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Can Solar Power Detached Structures? A Guide for Arizona Homeowners

  • Writer: zjalomari
    zjalomari
  • Jun 19
  • 4 min read

Are you considering solar energy for your home in Phoenix? Now is the perfect time to harness the power of the sun and take advantage of significant savings through federal and state tax credits. Our team at Phoenix Valley Solar can help you navigate these incentives and maximize your savings. You can also use our Arizona Solar Calculator to get an estimate of your potential benefits.


When most people think of going solar, they picture panels on the main home’s rooftop providing electricity for their household. But in Arizona — where large lots, detached garages, casitas, workshops, and pool houses are common — many homeowners want to know:

Can I use solar to power a detached structure?

The answer is yes. Whether you're looking to offset power use in a guest house or run your air-conditioned garage without spiking your APS or SRP bill, solar for detached buildings is not only possible — it's often a smart investment.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering solar panel installation for a detached structure in Phoenix or anywhere in the Valley.

1. Why Power a Detached Building with Solar?

Detached structures in Arizona often come with energy needs like:

  • Air conditioning and ventilation

  • Lighting and electronics

  • Workshop tools or hobby equipment

  • Pool pumps or spa systems

  • EV chargers in detached garages

  • Appliances in guest houses or ADUs

Running additional wiring from the main house to power these spaces can be expensive, and utility bills can increase quickly.

By using dedicated solar panels for a detached building, you gain:

  • Lower energy costs

  • Increased energy independence

  • The ability to use solar even if your main house roof isn’t viable

  • A clean, self-contained energy system for secondary structures

2. Installation Options for Detached Solar Systems

You have two main options for powering a detached structure:

Option 1: Connect the Detached Structure to the Main Solar System

If your main home already has solar — or you’re installing solar for the first time — your installer may be able to extend the system to power a nearby structure by:

  • Running underground conduit between the buildings

  • Expanding inverter capacity to accommodate the added load

  • Using microinverters or string inverters with branch circuits

This approach keeps everything under one billing account and maximizes system performance.

Option 2: Install a Standalone Solar System

If trenching isn't feasible or the structure is farther away, you can install an entirely independent solar system on:

  • The roof of the detached building

  • A nearby ground mount

  • A shade structure or solar carport

This system can be:

  • Grid-tied (connected to your utility meter)

  • Off-grid (with battery backup only)

  • Hybrid (able to run independently and draw from the grid as needed)

At Phoenix Valley Solar, we help homeowners assess which setup is most cost-effective for their layout and goals.

3. Can You Add Battery Backup to a Detached Structure?

Yes. Solar battery storage — such as a Tesla Powerwall — can be installed with or without a connection to your main home. This is especially helpful for:

  • Remote casitas or guest houses

  • Backyard offices that need consistent power

  • Detached garages with EV charging equipment

Adding a battery gives you:

  • Power security in case of grid outages

  • The ability to run equipment at night

  • Better control over peak-time utility rates (especially under APS and SRP time-of-use plans)

4. Do You Still Qualify for Incentives?

Yes. As long as the system is installed on your property and tied to your utility account:

  • You’re eligible for the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit

  • You can still claim the $1,000 Arizona Solar Tax Credit

  • You may receive net billing credits for excess energy sent to the grid

These incentives apply whether the system is on your main home or a detached outbuilding.

5. Design Considerations for Detached Solar Installations

Key things we assess before installation:

  • Distance between the main meter and the detached structure

  • Roof pitch and orientation (especially for garages and flat-roof casitas)

  • Electrical demand of the detached space

  • Whether a ground mount or solar carport makes more sense

  • The feasibility of trenching versus standalone battery-powered systems

We create custom solutions for properties across Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, and Paradise Valley — including homes with large lots or non-traditional layouts.

6. Common Use Cases We’ve Installed

  • Detached garage with solar plus EV charger

  • Backyard guest house with its own AC and solar-battery combo

  • Workshop powered entirely off-grid

  • Standalone pool house with solar for heating, lighting, and sound systems

  • Remote home office with solar + battery + Wi-Fi extender

These systems improve flexibility and reduce dependence on the main utility meter, especially as utility rates in Arizona continue to rise.

Work with Phoenix Valley Solar for Custom Detached Solar Design

At Phoenix Valley Solar, we specialize in:

  • Site evaluations for multi-structure properties

  • Grid-tied and off-grid solar system design

  • Custom solar battery and inverter setups

  • Clean, code-compliant trenching and interconnection work

We’re proud to be the best solar company in Phoenix for homeowners with complex property layouts or multi-building energy needs.

Ready to Power Your Garage, Guest House, or Workshop with Solar?

Contact Phoenix Valley Solar today to schedule a free evaluation. We’ll design a solar system specifically for your detached structure — with or without battery backup — and help you qualify for all available incentives.


Are you considering solar energy for your home in Phoenix? Now is the perfect time to harness the power of the sun and take advantage of significant savings through federal and state tax credits. Our team at Phoenix Valley Solar can help you navigate these incentives and maximize your savings. You can also use our Arizona Solar Calculator to get an estimate of your potential benefits.





 
 
 

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