Solar Energy in Utah: Facts, Statistics, Companies

Solar Energy in Utah

Solar Rates, Incentives, Plans & Statistics

Going solar in Utah

In Utah, an average home needs a 6kW solar system in order cover most of their electricity needs. Given the average residential price-per-watt of $3.29 in Utah, a 6kW system can cost around $19,743 depending on applicable rebates and other factors.

Select your county by clicking on the map and see the potential generated solar power and panel pricing. See how it compares with the US state average.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Utah: $16,453US Average: $18,171
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Utah: 16 yearsUS Average: 11 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Utah: $4,332US Average: $14,760

Solar Potential in Utah

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
Utah.

Roof size 715sq. ft.
Capacity 10kW DC
Electricity 14.5kkWh AC per yr.

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Compare solar panels by system size in Utah

Get the most value out of your roof by comparing the different benefits a given system size has.

System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $363 a year
Est. Price
$6,581
Savings from a 2kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 3,238 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $30
  • Full payback in 18 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.12 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 97 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 5,235 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $544 a year
Est. Price
$9,872
Savings from a 3kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 4,857 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $45
  • Full payback in 18 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.17 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 146 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,853 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $725 a year
Est. Price
$13,162
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 6,476 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $60
  • Full payback in 18 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.23 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 194 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 10,471 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $906 a year
Est. Price
$16,453
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,095 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $76
  • Full payback in 18 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.29 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 243 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 13,089 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,088 a year
Est. Price
$19,743
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 9,714 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $87
  • Full payback in 19 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 6.09 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 280 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 15,076 mi less a year

Utah solar incentives, tax credit, and rebates

Utah has 15 rebates and tax credits that you may be eligable for. Visit the official links for more details to see if you apply.

Solar incentives in UT

Renewable Energy Systems Tax Credit (Corporate)

Value:Up to $2,000

The City of Brenham, in September 2010 passed an ordinance that instituted net metering and interconnection procedures. Customers are eligible for these procedures if they have generators up to 10 megawatts (MW). Homeowners with generators systems of 20 kilowatts (kW) or less are eligible for a separate rider and expedited interconnection. It’s the responsibility of the utility company to install and maintain a meter capable of measuring the flow of electricity in both directions. Every month, net excess generation (NEG) is credited at the utility’s voided cost rate. Customers must supply all the required equipment to meet safety, power quality, and interconnection standards as outlined by the National Electric Code (NEC), the National Electrical Safety Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and any other applicable local, state, or federal agencies.

Dominion Energy - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program

Value:Up to $75

San Antonio’s municipal utility, CPS Energy, will provide rebates to its customers who install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on their homes, schools, or businesses. In the case of a third-party-owned system (i.e. PV systems that are leased), the homeowner is not eligible for rebates under this program. To qualify for the rebate, you must be a CPS Energy customer with at least one kilowatt (kW)-AC. Rebates are capped at $25,000 per residential account and $80,000 per commercial account in a given year. Rebate recipients must sign an agreement granting all renewable energy credits (RECs) produced by the system to CPS Energy.

Renewable Energy Systems Tax Credit (Personal)

Value:Up to $2,000

On the statewide level, Texas lacks a net metering system as the term is conventionally apprehended. Retail electricity providers may, but are not required to, compensate their customers for electricity attained from renewable energy generation systems exported to the grid. Green Mountain Energy Company is one company that purchases electricity under its Renewable Rewards product. To earn this benefit, the customer must enter into an interconnection agreement with the retail supplier. The electricity market in Texas remains largely deregulated to include the large metro areas of Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Arlington.

Dominion Energy - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs

Value:Varies

Small, medium, and large commercial customers are all eligible for rebates from Austin Energy after installing install photovoltaic systems. Incentives are granted after installation and per kilowatt. The rate of the rebate can range anywhere from $0.02-$0.08/kWh. The latest specifics of this program, including updates to the program’s rebate and its rates, should be found on the program’s website or by contacting Austin Energy directly.

Solar Contractor Licensing

Value:Varies

Denton Municipal Electric (DME) had offered rebates on an ongoing basis; however, as of December 2020 funding for solar rebates has been exhausted with the program now suspended. Interested parties should continue to monitor the program, since it is expected that additional funding could be provided again in October 2021. The rebate is offered to DME electric customers for the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar water heating systems. The solar rebates are designed primarily for residential and small commercial customers to include existing improvements and new constructions.

Alternative Energy Development Incentive (Corporate)

Value:Varies

In 2003, the Dallas City Council signed a resolution into law requiring all newly planned municipal buildings in excess of 10,000 feet must conform to U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification standards. This ordinance was subsequently updated to ensure newly constructed buildings comply with the 2006 bond program to LEED Gold Certification. In December 2005, the Jack Evans Police Headquarters was the first building to attain LEED Silver Certification. By 2015, Dallas had constructed 26 LEED-certified facilities.

Net Billing

Value:Varies

The TNMP SCORE/CitySmart program is designed to assist education and local government facilities identify opportunities to increase energy efficiency in their existing and newly-planned facilities. The program’s aim is to help government facilities discover financial incentives to aid in implementing their energy-efficient projects. Funded by TNMP, SCORE/CitySmart program is available at no cost to its participants. Similarly, Commercial Solutions, also funded by TNMP, helps commercial enterprises other than schools and governments find a diversity of solutions to their high energy costs. This program is similarly free to those who are eligible and choose to participate.

