UTAH
Solar in Utah
At 238 sunny days per year, Utah sunshine is well above the U.S. average of 205 days of sunshine.* While Utah’s electricity costs aren’t the highest, that abundant sunshine makes solar a very appealing alternative for homeowners and businesses. And on days when extreme weather causes a power outage, solar battery storage can provide backup power when homeowners need it most.
Utah’s energy efficiency policy and program efforts rank it 22nd in the nation, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).* About 91% of rooftops in Utah are solar viable, which means the state has ample opportunities to utilize solar as a source of clean energy in a way few other states can.*
Solar potential in Utah?
Utah has a great potential for solar energy. The state receives an average of 6.4 hours of sunlight per day, which is well above the national average of 3.8 hours of sunlight per day. This means that Utah has a good potential for solar energy generation.
Data from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) indicates that the number of megawatts for Utah’s solar installations ranks 12th in the U.S.* About 8.34% of the state’s electricity comes from solar, powering 442,889 homes. Utah has 50,755 solar installations, the most noteworthy being the Utah Red Hills Renewable Energy Park and 3 MW, Buckhorn Solar Plant. Information about other solar installations is available on SEIA’s website.*
Cost of solar in Utah?
Even in the same state, home solar system costs can vary due to a range of factors, including:
Percentage of shaded roof
Roof space
Household’s energy needs
Roof materials
Quality of the solar system’s panel and parts
To help you understand the price of solar panels for homes in Utah, we’ve analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country.
In Utah, we found that the cost of owning a 5 kW solar system ranges from $13,900 to $34,750, or in other words, from $2.78 to $6.95 per watt. And that’s before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.
Utah residents rank 50th among other states for the average retail price of electricity to the residential sector. As of April 2021, statistics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) show that residents of Utah pay an average price of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is at the low end of the range of what other American states pay, on average.
It’s important to know that solar power reduces your bill by however much solar energy your system produces. In addition, solar equipment can last 30 years, saving system owners around $20K in energy costs over 25 years. A few other benefits of converting sunlight into electricity are better air quality, CO2 reduction, and good jobs in an industry poised for growth.
Advantages?
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Reduced electricity bills: Solar panels can generate electricity for your home, which can help you reduce your electricity bills. The amount of savings you can expect will vary depending on the size of your solar system, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your current electricity rates.
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Increased home value: Solar panels can increase the value of your home. A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that homes with solar panels sell for an average of $15,000 more than homes without solar panels.
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Environmental benefits: Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of energy. It does not produce any emissions, which can help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy can also help to make Utah a more sustainable state.
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Job creation: The solar industry is a growing industry in Utah. The industry employs thousands of people in the state, and it is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
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Self-reliance: Solar panels can help you become more self-reliant on energy. This can be a valuable asset in the event of a power outage.
Disadvantages?
Shade: Solar panels need direct sunlight to generate electricity. If your home is in a shady area, or things are covering your panels you may not be able to generate as much electricity with solar panels.
Weather: Some Solar panels can be damaged by hail, snow, and strong winds. However, our solar panels are designed to withstand these conditions and even extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, tornado, and blizzards.
Panels aesthetic: Our solar panels are different. They are all black, sleek, and thin. They have a more modern look. Some people find solar panels on homes unattractive and if your feel like that we also offer Ground mount installations. It’s a great option if you have open land that receives good sunlight.
Utah state policies?
Net metering: Utah has a net metering policy that allows homeowners to sell excess solar power back to their utility company at the retail rate. This means that for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power that you generate and send back to the grid, you will receive a credit on your electricity bill.
Property tax exemptions: Utah exempts homeowners from paying property taxes on the increased value of their home that is due to solar panels. This means that if you install solar panels and your home value increases by $15,000, you will not have to pay property taxes on that $15,000.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs): Utah offers Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) to homeowners who generate solar power. SRECs are tradable certificates that represent 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation. Utilities are required to purchase SRECs from solar generators in order to meet their renewable energy goals. The price of SRECs varies depending on the market, but they can provide an additional source of income for homeowners who generate solar power.
Maintaining solar panels?
Solar panels are relatively low-maintenance. However, you should have them cleaned every few years to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can clean your solar panels yourself, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.
What's the best way to go solar?
Are you interested in going solar in Utah? If so, we can help!
Before going solar, be sure to keep in mind factors that will affect the output of clean energy to your home. For instance, South-facing roofs generate the most energy, followed by west-facing roofs. North-facing roofs generate the least amount of energy. We look into multiple aspects to make sure you have the most effective setup such as roof orientation, roof pitch, shade, and weather.
We offer a free virtual consultation and savings report to help you determine if solar is right for you. We will also help you access solar incentives and rebates to reduce the cost of installation.
Freedom Forever solar panels system is Top-Tier and backed by a 25-year full system production guarantee. We also offer a satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure that you are making the right decision and test it out stress free.
If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Utah, please contact us today for a free virtual consultation.
We look forward to helping you make the switch to solar!
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