News > Harnessing the Sun: How Phoebe Went Solar in Tucson

Harnessing the Sun: How Phoebe Went Solar in Tucson

• Stories

April 25, 2025

• Krupa Bharodiya

Phoebe and her partner, Ben, were both born in Tucson. Although they spent some years traveling and exploring other parts of the country, they eventually found themselves drawn back to their desert home. With its unique blend of small-town warmth and big-city resources, Tucson has always been a source of innovation and support for the couple.

Solar energy stood out as an obvious choice for Phoebe and Ben when they bought their home. “Financially, it seemed silly to keep buying electricity when there was another alternative to generate our own power,” Phoebe explained. She first heard about Solar United Neighbors (SUN) through the City of Tucson newsletter, which shared details about a Tucson solar co-op accepting new members. The mention of financial support caught her attention.

Phoebe and Ben were eager to switch to solar, and they were relieved to learn they would qualify for financial support to make the transition easier. Through SUN’s Tucson Solar Income-Qualified Grant Program, they received a $7,000 grant, and additional savings came through Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) payments, which were applied to their installation. 

In addition to the grant and SREC payments, federal solar tax credits were a crucial part of making Ben and Phoebe’s system affordable. “The solar tax credit put solar financially in reach,” Phoebe explained. The couple’s savings from these federal incentives help them cover everyday expenses. As national conversations continue around the future of solar energy incentives, stories like Phoebe’s show just how important these tax credits are in helping everyday Americans access solar power. Congress may reduce these investments, which would prevent families and small businesses from making the switch to solar. Tell Congress to protect the solar tax credits today.

For Phoebe, ensuring the solar installer was reputable and deciphering the fine print of contracts were her biggest concerns.“Having people on the other end of the phone line or email was really essential,” she said. The support she got through SUN’s solar co-op provided the reassurance she needed. The co-op model utilizes a structured group bidding process and an installer selection committee made up of co-op  members.

One of the most exciting parts of going solar for Phoebe was tracking the energy production through her Enphase app. “I looked at it every day for the first month! It was so cool to see in real-time how much energy we were generating,” she recalled. The app even provides fun metrics, like how many trees their system has effectively “planted.”

Since going solar, Phoebe and Ben have seen a dramatic drop in their electricity bills. In just one summer month with solar, their bill dropped from $145 to $80. The winter months brought even greater savings, between October and February, their monthly bill averaged just $11, down from $47 the previous year. “This is obviously amazing, as we’re paying only between 15-55% of what we were paying before, every single month,” Phoebe said. “On average, we’re paying about 32% of what we used to pay each month.” 

The impact of SUN’s solar co-ops extend far beyond Phoebe’s home; SUN has helped 583 households in Arizona, like Phoebe’s, make the switch to solar. Since establishing SUN Arizona, SUN has successfully completed 18 solar co-ops, making solar energy more accessible and affordable statewide.

Now with solar panels powering their home, Phoebe and Ben are not just saving money but also taking control of their energy independence. “The whole process went really well,” Phoebe reflects. Their journey highlights the importance of community-driven initiatives and transparency in the solar process. Watch for upcoming opportunities in 2025, including our Northern Arizona co-op serving Flagstaff, Sedona, and Coconino County opening in July 2025, and another Tucson co-op launching later in the fall.