Surprise is a rapidly growing West Valley community with over 150,000 residents served by APS. With some of the highest solar irradiance in the country and APS rates that jumped 8.5% recently, Surprise homeowners have a strong financial case for going solar.
Calculate Your Savings300+
Days of sun in Surprise
$1,000
AZ tax credit
10-14 yr
Avg payback period
Surprise is served by APS, with average residential rates of $0.128/kWh. Rates have increased 8.5% recently — solar locks in your energy costs for 25+ years.
APS rates increased 8.5% in 2025 — lock in lower energy costs now
Surprise gets 6.4+ hours of peak sunlight daily, maximizing your solar output
APS net billing credits excess solar production at $0.065/kWh
Lower cost of living in Surprise means solar savings go further
$200
Avg monthly bill
6.4
Peak sun hours/day
10 kW
Typical system size
Surprise residents qualify for state incentives and tax exemptions that reduce the cost of going solar.
The 30% federal Investment Tax Credit for residential solar was eliminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill on Dec 31, 2025. Battery storage systems still qualify for a separate 30% federal credit. Read our full guide.
Arizona offers a 25% state tax credit, capped at $1,000.
Solar panels won't increase your property taxes in Arizona, even though they add $15,000-$20,000 to your home's value. Plus, solar equipment is exempt from Arizona sales tax.
APS credits solar customers at $0.065/kWh for excess energy exported to the grid. While this is less than retail rates, the primary savings come from offsetting your own usage. Most solar systems are sized to match your consumption, minimizing exports.
Surprise homeowners qualify for the Arizona state tax credit of 25% up to $1,000. Arizona also exempts solar equipment from sales tax and your increased home value from property tax. Note: the federal 30% ITC was eliminated in 2025, but battery storage still qualifies for a separate federal credit.
Most residential solar installations in Surprise take 1-3 days for the physical installation. The full process including permitting, inspection, and APS interconnection typically takes 4-8 weeks from contract signing.
If your roof is over 15 years old, it's worth having it inspected first. Solar panels last 25+ years, so you want your roof to be in good condition. Many installers offer roof work as part of the solar installation package.
The average Surprise home with a $200/month APS bill needs about a 10 kW system (25 panels). Larger homes or those with pools typically need 12-15 kW. Your exact size depends on your electricity usage and available roof space.
Use our free calculator to see your personalized solar savings estimate.
Calculate Your Savings