Utah residents pay some of the lowest rates in the country for electricity, at less than 12 cents per kilowatt-hour in August 2023. But the state also gets a lot of sunlight compared to other states.
These two factors weigh heavily on the question of whether solar panels make sense in Utah. The answer depends on the math for your specific home and your specific energy needs.
There are some incentives that can help you cover the cost of solar panels. The federal residential clean energy credit will reimburse you for up to 30% of the cost of installing a solar system. A Utah solar tax incentive offers a little bit of help, but it expires at the end of 2023.
Here’s what you need to know before going solar in the Beehive State.
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The best national solar panel installation companies in Utah
SunPower has been in business since 1985 and is one of our picks for the best solar companies. While it’s known for manufacturing top-notch solar panels, it also provides residential solar system installation services via a vast network of certified installers. With SunPower, solar owners get a 10-year battery warranty and a 25-year guarantee for product, performance and quality of work. The company can help you finance your solar system or gives you the option to enter a solar leasing contract or power purchase agreement. Its financing arm, called SunPower Financial, extends solar loans to underserved communities.
Tesla Solar
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Tesla sells some of the most affordable solar panels out there. The company has strong warranties and a popular home battery, the Tesla Powerwall. A big potential concern is customer service. Social media reports of negative experiences aren’t hard to find. This is true of all solar installers, but the number of reports about Tesla is troubling.
Local solar panel installation companies in Utah
Blue Raven
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Founded in 2014, Blue Raven Solar installs residential solar panels in 17 states, including Utah. Blue Raven Solar is a full-service solar company that guides customers from point of sale to installation. The company provides a financing option called BluePower Plus+. With Blue Raven Solar, you get a 10-year quality of work warranty and a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. The company doesn’t currently provide solar leasing or power purchase agreements options.
Ion Solar
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Founded in 2013, Ion Solar serves eight states, including Utah. The company manages an entire solar project from beginning to end and provides post-installation services like 24/7 system monitoring and maintenance. Ion Solar offers solar financing to its customers in partnership with Sunlight Financial, Sunnova Energy and Mosaic. You get a 10-year quality of work warranty and 30-year product warranty.
Mynt Solar
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Utah-based Mynt Solar installs residential and commercial solar systems and batteries in Utah, California and Nevada. It also offers repairs, maintenance and post-installation monitoring. The company handles the entire installation process in-house and offers a 1-year money-back energy generation guarantee on all the systems it installs. Solar panels bought through Mynt Solar will have 30-year product, performance and labor warranties. Mynt Solar provides a solar loan at 2.99% for 20 years with no money down. However, the company doesn’t offer solar leases or power purchase agreements.
Smart Wave Solar
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Smart Wave Solar installs solar panels and batteries. Based in Bluffdale, Utah, the company fulfills all installations in-house instead of using subcontractors. Smart Wave Solar installs components from Silfab, Solaria and REC Solar. Because most solar systems stop operating during a power outage, Smart Wave Solar offers an emergency power supply for your solar system at no additional cost. Systems include 25-year production, quality of work and parts warranties.
How to determine which solar company in Utah is best for me
Going solar is a big deal. Treat it that way. This is a purchase that will likely cost more than $10,000 and will be a major part of your home for decades. Choose an installer carefully.
Start by seeking out companies with good reputations. Ask people you know who have gotten solar panels and see what their experience was like with the installer they chose. Then have each company on your list come to your home and give you an estimate. Make sure the estimate takes into account the particular nature of your house and your energy needs. Evaluate each one not just on price, but on the company’s service offerings, equipment and reputation.
Average cost of solar panels in Utah
Here’s a look at the average cash price for a 5-kilowatt system before factoring in tax credits and incentives, according to data from FindEnergy.com. But your system might become more expensive if you choose to include solar batteries or additional equipment in your purchase.
Utah solar panel costs
| System size (kW) | Price per watt | Total cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $3.29 | $16,450 |
Utah solar panel incentives or rebates
You have several incentives to help you lower the total cost of solar in Utah. The federal residential clean energy credit is the most significant cost-saving incentive for new solar owners. You can deduct 30% of your solar system’s cost from your federal income taxes, with no limit on system size. With the extension of this tax credit by Congress in 2022, all solar systems installed between 2022 and 2032 will qualify for this benefit.
