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Powering Outdoor Kitchens and Backyard Living Spaces with Solar in Arizona

  • Writer: zjalomari
    zjalomari
  • Jun 25
  • 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.


Arizona homeowners are transforming their backyards into full-service living areas — complete with kitchens, lighting, entertainment systems, pools, and climate control features. But with more outdoor amenities comes one major challenge: energy use.

If you’re investing in a high-end outdoor space, solar power can help you run it efficiently, sustainably, and without a spike in your utility bills.

Here’s how homeowners across Phoenix and surrounding cities are using solar for outdoor kitchens and backyard patios, and why it makes sense in Arizona’s climate.

1. The Energy Demands of Modern Outdoor Living

Today’s backyards often include features that require dedicated electrical circuits:

  • Outdoor refrigerators and ice makers

  • Built-in gas grills with electric igniters

  • Ceiling fans and misters

  • Televisions and surround sound systems

  • Landscape and accent lighting

  • Patio heaters

  • Pool pumps and water features

  • Wi-Fi extenders and smart controls

All of these can put a noticeable strain on your monthly energy usage — especially in summer, when outdoor areas are in peak use and APS and SRP time-of-use rates are at their highest.

Solar offsets this usage by delivering clean, low-cost energy right where you need it.

2. How Solar Can Power Backyard Features

You don’t need to mount panels on your outdoor kitchen or pergola roof (although that’s an option). Most systems are installed as either:

  • Ground-mounted arrays near the patio area

  • Solar shade structures or pergolas that double as panel mounts

  • Roof-mounted systems on nearby sheds, casitas, or garages

  • Extensions of your home’s existing solar system with added inverter capacity

Each design is customized based on the layout of your backyard and your power needs.

At Phoenix Valley Solar, we specialize in hybrid installations that blend energy functionality with design aesthetics.

3. Powering Outdoor Kitchens Off-Grid

For remote or detached outdoor kitchens — especially those at second homes or on larger rural properties — solar allows you to operate:

  • Refrigeration

  • Lighting

  • Sinks with electric pumps

  • Pellet grills or smokers

  • Charging stations for phones and tablets

Pairing your panels with solar battery backup ensures your appliances keep running long after the sun goes down, or in the event of a grid outage.

This is particularly valuable in outdoor venues that are far from the home’s main electrical panel.

4. Solar Shade Structures: Function Meets Efficiency

One of the fastest-growing solar trends in Arizona is the solar pergola — a shade structure topped with solar panels that powers your backyard systems.

Benefits include:

  • Dual function as shelter and power source

  • Strong sun protection during hot months

  • Modern aesthetic that blends with upscale patio design

  • Long-term savings on energy costs

These structures can power a nearby pool pump, outdoor bar, grill station, or lighting — making your backyard truly self-sufficient.

5. Solar Incentives Apply to Backyard Power Too

As long as your solar system is connected to your home’s utility meter or offsets household usage, you’re eligible for:

  • The 30% Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)

  • The $1,000 Arizona Solar Tax Credit

  • Utility net billing credits (based on provider policies)

We help you structure your installation so it meets the requirements for full tax credit eligibility — even if it’s located in your backyard or integrated into landscaping.

6. Future-Proof Your Outdoor Living Investment

Solar ensures your outdoor upgrades don’t come with a long-term utility penalty. It also:

  • Increases your home’s value

  • Adds energy independence and reliability

  • Supports sustainability and low-impact landscaping

  • Can be bundled with solar battery storage for backup during monsoon-season outages

Arizona homeowners are spending more time outdoors — and solar makes that time smarter, cleaner, and more cost-effective.

Work with Phoenix Valley Solar for Outdoor Energy Solutions

We specialize in custom solar designs that go beyond rooftops. From solar-powered outdoor kitchens to off-grid backyard studios, we offer:

  • Solar panel installation for patios and pools

  • Ground-mount systems for flexible backyard layouts

  • Pergola and solar canopy structures

  • System design optimized for outdoor appliance loads

We’re proud to be the top choice for solar patio power solutions in Phoenix, with hundreds of custom installations across the Valley.

Ready to Power Your Backyard the Smart Way?

Contact Phoenix Valley Solar today for a custom site evaluation and proposal. We’ll design a solar system that makes your outdoor living space as efficient and enjoyable as the rest of your home.


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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