Going Solar with APS in 2026
A complete guide for Arizona Public Service customers — how APS net billing works, which rate plan to choose, what the interconnection process looks like, and what to look for in an APS-experienced installer.
Last updated: June 2026
What changed for APS customers in 2026
The federal 30% solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025 — any installer still leading with it is out of date. APS itself moved to net billing in 2023, so exported solar earns $0.0617/kWh (not the retail rate). The good news: that export rate is locked for 10 years once your system connects. Going solar in 2026 means locking in today's rate before APS resets it.
Export Rate
$0.0617/kWh
Locked 10 years from interconnection
Peak Hours
3pm – 8pm
Weekdays, summer (Jun–Sep)
Interconnection
4–8 weeks
Typical timeline post-installation
APS Service Area in Arizona
Arizona Public Service is the largest electric utility in the state, serving the majority of the Phoenix metro and northern Arizona. If your electricity bill says APS, this guide applies to you.
Not sure if you're an APS or SRP customer? Check the top of your monthly electricity bill — the utility name appears in the header. SRP customers, see the SRP guide.
How APS Net Billing Works
Under APS net billing, your solar panels first power your home. Any surplus electricity — what you generate but don't immediately use — flows back to the grid. APS credits that surplus at the Resource Comparison Proxy (RCP) rate.
| Rate Type | Rate (2026) | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| APS retail rate | ~$0.13–0.15/kWh | What you pay when drawing from the grid |
| APS export credit (RCP) | $0.0617/kWh | What APS pays you for surplus solar (locked 10 yrs) |
Every kWh your panels produce and you use directly is worth the full retail rate (~$0.14/kWh). Every kWh you export earns only $0.0617. This means self-consumption is more valuable than export — the system design your installer proposes should reflect that.
APS Rate Plans for Solar Customers
APS offers three rate plans compatible with solar. The right choice depends on your schedule and whether you can shift consumption away from the 3pm–8pm summer peak window.
Saver Choice
Best for: most homeownersThe simplest option. A flat rate structure with a modest on-peak/off-peak difference. If you can't reliably shift laundry, dishwasher, or EV charging out of the peak window, this plan eliminates the risk of bill spikes.
Saver Choice Max
Best for: EV owners / flexible schedulesA steeper TOU structure — off-peak rates are significantly lower, but on-peak rates are higher. Rewards homeowners who can run appliances and charge EVs overnight or in the morning. Paired with a well-designed solar system, this plan can yield the lowest annual bills.
Saver Choice Plus
Best for: moderate flexibilityAn intermediate plan between Saver Choice and Saver Choice Max. Smaller TOU spread than Max, but more reward for off-peak shifting than the base plan.
Before you sign: Ask your installer to model your bill under all three plans using your last 12 months of APS usage data. The best installers do this as part of the proposal — if they don't offer it, ask.
Battery Storage for APS Customers
Battery storage is a genuine option for APS customers — less urgent than for SRP customers, but still valuable in two scenarios:
Peak-hour offset
APS's 3pm–8pm summer peak window is exactly when solar production is tapering off. A battery charged during peak solar hours (10am–2pm) and discharged during the peak window can eliminate the grid draw when rates are highest — especially on Saver Choice Max.
Backup power
APS service territory covers areas with monsoon season outages. A battery provides home backup during grid interruptions, independent of solar savings math.
APS Battery Pilot program
APS has offered incentive programs for customers who add battery storage and allow APS to dispatch the battery during demand events. Ask your installer about current APS battery programs — availability changes annually.
What to Look for in an APS Solar Installer
Not every Arizona solar company has deep APS experience. Here's what separates the right choice from a generic pick.
APS pre-approval
Ask for the name of their APS interconnection contact. Pre-approved companies have an established relationship with APS — meaning faster approvals and fewer surprises.
Rate plan modeling
The right installer will show you a side-by-side comparison of Saver Choice, Saver Choice Max, and Saver Choice Plus using your actual usage data — not a generic estimate.
Battery storage experience
If you're interested in battery storage for peak-hour offset or backup, confirm the installer has designed and installed APS-compatible battery systems before.
NABCEP + ROC license
Non-negotiable in Arizona. Verify the installer's ROC license at roc.az.gov and look for NABCEP certification on their profiles or proposals.
Arizona Solar List shows APS approval status on every profile
Every installer on our directory displays their NABCEP certification, Arizona ROC license number, and APS pre-approval badge — so you can filter by APS-experienced companies without manual research.
Browse APS-approved installersarrow_forwardFrequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find APS-Approved Solar Installers Near You
Browse the Arizona Solar List directory — filter by APS pre-approval, NABCEP certification, and service area to find vetted installers in your city.
Find Solar Installers Near You