If you live in Utah and are considering investing in a solar energy system for your home, here’s some great news for you: your state offers great solar incentives to help you out. Even if you aren’t quite ready to make your solar purchase, these Utah solar rebates and incentives are sure to make the case for why solar is a smart decision in the Beehive State.
The best way to compare your solar options and save money at the same time is by registering on the EnergySage Marketplace. When you compare quotes for solar panels on EnergySage's competitive solar marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than working with a single solar company. Read our updated article on the cost of solar panels to compare solar costs across states and by panel brand.
Utah's solar tax credit makes going solar easy
For Utah solar shoppers, state and local tax credits mean there’s never been a better time to start exploring solar offerings:
Renewable energy systems tax credit
If you install a solar panel system on your home in Utah, the state government will give you a credit towards next year’s income taxes to reduce your solar costs. You can claim 25 percent of your total equipment and installation costs, up to $800. That’s in addition to the 26 percent federal tax credit for solar – not a bad deal for a system that can save you thousands each year on your energy costs!
Note that this tax credit will be reduced in value by $400 each year and expires in 2022, so now is the time to get started on your solar project.
The federal solar tax credit
Don’t forget about federal solar incentives! With the investment tax credit (ITC), now referred to as the Residential Clean Energy Credit for residential systems, you can reduce the cost of your PV solar energy system by 30 percent. Keep in mind that the ITC applies only to those who buy their PV system outright (either with a cash purchase or a solar loan), and that you must have enough income for the tax credit to be meaningful (unless you’re a tax-exempt entity, in which case you might be eligible for a direct payment).
Other Utah solar incentives
Solar easements and rights
Solar panels can harness the energy from the sun, but they need clear access to sunlight to properly do their job. With Utah’s solar easements law, you can work with your neighbors to make sure that nothing shades your solar panel system while the sun is shining. And thanks to the state’s solar rights law, your local zoning authority can prevent developers from prohibiting the installation of solar panels on your home.
Net metering in Utah
Going solar doesn’t mean that you’re not connected to the grid. When you install a solar panel system on your roof in Utah, net metering allows you to send your extra solar electricity back to the grid and receive credits on your electric bill. That way, if your solar panels aren’t producing enough electricity – like if it’s cloudy or at nighttime – you can use your credits instead of having to pay for electricity from your utility. Rocky Mountain Power offers the top utility net metering program in Utah.