Alternative Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit

Value:Varies

Height limitations exemptions for solar installations are found in Zoning Code (Chapter 25-2) of the Austin City Code. Solar installations, in some cases, may exceed the maximum zoning district height by 15% or the amount necessary to remain in compliance with either federal or state regulation, whichever is greater. This element of the Zoning Code also provides for preservation plans in designated historical districts to incorporate energy-efficient upgrades to the home’s energy generation and delivery systems.

Alternative Energy Development Incentive (Personal)

Value:Varies

Under Texas statutes, if it becomes necessary for a utility to construct a line extension for its customer and requires of the customer a pre-payment charge, a Contribution in Aid to Construction (CIAC), or a signed commitment to one-year contract term or greater, the utility must supply the customer with information about on-site renewable energy and distributed generation (DG) technology as an alternative. This must necessarily be provided at the time of any pre-payment or estimate on the part of the CIAC. Furthermore, this material provided must adhere to the guideline as set forth by the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT), and the information has to be supplied before any contract of a year or longer is signed.

Local Option - Industrial Facilities and Development Bonds

Value:Varies

Texas companies that solely and exclusively manufacture, sell, or install solar or wind-based energy devices are exempt from the franchise tax. The franchise tax is equal to a corporate tax, if not one and the same. This exemption is without ceiling and is meant to substantially incentivize solar and wind business in the state of Texas. A solar energy device, for the purposes of this exemption, means a system or connected series of mechanisms engineered to provide heating, cooling, or electrical power through the collection and transference of solar-generated energy. Wind energy is also eligible under this same definition.

Dominion Energy - Residential Solar Assisted Water Heating Rebate Program

Value:Varies

Commercial multifamily owners of five or more are eligible for rebate incentives on their multifamily properties through Austin Energy. The rebates are meant to assist Austin Energy customers who own dwellings of five or more units with the installation of solar PV systems. A qualifying energy system must have at least 2kW (AC) per unit. Or, alternately, the system unit must be estimated to produce 50% of annual electric consumption. The precise and most up-to-date details of this program can be obtained by contacting Austin Energy directly or by visiting the program website.

City of St. George - Net Metering

Value:Varies

American Electric Power Texas North Company (AEP-TNC) currently offers rebates to any customer who has elected to install photovoltaic (PV) systems on their primary residence or any other building they own. Service providers and third parties are also eligible for this rebate supplied by AEP-TNC. The program requires AC disconnect switches and revenue-grade solar meters provided by the supplier. Installations may be subject to long-term monitoring of performance and a variety of inspections. Details can be found in the program guidebook that’s downloadable on the program’s official website.

Murray City Power - Net Metering Pilot Program

Value:Varies

Rebates are granted on behalf of American Electric Power Texas Central Company (AEP-TCC) to any of their existing customers who install photovoltaic (PV) systems to their single-family residence or any other buildings they own. The starting rate for this rebate is $0.50 per watt (W)-DC for residential customers for the first 3 kW. Additionally, systems of 3-5 kW will be issued a flat-rate incentive amounting to $1,500 with a maximum rebate of $5000 per residential customer. To qualify for the rebate, the purchase of an all-inclusive warranty spanning at least five years is required. Navigate to the program site for specific details.

Utah Commercial PACE financing program

Value:Varies

In July of 2021, Austin, Texas, was awarded 6th place on the EPA Green Power Top 30 Local Government list. Austin sets itself apart on this list as the largest U.S. city to have each of its city-owned buildings and facilities powered by renewable energy resources. That’s to say that 100% of all municipal buildings have drawn their energy from renewable power sources since 2011. Austin City Council passed Resolution 20140410-024 into law, establishing a time frame for net-zero emissions for its city facilities by 2050 or earlier. The renewable power is sourced, through Austin Energy, the seventh-largest municipal utility in the US, from six utility-scale solar farms from across Texas.

Dominion Energy - Home Builder Gas Appliance Rebate Program

Value:Varies

The Municipality of San Marcos provides a Distributed Generation Rebate Program for the costs associated with installing grid-tied renewable energy systems. To qualify for the Distributed Generation Rebate Program you must be a San Marcos Electric Utility (SMEU) customer in addition to being pre-approved by this utility. Single-family dwellings are required to meet certain energy requirements as specified by the utility. All systems must be installed to professional specifications. More specific details are supplied on the program website.

Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.
  • Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $3.29 in Utah. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $32,905 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.
  • Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.
  • To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.
  • Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 33 verified solar install companies in Utah

Solar installers in Utah (33)

Freedom Forever

Temecula, CA(800) 685-1850

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Douglass Colony Group

Commerce City, CO(877) 288-0650

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Powur PBC

Del Mar, CA(866) 467-6987

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

IonSOLAR

Provo, UT(888) 781-7074

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Spring Solar

Bluffdale, UT(801) 520-0955

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Vivint Solar

Lehi, UT(877) 987-5591

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Progressive Power Solutions

Orem, UT(801) 823-6100

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Dividend Finance

San Francisco, CA(415) 805-7000

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Hunt Electric

Salt Lake City, UT(801) 975-8844

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Summit Energy Group

Weymouth Town, MA(888) 578-6648

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Gardner Energy

West Haven, UT(801) 689-2618

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Creative Energies

Salt Lake City, UT(801) 487-6489

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Bright Skies

Pleasant Grove, UT(608) 293-1163

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Reparation of batteries.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Fluent Solar

Lindon, UT(866) 736-1253

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Sunnova Energy

Houston, TX(866) 786-6682

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Knight Electric

Ogden, UT(801) 782-8219

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

Empire Solar Group

Salt Lake City, UT(800) 467-4562

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Badass Energy

Claremont, CA(909) 320-9860

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
Fernando García
Last Reviewed By: Fernando García
Published: 2024-03-01