Solar Panel Cost Guide in West Valley City, UT (Feb 2023)
- West Valley City Solar Installation Cost: $9,830
- 25-Year Savings: $15,714
- Payback Period: 9.6 Years
See cost of a solar system near you:
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Average Cost of Solar Panels in West Valley City
Find out how much it might cost to go solar in West Valley City.
While the national average of solar panels is $2.66 per watt, solar panels in West Valley City generally cost about $3. Using this figure, a typical 5.2 would cost about $9,830 before the 30% federal solar tax credit is applied.
Bear in mind that the figures above are only estimates based on the average energy use of West Valley City homeowners. The price of a solar system for your home may be different depending on factors unique to you, like your household energy use and solar contractor. Many homeowners find adopting solar power is a sound investment. The average homeowner in West Valley City can save about $19,000 on their energy bills over 20 years.
To see your potential ROI and connect with a local solar installer, click the button below.
Solar savings over time in West Valley City
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-8,808 |
| 3 years | $-6,765 |
| 5 years | $-4,721 |
| 7 years | $-2,678 |
| 9 years | $-634 |
| 11 years | $1,409 |
| 13 years | $3,453 |
| 15 years | $5,496 |
| 17 years | $7,540 |
| 19 years | $9,583 |
| 21 years | $11,627 |
| 23 years | $13,670 |
| 25 years | $15,714 |
Top Solar Installers in West Valley City
When making the switch to solar, many homeowners decide to use a solar installation company since overseeing your solar installation yourself can be a challenging project. Some solar installers, especially local ones, can help you take advantage of incentives in West Valley City, therefore optimizing your ROI.
You can get a free estimate from a local solar installer on how much solar panels could cost for your home. Here are some in West Valley City:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
See all of the solar companies in West Valley City
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in West Valley City
There are a number of factors that can play into your solar system installation cost, such as the size of your system, the equipment you choose, your financing options and the specific company that installs your solar system.
Solar Equipment
When it comes to estimating the price of a solar system in West Valley City, one of the most crucial factors is the size of the system you need. Solar systems are sized by kilowatts (kW) and are chiefly based on your home's energy consumption, which you can determine by looking at past electricity bills. Your overall cost can increase by about $2,680 for each additional kilowatt you need. The brand and kind of equipment you want for your solar system can increase or decrease the price quite significantly. If you prefer a brand name like Tesla or SunPower, these often have a higher price tag than other brands. Efficiency also matters. Whether you're opting for high efficiency because you have a small roof or just want maximum energy production, you will be looking at a higher equipment cost, but this can typically lead to greater savings over time. Also, if you want add-ons like an electric vehicle charger or solar batteries, this will also increase the cost.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for a solar system in cash is out of reach, solar loans are an affordable choice because they lower your upfront costs and let you pay for your system over five to seven years on average. However, the interest on solar loans also adds to your total costs, so it's crucial to include that in your estimate as well. You can always lower the total you pay in interest and sometimes even your APR by putting more money down.
Solar Panel Installation Company
Lastly, the company you get to install your solar system can influence your pricing. West Valley City's solar companies all have different labor costs and add varying upcharges to equipment. The company's size sometimes plays the most significant role in your total costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower prices because they have greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger companies.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.79 | $11,706 | $17,536 | 10.0 years |
| 8 kW | $2.73 | $15,308 | $23,682 | 9.8 years |
| 10 kW | $2.68 | $18,760 | $29,978 | 9.6 years |
| 12 kW | $2.63 | $22,062 | $36,423 | 9.4 years |
| 14 kW | $2.57 | $25,213 | $43,019 | 9.2 years |
| 16 kW | $2.52 | $28,215 | $49,765 | 9.0 years |
| 18 kW | $2.47 | $31,067 | $56,661 | 8.9 years |
| 20 kW | $2.41 | $33,768 | $63,707 | 8.7 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
Since the model of solar panels and the company you choose significantly impacts your costs and your system's efficiency, production, and durability, it's important to select the right ones for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind to help with your decision:
- Solar Panel Brands: Not all solar companies have the same brands of solar panels, so the brand and type of panel you want can play a big role in the company you opt for.
- Warranty: A high-quality company stands out from other companies by offering the gold standard warranty — a 25-year, all-inclusive warranty covering parts, labor and performance.
- Contract: It's important to read through your solar installer's contract thoroughly to understand what services they will provide, what the warranty covers and what expectations you should have about the cost.
- Reputation: Make sure your solar installer has a good reputation by confirming it has certifications and licenses, checking its number of years in business and reading reviews by past customers and solar experts like EcoWatch.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
EcoWatch's West Valley City, UT Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in West Valley City?
The average cost of solar panels in West Valley City is about $13,400 for a 5-kW system and $26,800 for a 10-kW system before the ITC, but the real cost will depend on things like the type of solar panels you want, what size system you need and how much energy you use.
Should I lease or buy solar panels in West Valley City?
Leasing solar panels can be an attractive choice, as it commonly comes with low or $0 upfront payments. The downside is that you won't be able to save as much. If you lease, you don't own the system, so you can't claim any tax rebates and credits and your home value won't increase. Buying solar panels is a better way to go if you want to maximize your savings.
Does West Valley City have a net metering program?
Most states have net metering programs of some kind. Through these, you can either get paid for the extra power your system produces or or receive credits to put toward future utility bills. Currently there are just three states that don't have any net metering laws: Alabama, Tennessee and South Dakota.
How many solar panels do I need to power my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy usage and how much sunlight your roof gets. You can take a look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.