ThePowerPayback
Utah · Data reviewed July 2026

Solar savings & payback in Salt Lake City

Good mountain-west sun; winter inversions cost a little output.

This calculator uses Salt Lake City's own sun (~4.6 kWh/kW/day) with Utah's rate and export rules. For a typical $150/month bill we estimate a payback of about 19 years.

Salt Lake City sun
~4.6 kWh/kW/day
UT average sun
~4.6 kWh/kW/day
Electricity rate
12¢/kWh
Net metering
Net billing (reduced export rate)

Statewide policy, incentives, and the full cost-by-size table live on the Utah page

Slide, or type the exact amount from your last bill.

Exclude chimneys, shaded corners, and obstructions (~65 sq ft per kW).

Adjust assumptions (tariff & install cost)

Defaults are approximate averages for Salt Lake City. Get an installer quote to confirm your exact cost.

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.

Salt Lake City solar FAQs

Is solar worth it in Salt Lake City?

For a typical $150/month bill, we estimate a Salt Lake City system pays for itself in about 19 years, using local sun (~4.6 kWh per kW per day), Utah's average 12¢/kWh rate, and net billing (reduced export rate). No federal tax credit is assumed (it expired at the end of 2025). Good mountain-west sun; winter inversions cost a little output.

How much do solar panels generate in Salt Lake City?

Roughly 4.6 kWh per installed kW per day averaged over the year, about 1,679 kWh per kW annually. A typical 6kW system produces around 10100 kWh a year here. Roof orientation and shading move these figures.

What rebates are available in Salt Lake City?

State tax credit (being phased down); very good sun. Utility-level programs come and go, check your utility's website and dsireusa.org for anything city-specific before signing.