A.R.S. 32-1170.01: Who Can Install Solar in Arizona

In Arizona, installing solar takes more than a general contractor's license. A.R.S. 32-1170.01 makes it unlawful to install, alter, or repair a solar device unless the contractor has qualified specifically as a solar contractor. This page explains the rule and why it matters for a state where rooftop solar is everywhere.

What this statute says

A "solar device" means equipment that collects and uses sunlight for energy, such as a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) array or a solar water heater. A.R.S. 32-1170.01 says a contractor cannot install, alter, or repair one of these systems without first qualifying as a solar contractor under the Registrar of Contractors' rules. The qualification is a specific credential, not something a generic license carries by default. Here is the full rule:

After June 30, 1980, it is unlawful for a contractor to install, alter or repair a solar device without qualifying as a solar contractor pursuant to this article.

In plain terms, holding any contractor's license is not enough. To touch solar, the contractor must have passed the solar qualification and carry the right license scope for it. This sits on top of the basic licensing requirement, so the contractor needs both a license in good standing and the solar qualification.

What it means for your home build

Arizona leads the country in rooftop solar, so this rule comes up on a lot of custom homes and retrofits. For example, if you add a 9 kW PV system to a new build in Scottsdale, the company that mounts the panels and wires the array must hold the proper solar qualification, not just a general residential license. Hiring a crew that lacks it means the work is being done unlawfully, and you lose the protections that come with a properly licensed installer.

Before you sign a solar contract, verify the license and its scope free at the ROC site. Confirm the qualification covers PV or solar thermal, whichever you are installing. Then make sure the agreement spells out the system size, equipment brands, and price, and that any change comes as a written change order . A solar installer who cannot show the right qualification is a clear reason to walk away.

How this connects to other rules

This section is the solar-specific version of the general ban in A.R.S. 32-1151, which makes contracting without a license illegal. Where 32-1151 sets the baseline, 32-1170.01 adds a second gate for solar work. The same enforcement applies: under A.R.S. 32-1153, a contractor who lacked the proper contractor's license or qualification cannot sue you to collect. And your solar agreement still must meet the contract rules in A.R.S. 32-1158. For building a strong contract, see what to include in a custom home contract and cost-plus vs fixed-price home contracts .

Full text and source

Read the current section, along with the related solar definitions and exam rules, on the legislature's site: View A.R.S. 32-1170.01 on azleg.gov .

How the rule applies to a specific job depends on the facts, so verify any license at roc.az.gov and confirm details with a qualified professional before relying on it.