Why Solar Makes Sense for Arkansas Homeowners
Arkansas receives an average of 5.0 peak sun hours per day and ranks 26th nationally in solar energy potential, making it one of the most promising states in the Southeast for residential solar adoption. Despite this abundance of sunshine, fewer than 2% of Arkansas homes have solar panels installed, which means the vast majority of homeowners are still paying full retail rates for grid electricity that averages $0.11 per kilowatt-hour and has increased by over 15% in the past decade.
A properly designed solar panel system can eliminate 60% to 100% of your monthly electric bill depending on your roof characteristics, energy consumption patterns, and system size. Combined with the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit, which directly reduces your federal tax liability dollar-for-dollar, and Arkansas's favorable net metering policy, most homeowners see a complete return on their investment within 8 to 12 years while enjoying 25 or more years of clean, reliable electricity.
At Energy Future Arkansas, we have installed over 1,200 residential solar systems since our founding in 2017. Every installation is led by our NABCEP-certified team and overseen by David Chen, PE, our Lead Solar Engineer with 12 years of experience in photovoltaic system design. We use only tier-one equipment from manufacturers with proven track records and back every installation with comprehensive warranties that protect your investment for decades.
The Solar Installation Process
Our installation process has been refined over hundreds of projects to ensure a smooth, transparent experience from your first phone call to the day your system starts producing clean electricity.
Step 1: Site Assessment and Energy Analysis. We visit your property to evaluate your roof's condition, angle, orientation, and shading profile using satellite imagery, drone photography, and on-site measurements. We also review 12 months of utility bills to understand your energy consumption patterns and identify the optimal system size. This consultation is completely free and carries no obligation.
Step 2: Custom System Design. Our engineering team uses industry-leading design software to create a system layout that maximizes energy production for your specific roof geometry. We model production across all 12 months, accounting for Arkansas seasonal variations, local weather data, and panel-level shading analysis. You receive a detailed proposal including system specifications, projected monthly and annual production, estimated savings, available incentives, and a complete cost breakdown.
Step 3: Permitting and Approvals. Once you approve the design, we handle all paperwork. This includes building permits with your local jurisdiction, electrical permits, HOA applications if applicable, and your utility interconnection agreement. Permitting timelines vary across Arkansas, typically taking two to four weeks depending on your municipality.
Step 4: Professional Installation. Our in-house installation crew arrives on the scheduled date with all equipment pre-staged. Most residential systems are installed in one to three days depending on system size and roof complexity. We install racking, panels, inverters, electrical connections, and monitoring hardware. Every installation meets or exceeds NEC 2020 code requirements and manufacturer specifications.
Step 5: Inspection and Interconnection. After installation, we schedule inspections with your local building department and your utility company. Once approved, your utility installs a bidirectional meter and grants permission to operate. We activate your monitoring system and walk you through the app so you can track your solar production in real time.
Step 6: Ongoing Monitoring and Support. Your system is connected to our monitoring platform, which alerts our team to any performance anomalies. We provide annual maintenance checks and are available by phone at (501) 414-9378 any time you have questions or concerns about your system.