Best Solar Companies in Salt Lake City, Utah

Solar panel costs in Salt Lake City

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $9,520 to $27,200 in Utah. Prices in Salt Lake City are comparable, ranging from $9,520 to $27,200.

This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts or if you don’t opt into Salt Lake City’s net metering program.

System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average Salt Lake City household needs a system with a capacity of 10.72 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

Average total solar installation costs by system size in Salt Lake City

How can I pay for solar panels?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease.

• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Is solar worth it in Salt Lake City?

Solar panels are generally worth it in Utah if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Salt Lake City homeowners with solar panels can avoid $53,135 in total utility costs over 25 years.

The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 12.9 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost). Utah has relatively cheap electricity prices, so your savings aren’t as substantial over time.

Considering Utah averages 6 to 7 peak sun hours each day, switching to solar is worth considering. We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator. 

Potential roof problems

As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels. This is an expensive and frustrating process. Ahmed in South Jordan said it cost $200 per panel, totaling $11,000. 

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

How to find a reputable solar company in Salt Lake City

In our experience, the best solar companies in Utah have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.

• Avoid scams: Watch out for door-to-door solar scams that attempt to gather your personal information, misleading claims, false advertising and aggressive sales tactics.
• Check certifications: In Utah, solar contractors can install and replace solar panels, but a licensed general electrical contractor must do electrical wiring. You can confirm a potential installer’s credentials through the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
• Get quotes: Get multiple quotes from different solar companies to compare prices and services. Be cautious of companies that provide significantly lower estimates than others — this may indicate lower quality.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

What to know about your HOA and solar panels

Utah's solar access laws protect homeowners’ ability to install rooftop solar by limiting restrictive homeowners association (HOA) rules. Restrictions can not reduce your system’s output by more than 5% or increase your overall costs by more than 5%. Local land-use authorities can also override private covenants that unreasonably restrict solar collectors.

» BEST STATES FOR SOLAR: Utah ranked 20th in 2024

Residential solar panel incentives in Salt Lake City

The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is still the best incentive for most homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. You can combine the ITC with local solar incentives in Utah to maximize savings. For instance, residents can take advantage of the Renewable Energy Systems Tax Credit (RESTC).