Solar savings & payback in Utah
Utah runs about 12¢/kWh with net billing (reduced export rate). Enter your bill for a payback estimate tuned to local rates and sun, no federal tax credit assumed (it expired at the end of 2025).
- Avg electricity rate
- 12¢/kWh
- Solar generation
- ~4.6 kWh/kW/day
- Net metering
- Net billing (reduced export rate)
- Export credit
- ~55% of retail
State incentive: State tax credit (being phased down); very good sun.
Where your money goes
Your 25-year money curve
What the planet gets
Net metering credits exported power against what you draw from the grid. Rates vary by state, California's NEM 3.0 pays much less for exports than 1:1 states.
Enter a valid monthly bill and tariff greater than zero to see your results.
How Utah compares to the US average
Three numbers decide most of your payback. Here's where Utah sits against the national picture.
Electricity rate
12¢/kWh
US average: 17¢/kWh
Cheaper power means each solar kWh saves less
Solar generation
~4.6 kWh/kW/day
US average: ~4.5 kWh/kW/day
More sun per panel than the US average
Typical payback
19 years
US average: 10.6 years
Slower than the US average on a $150 bill
Solar cost & savings by system size in Utah
Computed with Utah's rate (12¢/kWh), sun (~4.6 kWh/kW/day), and its reduced export credit, at the 2026 national benchmark of ~$2.75/W with no federal credit.
| System size | Installed cost | Generation/mo | Annual savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4kW | ~$11,000 | ~552 kWh | ~$580 | ~19 yrs |
| 6kW | ~$16,500 | ~828 kWh | ~$870 | ~19 yrs |
| 8kW | ~$22,000 | ~1,104 kWh | ~$1,161 | ~19 yrs |
| 10kW | ~$27,500 | ~1,380 kWh | ~$1,451 | ~19 yrs |
Savings assume a home large enough to use this output. Figures last reviewed July 2026,size a system from your actual bill instead.
How exports are paid in Utah
Rocky Mountain Power's export credit rate sits well below retail and steps down over time.
Because Utah pays less than the full retail rate for exported power, the numbers reward using more of your own solar, running big loads in daylight, or adding a battery to store the surplus instead of exporting it cheaply.
Policies change often, always confirm current rules with your utility or at DSIREbefore deciding.
City-level calculators in Utah
Sun varies within the state, these pages tune the generation estimate to each metro's solar resource.
Utah solar FAQs
Is solar worth it in Utah in 2026?
For a typical $150/month bill, we estimate a Utah system pays for itself in about 19 years, with no federal tax credit assumed (the residential credit expired at the end of 2025). At 12¢/kWh with net billing (reduced export rate), the case is workable but depends on your roof, usage pattern, and quotes.
How much does a solar system cost in Utah?
At 2026 benchmark prices (~$2.75/W), a 6kW system runs about $16,500 installed, generating roughly 828 kWh a month in Utah's sun. Local quotes vary 20-40% between installers, so always collect several.
What is the net metering policy in Utah?
Rocky Mountain Power's export credit rate sits well below retail and steps down over time.
Does Utah have a state solar incentive?
State tax credit (being phased down); very good sun. Since the federal residential credit ended in 2025, state and utility incentives are the main upfront help available.
How many solar panels do I need in Utah?
A 9 kW system suits a typical $150/month bill in Utah, that's roughly 22 modern 425W panels needing about 585 sq ft of unshaded roof. Enter your own bill in the calculator above for a precise size.