Solar panels in Utah: cost & savings
Utah averages 5.3 peak sun hours/day and $0.11/kWh electricity. Here's what solar looks like for a typical home.
Typical Utah home estimate
| Average electricity rate | $0.11/kWh |
| Peak sun hours (daily avg) | 5.3 |
| Recommended system size | 7 kW (~18 panels) |
| System cost (before incentives) | $20,936 |
| Cost after 30% federal tax credit | $14,655 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.9 years |
| 25-year net savings | $25,846 |
Incentives: State tax credit (being phased down); net billing. The 30% federal tax credit applies in every state. Retail-rate net metering is broadly available.
How Utah compares to the rest of the US
Two numbers drive solar economics: your electricity rate and how much sun your roof gets. Here's where Utah stands against the national average.
| Electricity rate | $0.11/kWh (34% lower than the $0.17 US avg) |
| Daily peak sun hours | 5.3 (19% more than the 4.5 US avg) |
| Net metering | Broadly available |
Utah enjoys plenty of sun but relatively cheap electricity. The abundant sunshine means a smaller system can cover your usage, though the lower rates mean each kWh you save is worth a bit less — so the bigger your monthly bill, the better solar pencils out.
Calculate your own Utah savings
Adjust the numbers to match your actual electric bill:
Estimate your solar savings
Two quick inputs. We use your state's real electricity rate and sun hours.
Is solar worth it in Utah?
With Utah's electricity at $0.11/kWh and 5.3 daily sun hours, a typical solar system pays for itself in about 10.9 years and produces an estimated $25,846 in net savings over its 25-year life, after applying the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit. The higher your bill and the more sun your roof gets, the faster the payback.
These figures are estimates. Get free quotes from local Utah installers to see real pricing for your roof.
Utah solar FAQ
How many solar panels do I need in Utah?
A typical Utah home needs roughly 18 standard 400-watt panels (about a 7 kW system) to offset its electricity use, given Utah's 5.3 daily peak sun hours. A higher bill or shadier roof pushes that number up.
Does Utah have net metering?
Yes — Utah broadly offers net metering, so the excess power your panels send to the grid credits your bill and improves your payback. State tax credit (being phased down); net billing. The 30% federal tax credit applies in every state.
What's the payback period for solar in Utah?
For a typical $99/month bill, the estimated payback is about 10.9 years, after which the power your panels produce is essentially free for the remaining ~14 years of the system's life.