Solartelligence / Homeowner guide
Is your Arizona home a good fit for solar?
Start with the roof. Then check the numbers. This guide explains what a preliminary solar estimate can tell you, what it cannot, and what to verify before choosing an installer.
Reviewed September 23, 2026. Educational guidance, not an installation quote.
Check my roof with the free calculator1. Start with your address and electricity use
Use the calculator on the homepage, select a suggested Arizona address, and enter your average monthly electric bill. If you have a full year of bills, use the average rather than only a high summer month.
Solartelligence uses these inputs to prepare a roof analysis and modeled savings. It is an analysis and report tool, not your installation contractor. There is no homeowner account required to explore the results.
2. Read the roof model as a starting point
The Sunlight view helps you inspect the roof imagery. The 3D Model view shows a preliminary layout and sunlight-quality layer when the necessary data is available. Google's Solar API provides building insights and data layers; coverage and imagery vary. Google Solar API overview.
A satellite model cannot confirm roof condition, structural capacity, every obstruction, or an installation-ready design. Ask an installer to verify the roof on site, along with electrical capacity, setbacks, and final panel placement.
The maximum panel count is a roof-capacity estimate, not automatically the best system for your home. Adjust the selected count and compare it with your energy needs.
3. Separate roof capacity from financial savings
- kW: system size
- The power rating of the selected panels. It is not an annual energy figure.
- kWh: energy
- An amount of electricity used or generated over time. Compare the same time periods.
- Bill savings
- Modeled utility-cost reduction. Check remaining utility charges and any loan payments separately.
- Payback
- A modeled recovery period based on costs and savings assumptions, not a guaranteed return.
Compare the same panel count, equipment, battery choice, and payment method across scenarios. Request an itemized installed quote and verify current incentives and eligibility rather than treating a calculator assumption as a promised discount.
4. How to read this result
Every number in a Solartelligence report is a preliminary model. The source badge beside a readout tells you whether a value came from available roof data, a homeowner adjustment, a published equipment input, or a planning assumption.
Roof and sunlight
Roof planes, available area, and sunlight quality come from the available building data. Coverage and imagery vary, so an installer must verify measurements, condition, obstructions, and setbacks.
Source: Google Solar API
Production
Production is modeled from the roof profile, panel count, panel characteristics, and available sunlight. It is not a production guarantee and degradation is not modeled here.
Source: NREL PVWatts guidance
Electricity rate
The calculator uses an Arizona planning rate to translate modeled energy into a savings estimate. Check your actual utility tariff, fixed charges, demand charges, and export compensation.
Installed cost planning
Cost values are market planning inputs, not panel prices, bids, financing approvals, or an installer quote. Compare itemized proposals with the same equipment and scope.
Source: EnergySage Arizona marketplace
Policy-sensitive numbers need a fresh check.
This guide does not promise a current federal or state incentive. Confirm eligibility, timing, and tax treatment with current government and utility sources before using an incentive in your decision.
5. Check your actual utility plan
Do not choose a utility based only on your city. Check your bill. Solar production, energy used in the home, and exported energy are different inputs to the final bill.
APS customers
APS says grid-connected solar customers continue to receive a monthly bill. Confirm the applicable plan, export credits, and remaining charges using APS rooftop solar guidance.
SRP customers
SRP provides solar-plan information and a calculator through My Account. Review your options in SRP's homeowner solar guide.
For another utility, use its current solar and interconnection guidance. These links take you to the utilities' own resources, not an installation quote from Solartelligence.
6. Turn the estimate into better questions
Explore the report's roof, panel, savings, and financing sections before requesting the emailed report. The report form asks for contact details; uploading a utility bill is optional. Installer follow-up is a separate opt-in, not a condition of receiving the report.
- Does the proposed layout match a current site inspection?
- Which production, utility-rate, and export-credit assumptions were used?
- What is included in the installed price, warranty, and financing cost?
- What remains on the utility bill after solar?
Read the estimate limitations and privacy notice before sharing your information.
Printable worksheet
Questions to take to an installer
Use this after reviewing your preliminary report. It helps you compare a site visit and itemized proposals without putting your address, bill, or report ID into a public link.
Notes for my next conversation
Last reviewed September 23, 2026. Sources: Google Solar API, NREL PVWatts, and your utility's current customer guidance. Planning worksheet only; final design, pricing, incentives, and savings require verification.