- Why We Picked It: SunPower has some of the most energy-efficient solar systems in the industry. They’re made with high-efficiency solar panels and in-house components designed to work together, ensuring each system performs at maximum capacity.
Solar energy growth has been slow in Utah, but state lawmakers are determined to reach their goal of 20% clean energy use by 2025. The state has been shifting from coal-fired power plants to renewable energy and has introduced several solar incentives to make solar power more appealing to residents. Utah also averages around 230 sunny days per year, making it an ideal place for a solar power system.
The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to helping you find a leading solar energy company for your home. Read our roundup of the top providers in Utah, whether you live in Salt Lake City, Provo, or St. George.
Compare Solar Companies Across UT
Star Rating | Superlative | Location Presence | BBB Rating | Link | ||
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SunPower |
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4.8/5
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Best High-Efficiency System | 50 States | A+ | Get Quote |
Palmetto |
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4.4/5
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Best Customer Support | 24 States | A+ | Get Quote |
Blue Raven |
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4.4/5
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Most Reputable | 22 States | A+ | Get Quote |
Smart Wave Solar |
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4.4/5
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Best Solar Backup Options | 2 States | A+ | Get Quote |
Tesla Solar |
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4/5
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Best Solar Tech | 50 States | NR | Get Quote |
SunPower | |
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Logo |
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Star Rating |
4.8/5
|
Superlative | Best High-Efficiency System |
Location Presence | 50 States |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Palmetto | |
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Logo |
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Star Rating |
4.4/5
|
Superlative | Best Customer Support |
Location Presence | 24 States |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Blue Raven | |
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Logo |
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Star Rating |
4.4/5
|
Superlative | Most Reputable |
Location Presence | 22 States |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Smart Wave Solar | |
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Logo |
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Star Rating |
4.4/5
|
Superlative | Best Solar Backup Options |
Location Presence | 2 States |
BBB Rating | A+ |
Tesla Solar | |
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Logo |
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Star Rating |
4/5
|
Superlative | Best Solar Tech |
Location Presence | 50 States |
BBB Rating | NR |
Utah’s Top Solar Energy Companies:
- SunPower: Best High-Efficiency System
- Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
- Palmetto: Best Customer Support
- Tesla: Best Solar Tech
- Smart Wave Solar: Best Solar Backup Options
Our Top Solar Company Picks for Utah
SunPower has nearly 40 years of experience with solar technology and is widely considered a pioneer in the solar industry. It uses Maxeon solar panels, some of the best residential solar panels available. It also produces its own compatible components instead of relying on third-party parts that may not work together as efficiently. The company offers its patented SunVault Storage System for energy storage and the Wallbox electric vehicle (EV) charger.
SunPower protects its systems with a comprehensive 25-year warranty for products and workmanship. The company also offers a 25-year power guarantee ensuring its solar panels will produce at least 92% of its promised power output.
SunPower customers can opt for a solar lease or loan, or pay for their system out of pocket.
- Why We Picked It: Blue Raven understands the importance of having the right financing options. As such, it has an in-house financial program to make its solar systems more affordable. It also offers new customers 18 months of free solar energy.
Blue Raven Solar is a full-service solar provider. The company designs its systems and handles permitting, installation, paperwork, plus any engineering your system may require. The company also assists with applying for solar incentives that reduce installation costs. Additionally, Blue Raven offers informational resources online to help educate customers about solar energy, the installation process, and ways to reduce their energy bills.
The company backs its systems with a 25-year manufacturers warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty. You also receive a two-year production guarantee. Blue Raven will upgrade your system for free if it doesn’t perform as estimated.
Blue Raven Solar offers full payments and solar loans. Its proprietary BluePower Plus+ loan includes a five-year fixed rate and 18 months of free solar power at $0 down.
- Why We Picked It: Palmetto Solar offers a concierge-style customer support team to help you throughout the installation process. The company offers multiple communication options, including phone, email, and a 24/7 online chat.
Palmetto Solar is committed to a great customer experience. The company handles each step of your solar project from planning to activation to ensure a prompt and successful installation. You’ll receive a dedicated project manager to handle your installation along with a team of in-house installers.
The company’s Palmetto Protect Essentials plan protects your system with several warranties and additional benefits:
- 3 years of proactive system monitoring
- 5-year roof penetration warranty
- 10-year workmanship warranty
- 12-year inverter warranty
- 25-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Remote troubleshooting
This plan is included with each system for free until the end of 2023. After that, customers can continue the plan for an additional fee.
Palmetto offers two payment options: full purchase or solar loan. Both options make homeowners eligible for federal and state solar incentives, which help offset installation costs. Paying outright provides the best financial benefits and return on investment. Choosing a solar loan allows you to spread out lower payments across a certain time frame. However, you’ll pay more in total due to interest rates.
