Tucson Family Harnesses Sunshine: New Parents Embrace Solar Energy
- Stories
Timothy and Jess had always been interested in switching to solar, but they weren’t sure how to make it work financially. When they moved into their Tucson home in 2023, they were hit with high summer electricity bills. That’s when they knew they had to find a better solution.
“I didn’t want an electric bill,” Timothy said simply. “I just felt, there’s got to be a better way to do this. So I went online, wondering if there was a cooperative solar model.” After exploring various options and fielding some aggressive solar salespeople who showed up at their door, the couple eventually discovered SUN’s solar co-op model and registered. Once they joined, Timothy and Jess were paired with an installer selected by a committee of co-op members and SUN experts. The process moved quickly, and they were impressed by the speed and professionalism of the installation. “It was so easy,” Timothy recalled.
Timothy and Jess’s journey to solar energy was made possible through key financial incentives that helped them overcome the initial investment barrier. Timothy and Jess were eligible for SUN’s Tucson Solar Income-Qualified Grant Program, which provided them with a $7,000 grant to offset installation expenses. They also benefited from Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) payments, further reducing the cost of their solar setup. With the help of SUN, Timothy and Jess found the process straightforward and rewarding.
Finances were a major factor in their decision. The co-op pricing made solar more affordable, but the real game-changer was the grant support they received from SUN. “We were still doing the math, and I was like, ‘I just don’t know if we can do this.’ The co-op pricing was the best rate we got, but it still seemed a little out of reach. The grant was super helpful.”
In addition to the co-op pricing and grant support, federal solar tax credits were crucial in making the installation financially viable. “Going solar in 2024 was one of the best financial decisions that we ever made for our family, and the federal solar tax credits made the project possible for us,” Tim said. “We are saving hundreds of dollars on our monthly bill, which we use to buy groceries and other critical household goods. Without these incentives, we honestly wouldn’t have been able to make the switch…they need to be protected so more families can benefit the way ours has.” For families like Timothy and Jess, these tax credits are what make solar energy accessible. As efforts to scale back these incentives emerge, it’s important to protect them so that more households can experience the same financial relief and energy independence.
Now that their system is up and running, Timothy and Jess are thrilled with the results. Their electricity bill has been significantly reduced. While they expect some costs in the summer months, they’re confident their system will make a major difference.
Beyond financial savings, the couple has become enthusiastic advocates for solar energy. “We’ve told everyone about the co-op,” Timothy said, adding that their friends are now looking into SUN’s model after seeing the benefits firsthand. Their experience not only exemplifies how SUN’s programs are providing direct relief by lowering electricity bills and increasing energy resilience but also serves as a model for the upcoming statewide Solar For All initiative. Since 2019, SUN has helped 583 families in Arizona make the switch to solar through 18 solar co-ops, making solar energy more accessible and affordable for Arizona residents. This number will continue to increase with the efforts of SUN and solar energy advocates like Timothy and Jess.
SUN Arizona will be launching new co-ops statewide throughout 2025, including a co-op serving Flagstaff, Sedona, and Coconino County, welcoming new members in July. Keep an eye out for a Tucson co-op launch in early fall-winter.
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