As of 2022, enough solar energy has been installed in the United States to power over 23 million homes. Homeowners, across the country, realize the many benefits of switching to solar energy. Chief among these is the cost savings on energy bills, with homeowners standing to save tens of thousands of dollars over the course of their solar panel system.
Over 3.5 million solar energy systems have already been installed in the US, with the expectation that 13% of homes will have a solar system by the end of the decade.
Learn more about the average savings, solar incentives, net metering, the benefits of solar, the process of going solar, the costs, and why LGCY Power is your premier choice in Utah. Let’s get started.
Utah Installation Data
As of Q3 of 2022, Utah ranks 12th in the US for solar system installations. Given that the state ranks 30th in population, this statistic highlights the popularity of solar in the Beehive State.
To date, more than 2,700 MW of solar capacity has been installed in Utah, including 390 MW in 2021 alone. Close to 1,900 MW of solar capacity is expected to be installed in the state over the next 5 years.
Of the solar capacity already installed in Utah, there is enough solar power to supply electricity to 513,000 homes. 10% of the state’s electricity comes from solar, which is higher than the national average (4%).
A key reason solar power has become so popular in Utah in recent years is the declining cost of installation. Over the past decade, the upfront cost of switching to solar power has declined by 53%.
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The Benefits of Going Solar in Utah
Solar panels offer a wide range of benefits to residential homeowners in Utah. These range from personal benefits, such as cost savings, to sustainable living benefits that are healthy for our environment. Let’s look at each of these benefits.
The Benefits of Going Solar in South Carolina
We have highlighted how homeowners in Utah stand to save tens of thousands of dollars on their energy bills over the lifespan of a solar panel system. We should note that while the average savings can be substantial for the first 25 years of the system’s lifespan, this doesn’t mean that further savings aren’t possible in the following years.
A good quality solar system (for example, a Tier 1 system with a low annual degradation rate) can continue to produce electricity for upwards of 40 to 50 years with proper care. While the amount of electricity produced will decrease each year, homeowners with older solar systems can still experience cost savings.
Given the other benefits of solar panels, it should come as no surprise they are sought after by buyers in the market. Installing a solar system on a property helps to increase its resale value, according to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.
Studies show, home buyers in the US will pay a premium of around $15,000 for a property that has a solar panel system. This is understandable, of course, given that buyers of a house with solar panels will face far lower energy bills than a house reliant on grid electricity or other forms of power.
Prospective home buyers view solar panels as a home upgrade, similar to a finished basement or a renovated kitchen. Some studies have even conclude that homes with solar panels also sell faster than homes without solar.
With each passing year, it is becoming clear how human activities—such as burning fossil fuels—are causing harm to the planet and the environment. The United Nations describes climate change as the defining issue of our time, of which we are at the defining moment.
Solar energy is a renewable, clean, and abundant energy resource. Solar panels do not create any greenhouse gases, a fact that stands in stark contrast to coal, oil, natural gas, and other energy resources.
Some of the environmental benefits of installing solar panels on your property include:
- Fight climate change
- Reduce air pollution
- Reduce water usage
- Reduce dependence on fossil fuels
If you are concerned about your home’s carbon footprint, solar panels are a recommended option.
Alongside solar panels, another technology that has seen increased attention in recent years has been electric vehicles (EVs). EVs look set to allow the motor industry to move away from combustion-engine vehicles, which are of course damaging to the environment.
Several US states have announced plans to ban sales of new gasoline-powered cars in the coming years, including California, which has set a timeframe of 2035. EVs have the potential to serve the environmental movement alongside the solar industry.
Note that EVs are only as clean as their power supply. If the electricity used to power an EV is derived from burning fossil fuels, they effectively negated the environmental value of the EV.
The good news here is that solar panels and EVs pair well together. It is far better for the environment to charge an EV using solar energy from solar panels than it is to use electricity from the grid. It is also cheaper; EV owners will save by using solar energy at home compared to charging using grid electricity or a public charging station.
Solar panels are very easy to maintain and the quality panels are durable, even in harsh weather. Routine maintenance includes cleaning the panels on a regular schedule. Using either a garden hose or a leaf blower to clean the panels and keep them free of debris is a sufficient method for most homeowners.
Following periods of inclement weather, such as snow storms, we recommend that you inspect solar panels for any damage. Should you notice any issues with your solar panels, your warranty will often cover the cost of repairs.
Average Savings With Solar Panels in Utah
As noted in the introduction, the chief reason for the boom in solar in Utah has been the potential for significant cost savings. For homeowners who switch to solar energy in Utah, the average savings over the first 25 years of a solar panel system’s lifespan is between $18,000 and $22,000.
The above estimate factors in the upfront cost of the system itself. The average payback period is between 10 and 12 years.
A good way to highlight the cost-benefit of switching to solar energy is to look at the levelled amount that homeowners will pay for each kWh of power they will use over the next quarter century. The leveled cost per kWh refers to the cost of a solar system divided by the kWh produced by a solar system during its lifetime.
In Utah, the leveled cost of solar energy is just 5¢ per kWh. In comparison, taking the forecast average for Utah electric rates over the next quarter century, homeowners without solar panels will pay 21¢ per kWh. This is more than 4 times higher than the cost of solar energy, a striking difference.
Utah Statistics on Power Outages and Sunny Days
One of the biggest advantages of installing solar panels in Utah is the grid independence that it offers. Not only are homeowners more immune to grid electricity cost rises, but they are also more protected from power outages. Serious power outages in Utah are not as common as in other US states, however, they do still occur during both weather and non-weather related incidents.
In terms of sunny days, Utah boasts 238 per year. This is well above the national average of 205 days. Given that solar energy comes from the sun, residential homes in Utah are great candidates for new solar panel systems.
The Process of Going Solar in Utah
Are you planning to make the switch to solar energy in Utah? Your premier choice is LGCY Power. We are committed to providing the highest possible level of customer service and are proud to be recognized as the top-rated solar power company in the US. Our goal is to simplify the process of going solar for residents in Utah.
To get started, the first step is to contact our expert team in Utah. One of our Energy Consultants will pay you a home visit, or schedule a virutal consultation, to explain the process of switching to solar panels. If you have questions, our team is more than happy to provide you with the answers needed for your unique situation.
The next step involves coordinating with a site surveyor. They will carry out an inspection of your property’s roof, which will allow us to gauge the compatibility of your existing electrical system with our new solar plan.
Then, we will map out the details of your solar panel project, which will include choosing a solar panel system size. We’ll take care of all the behind-the-scenes details, such as permits.
We have partnerships with the best residential solar panel companies in the industry, which means that the installation phase of the project will be quick and easy. Once your solar system has been installed and activated, you can sit back and enjoy the saving on your home’s energy bills.
The Costs of Solar Panel Installation in Utah
Several factors will determine the upfront costs of installation. These include the size of the solar system and the type of solar system purchased.
Other factors that play a role in the upfront cost include the size of the property, current energy usage, and property location. For an estimate on the cost of solar panels for your property, schedule a consultation with our team.
Why Choose LGCY Power to Go Solar
LGCY Power is the trusted name in solar panels in Utah. We have worked with thousands of homeowners in Utah and across the country to help lower their energy bills and create a cleaner and more sustainable future.
If you are ready to get started by switching to solar energy in Utah, get in touch with our expert and friendly team today. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