Some companies also offer solar leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Solar leases allow you to pay a fixed monthly rate to use a solar system, but you won’t own the system and are disqualified from solar incentives that could save you money. PPAs allow you to pay only for the energy you use each month and are typically the most affordable. However, they also disqualify you from incentives. Though Palmetto limits its financing options, this ensures you’ll maximize your investment.
- Why We Picked It: Though best known as a leader in the automotive industry, Tesla has expanded its technological advancements into solar energy. The company offers solar power solutions throughout the country and has one of the largest coverage areas available.
Tesla offers a selection of advanced solar technology with a minimalist, sleek design. Its solar panels have no visible lines and a low profile, making it easier to blend in with your home’s roof.
The company also offers solar roof installations, which replace your current roof materials with solar shingles. These shingles perform like solar panels but have added durability to protect your home, like traditional roofing material. Tesla solar roofs require you to replace your entire current roof, increasing your overall installation costs. You can supplement your solar energy with the company’s patented Tesla Powerwall solar battery, one of the most popular solar batteries on the market.
Whereas many solar companies won’t provide a quote until after a consultation, Tesla stands out for its transparent pricing. You simply visit the Tesla website and enter information about your home’s size and average power bill, and the company will generate a free quote. The quote includes details about your energy production and system size. You can also add Powerall storage options. All systems include full pricing details with financing options and solar incentive discounts.
Tesla offers full purchases and solar loans. It does not offer leases or PPAs.
- Why We Picked It: Smart Wave Solar is ideal for customers who want guaranteed backup power. The company offers an emergency power supply at no additional cost, giving you peace of mind during emergency outages.
Smart Wave Solar offers assurance that you’ll have power even in an emergency, making it a great option if your home experiences frequent outages. The company includes an emergency power supply with each solar system. It also has battery backups available to store excess power.
The company’s Emergency Ready System is one of the most unique. These systems can be fully customized to send power to your critical needs devices, whether that means charging your phone, running your refrigerator, or powering medical equipment.
Smart Wave builds its solar systems with brand-name panels from Silfab Solar, REC, and Solaria. Each system includes a 25-year warranty for equipment and workmanship. The company uses in-house solar contractors, unlike other solar companies that use third-party installers. This makes quality control easier and ensures you’ll get a tech familiar with the equipment you need installed.
Smart Wave Solar customers can purchase or finance their system, but they must contact the company to review their financing options.
- Arizona Solar Companies
- California Solar Companies
- Colorado Solar Companies
- Connecticut Solar Companies
- Florida Solar Companies
- Georgia Solar Companies
- Illinois Solar Companies
- Maryland Solar Companies
- Massachusetts Solar Companies
- New Jersey Solar Companies
- New Mexico Solar Companies
- New York Solar Companies
- North Carolina Solar Companies
- Pennsylvania Solar Companies
- South Carolina Solar Companies
- Texas Solar Companies
- Utah Solar Companies
Solar Incentives in Utah
Solar panels are costly, and you may be looking for ways to save money. Most Utah homeowners who install a solar energy system qualify for some solar rebates, in addition to the typical energy savings that come with solar power.
Those who purchase their system outright or take out a loan qualify for the federal solar tax credit. This is a tax credit equal to 30% of your solar system’s total installation costs. Those who lease their system or enter into a PPA don’t qualify.
You may be eligible for additional state-level incentives to further reduce your solar panel installation costs. Here are some of the top incentives available in Utah.
- Utah Solar Tax Credit: The Utah state government offers a tax credit that allows you to claim 25% of your system’s cost on your state taxes, up to $400. The credit is set to expire in 2024.
- EV Charging Station Grant: Rocky Mountain Power offers a $200 grant to its customers who install an electric vehicle charging station. The grant can be applied toward the charger or its installation cost.
- Solar Easement: The state’s solar easement law helps protect your investment from potential shade obstructions, and even gives power to your local zoning authority to prevent homeowners associations (HOAs) and developers from prohibiting solar installations.
- Net-metering: Utah’s net-metering program allows you to sell your excess energy back to the grid. You’ll receive credits towards your electricity bill, which can be used if you aren’t producing enough energy and need to use grid power.
Our Conclusion
Utah is a great place to transition to solar power, with abundant sunlight and numerous solar incentives to reduce costs. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Utah is currently ranked 12th in the country for solar installations, and it’s committed to increasing its foothold in the renewable energy market.
Utah has a wide range of reputable solar contractors and companies to choose from. Palmetto Solar offers an extensive customer support system and a comprehensive protection plan to protect your solar investment into the future. We recommend getting a quote from at least three companies on this list to find the installer that best suits your needs and budget.
FAQ About Solar Companies in Utah
Yes, it’s worth it to go solar in Utah. In fact, it’s one of the top states to go solar, with several solar incentives and plenty of sunshine.
Yes, net-metering is available in Utah. Rocky Mountain Power company offers the top net-metering program in the state.
Currently, Utah’s maximum state-level solar tax credit is $400. This will expire in 2024.
Our Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:
- Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
- Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
- Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
- Financing options (15%)
- Experience (10%)
- Availability (10%)
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.