Net Zero Solar is a Full-Service Solar Installation Company
520.207.4053

Category: Rates

Solar Power Myths: Part Two, Sizing Your Solar Electric System

Last week, we started this series by exploding solar myths around savings, estimates, incentives, and taxes. As we continue, we want to dig into the myths around deciding what size solar electric system you need.

With changes in how home and business solar customers are compensated for energy they send to the grid, we’ve seen a lot of disinformation out there. Not so surprisingly, this incorrect information seems to benefit solar installers without many ethical scruples, not consumers. 

We love installing solar, but we know that choosing a solar company is like entering a long-term relationship. Honesty, understanding, and clarity are really critical! So before you decide to tie your home to a solar company for many years to come, learn about some more solar myths.

A solar electric system in northeast Tucson.

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Solar Power Myths: Savings, Estimates, Incentives, and Taxes

With so many Arizona homeowners choosing to install solar electric systems, we’ve also seen the rise of many misconceptions about how solar electric systems will work for consumers. In this first installment of a multi-part series, we’re sharing some of the mistaken ideas we’ve heard, focusing on the quotation process and financial aspects of solar installation.

A residential solar electric system in Tucson.

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Is Your Arizona Solar Installer Telling You the Whole Story?

It’s a great year to go solar! Prices for installation have never been lower. We have high-quality equipment that is designed to last for more than a quarter century, with 25-year warranties for solar modules, energy conversion equipment, and racking products.

Solar electric systems installed before the end of 2019 are eligible for a full 30% federal tax credit, as well as a $1,000 Arizona tax credit.

But before you sign a contract with a solar installer, make sure that they thoroughly understand how solar can save you money, and that your installer has done their homework before giving you a quote. Read on to learn how solar has changed in Arizona, how you can put it to work for you, and how to avoid being taken for a ride by a shady solar contractor!

A solar electric system installed on the west side of Tucson.

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Proposition 127, the Clean Energy for a Healthy Arizona Initiative

We’ve shared a lot of info on Prop 127 on our social media and in a August blog post, but we wanted to directly address some of the recent questions we’ve heard.

We have quite an opportunity on November 6th to transform our energy use here in Arizona! Proposition 127 would require 50% of energy sold by most electric utilities in Arizona to be renewable by 2030!

We strongly support Proposition 127. Ideally, it would not be necessary to put such a measure in the AZ Constitution, but due to the influence of lots of utility money at the Arizona Corporation Commission, it’s our best path to a clean and cost-effective energy future. A 50% renewables will be a good step for a state like Arizona that has a lot of great renewable resources, and the timeframe is reasonable for implementation. It would also create about 16,000 new jobs!

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New TEP Bills Provide Inaccurate Suggestions for Solar Customers

Friends with solar electric systems on Tucson Electric Power’s grid, you might have heard about TEP’s new bill design.

Unfortunately, these bills provide inaccurate information for solar customers on net metering. Under their “2 Ways to Save” section, TEP suggests switching to time-of-use and/or demand rates. You can see what it looks like on the left side of the image below.

A recent TEP bill for a solar customer with net metering.

Very few (if any) solar customers will save money by switching to these rates, and it’s a bad idea to switch without doing a detailed analysis of the impact on your bills. We strongly recommend you remain on your standard residential net metering rate to preserve your solar savings.

For more information on TOU rates and residential demand charges, see our infographic,  What’s a Residential Demand Charge.

Questions? Ask them in the comments below.

945 W Silverlake Road
Tucson, AZ 85713
520-207-4053

ROC# 248710, 259521, 259756