and kinds of panels. If you know you want a specific brand, make sure the solar company you’re considering has it.
  • Contract: Before signing a contract with a solar company, make sure you look it over carefully so you understand the terms. Also, ask questions if you’re not sure about some of the terms, such as what to do if a component breaks or malfunctions and if there are any guarantees about energy production.
  • Warranty: A quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
  • Installation Process: Homeowners should understand how exactly the installation process will go, as well as important factors like the completion timeline.

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • Price-match guarantee
  • Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Best solar battery on the market
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

EcoWatch's San Tan Valley, AZ Solar Cost FAQs

How much does it cost to install solar panels in San Tan Valley?

The average cost of solar panels in San Tan Valley is about $15,350 for a 5-kW system and $30,700 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the actual cost will depend on stuff like the kind of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.

Are solar panels free in San Tan Valley?

Solar panels aren’t free in San Tan Valley, but there are some options that can make getting them more feasible, such as leasing solar panels or getting a solar loan. There may also be local programs or incentives that can help lower the cost.

Do solar panels increase how much your home is worth?

Solar panels can increase your property’s value considerably as long as you buy or finance your panels and don’t go for a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA). According to research done by Zillow, the average home value increases by about 4.1% with a solar installation."

How long do solar panels last in San Tan Valley?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable at that time. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency.

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.