Utah solar incentives
| Program | Description |
|---|---|
| Renewable energy system tax credit | Utah offers a tax credit limited to $400 or 25% of your solar equipment’s installation costs. The credit expires in 2023 |
| Net metering | Net metering allows you to sell your excess power to the grid for credits on your power bill. Utah doesn’t mandate net metering but some voluntarily offer the program. Check with your local utility for details. |
| Solar easement and access laws | Utah’s solar easement and access laws are similar to easement laws in other states. If you want to go solar, you can voluntarily enter an easement contract with your neighbors to remove any obstacles to your solar panels accessing sunlight. Utah’s solar rights law stops homeowners and other community associations from imposing bans and unreasonable restrictions on solar panel systems. |
Solar financing options in Utah
The upfront cost of solar panels can be high for most Americans. But there are several options to pay for solar panels in Utah. You can purchase solar panels outright or finance them with a solar loan. These options allow you to fully own the panels and recoup your costs in a few years. On average the solar payback time, the period it takes for your energy savings to surpass the cost of investing in solar, is six to 12 years after you buy your solar panels. If you can’t afford to buy or get a loan to finance solar panels, signing a lease or a power purchase agreement are other alternatives. However, buying solar panels with cash or a loan will be less costly over the long term.
Read more: Want something smaller than a whole-home solar system? See our picks for the best portable solar panels and solar generators.
Installation factors to consider
Numerous factors can help you determine whether it makes sense to go solar. Your particular home may have something specific that could make solar a bad investment. It’s good to consult a professional and licensed solar panel installer to discuss these and receive quotes from at least three companies before picking one.
Insurance on your solar panels: Many homeowners insurance companies cover solar panels in their policies. Before investing in solar panels, find out if your insurance company can protect them. If they do, remember to add them to your policy after installation.
Shading around your property: Your solar panels can generate electricity with some tree shading, but heavy shading can make solar panels a bad fit. A professional solar installer can help you understand your situation
Renting or owning your home: Renters typically have difficulty installing solar panels because they don’t own their homes. Landlords will determine whether they want solar panels on rental units. One way for renters to get green energy is to enroll in a community solar program.
Roof: Determining your roof’s age and condition is critical before installing solar panels. If your roof is more than 20 years old or in poor shape, you may want to replace your roof before you install solar panels to avoid a much costlier replacement after installation.
How we found the best solar companies
The companies we listed above as “the best” are curated from CNET’s best solar companies list. Companies making the best list are scored on the equipment, warranties and customer service they offer. Then, we make sure these recommendations are available in your state. You can read a full breakdown of how we review solar companies here.
Companies listed under the local installers were chosen in a less rigorous way. We chose them because they offered something unique or notable to customers in the state, they seemed well-regarded by internet reviewers or because they were one of the few installers we could find information on in the state.
Whether we’ve completed a full review on a company or not, it’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes from different installers before choosing a company.
Utah solar power FAQs
Are all solar panels the same?
No, not all solar panels are the same. Solar panels can differ from one another in efficiency, size, wattage and more.
How do I know if solar is the right fit for me?
There is no uniform answer to this question since every home and family has unique needs and situations. Your electricity rates, consumption habits, local incentives, installation costs and the shape and size of your roof are some factors that determine whether solar makes sense for you. The best way to find an answer to this question is to consult a licensed and experienced solar installer.
How many solar panels does my house need?
The number of solar panels you need will depend on several factors, including your current electricity usage, the amount of energy you want from solar generation, your home’s size, shading around your property and the solar panel output. A professional solar installer can help you determine the number and capacity of solar panels.
Do solar panels operate during a power outage?
Grid-tied solar panel systems shut off during a power outage to prevent utility workers fixing transmission lines and substations from being harmed by electricity sent to the grid. But companies like Enphase and SMA sell inverters that disconnect from the grid during a blackout and deliver electricity to your home from your solar panels. Using such inverters with solar batteries is the best way to ensure a continuous electricity supply.
Source: CNET
