How Solar Helps Arizona’s Seasonal and Part-Time Homeowners Save Year-Round

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.

Arizona is a top destination for part-time residents — snowbirds escaping cold winters, retirees who split their time between states, and remote workers enjoying sunshine in the cooler months.

But while seasonal living offers flexibility, it also presents a challenge: utility bills don’t stop when you’re gone.

Even if you're only in Arizona for 4–6 months of the year, your home still uses electricity for:

• Climate control (especially to protect pipes and appliances)

• Pool pumps or filtration systems

• Security cameras and lighting

• Irrigation systems and timers

• Smart home devices and Wi-Fi routers

The solution? Residential solar panels. Solar helps part-time Arizona residents drastically reduce their year-round electricity costs — even when they're away.

1. Why Solar Makes Sense for Seasonal Homeowners

Whether you own a second home in Scottsdale, Sun Lakes, or Fountain Hills, you're likely:

• Paying for basic electrical usage year-round

• Running your HVAC to maintain a safe indoor temperature during the summer

• Paying for APS or SRP service plans that include minimum monthly charges

• Dealing with unpredictable electricity rate increases

Installing solar panels in Phoenix, AZ, or surrounding cities gives you passive savings — your panels work even when you’re not there.

2. Maximize Solar Savings During Summer (Even If You’re Away)

The hottest months — June through September — are also when solar systems in Arizona generate the most electricity.

During these peak sun months, most seasonal homeowners:

• Have left the state

• Keep their thermostats set at higher temps (but still running)

• Use little to no in-home electricity directly

This means your system can often export excess energy back to the grid — earning credits (under Arizona’s net billing policies) that reduce future bills.

At Phoenix Valley Solar, we optimize system size and orientation for maximum summer performance, even for low-occupancy homes.

3. Protect Your Property — and Your Wallet — While You're Gone

Homes left unattended still need active systems to:

• Prevent mold and humidity damage

• Keep pools circulating and chlorinated

• Deter break-ins with smart lighting and surveillance

• Irrigate landscaping to preserve property value

With solar:

• These systems run without high utility bills

• Battery storage can maintain power even during monsoon outages

• You can monitor your system’s production remotely via smartphone

Some homeowners pair their solar system with a Tesla Powerwall to ensure critical systems stay on — even when grid power goes out during monsoon season.

4. Offset Minimum Utility Charges and Service Fees

Even with minimal usage, utilities like APS and SRP charge:

• Monthly service connection fees

• Delivery charges

• Basic energy minimums

A properly sized solar system offsets these charges by reducing total billed kilowatt-hours, helping keep your off-season bills as close to zero as possible.

We help you structure your system to minimize exposure to these hidden costs.

5. Can You Still Claim Solar Incentives as a Part-Time Resident?

Yes — seasonal homeowners are fully eligible for:

• The 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC)

• The $1,000 Arizona Solar Tax Credit

To qualify, you simply need to own the home and have tax liability to offset. The system must be installed on your Arizona property, and it must be used for personal (not rental-only) purposes.

You don’t have to be a full-time Arizona resident to benefit.

6. Solar Adds Resale Value to Second Homes

Thinking long-term? Solar makes your second home more attractive to:

• Other seasonal buyers

• Eco-conscious retirees

• Remote workers relocating to Arizona

• Buyers interested in low-cost vacation properties

Homes with solar often:

• Sell faster

• Command higher prices

• Require less negotiation on long-term utility concerns

At Phoenix Valley Solar, we provide documentation and energy production reports that help real estate agents and sellers showcase solar benefits clearly.

We Specialize in Solar for Seasonal Homeowners

Our team works with part-time residents across:

• Mesa and Queen Creek

• Sun City and Surprise

• Oro Valley and Green Valley

• East Valley retirement communities

• Custom desert homes on large lots

We design low-maintenance systems that keep your property efficient, protected, and ready — even when you're thousands of miles away.

Make Your Second Home Smarter with Solar

Contact Phoenix Valley Solar today for a free consultation. We’ll design a solar system that matches your lifestyle — saving you money while you're here, and while you're not.

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.