Solar Panel Cost Guide in Sun City, AZ (2024 Update)

  • Sun City Solar Installation Cost: $10,991
  • 25-Year Savings: $25,574
  • Payback Period: 7.9 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 Sun City

Find out how much it might cost to switch to solar power in Sun City.

In Sun City, solar panels cost about 3 per watt on average.Using this figure, a typical 5.1-kW system would cost about $10,991 before the 0 federal solar tax credit is applied.

These figures are just averages, and the cost of going solar for you may vary based on the amount of energy your home requires and what company you go with.Despite the significant initial cost, the average Sun City homeowner can save around $26,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years, which is one of the benefits of solar.

You can click the button below to get connected with a top solar company in Sun City that can help you get a more accurate cost estimate for your home.

Solar savings over time in Sun City

YearReturn on Investment
1 years$-9,326
3 years$-5,995
5 years$-2,664
7 years$668
9 years$3,999
11 years$7,330
13 years$10,661
15 years$13,992
17 years$17,323
19 years$20,654
21 years$23,985
23 years$27,316
25 years$30,647

Top Solar Installers in Sun City

When going solar, many homeowners choose to use a solar installation company since installing solar panels yourself can be a challenging project. In addition, if you’d like to maximize your investment in solar energy, using a solar installer can help with that as well. Different providers can offer warranties, expertise on installation and sometimes even information on local incentives and net metering programs.

You can work with a local solar installer to get a free quote on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some nearby:

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 Sun City

Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Sun City

Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that determine your overall cost in Sun City: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We’ll discuss each of these briefly below.

Solar Equipment

One of the most important factors to consider when it comes to the cost of installing solar panels is the size of the solar system, which is measured in kilowatts (kW). The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your system will likely need to be. You can expect to pay around $3,070 per kilowatt in Sun City.The solar equipment you choose can bring your price up or down by thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars. If you opt for 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, more efficient panels could save you more in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, add-on products, like solar batteries, can bump up your total well above the Sun City average.

Solar Financing Terms

If paying for solar panels out of pocket is difficult, solar loans are an affordable option because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over a term of, on average, between five and seven years.It’s wise to include the interest you’ll pay in your final cost estimate. If you can afford to pay a larger down payment, you can reduce your total costs and how long it’ll take to pay back the loan.

Solar Panel Installation Company

The remaining significant cost factor you should keep in mind is the installer you choose. Given the massive popularity of clean energy solutions in Sun City, you’ll have lots of options to choose from, but each comes at different price points for labor and equipment.Larger national companies usually have lower costs, but some local companies compete with them by offering sales and discounts. While the smaller companies might not have specific equipment options like Tesla Powerwall batteries or additional services like electric vehicle charger installation, they might be cheaper overall.

Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size

System sizeCost per system wattSolar system cost25-Year savingsPayback period
6 kW$3.19$13,410$27,5538.2 years
8 kW$3.13$17,536$37,0828.0 years
10 kW$3.07$21,490$46,7827.9 years
12 kW$3.01$25,272$56,6547.7 years
14 kW$2.95$28,883$66,6987.6 years
16 kW$2.89$32,321$76,9147.4 years
18 kW$2.82$35,587$87,3027.2 years
20 kW$2.76$38,682$97,8617.1 years

How to Save on Solar Panels

Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose has an impact on your costs and your system’s durability and efficiency, it’s important to select the right ones for you. Here are some things to keep in mind to help with your decision:

  • Contract: It’s important to read 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 project timeline.
  • Reputation: Your solar installer should have a solid reputation as a company and have demonstrated expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has positive reviews from previous customers.
  • Installation Process: Get detailed information from your solar installer about the installation process and what to expect, such as when the site survey will be completed and what the project timeline is.
  • Warranty: An all-inclusive, 25-year warranty can help keep your solar system running for a long time and save you money on repairs and maintenance.

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 Sun City, AZ Solar Cost FAQs

What is the average cost of installing solar panels in Sun City?

This is a tough question to answer precisely, because the cost depends on a few different 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 cost more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have higher-than-average energy usage. On the flip side, you can spend less if you want a smaller solar panel system or less efficient solar panels.

Can you get solar panels for free in Sun City?

You can’t get solar panels for free in Sun City. However, you may still be able to get them on a lower budget. You can lease solar panels for a low upfront cost or, if you’d prefer to own your solar panels, you can finance them with a solar loan.

How will having solar panels impact my property value?

Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Sun City is currently $406,588, which means you can look forward to a value of about $16,670 more than houses without a solar system. The exact figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Sun City is a rewarding investment.

How often do you have to replace solar panels?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but their efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.