Sunny's Guide: Is Solar Still Worth it in Utah? The Real 2025 ROI Breakdown
By Sunny the Solar Pro • February 26, 2025 • 9 min read
I have a confession to make: I used to be a solar salesman. I know, I know—don't hold it against me! I left that world because I was tired of seeing people get promised "zero dollar power bills" by guys in fancy suits who had never actually been on a roof.
I love the sun, and I love solar power, but I love the truth even more. In 2025, the math for solar in Utah has changed. We aren't in the "wild west" of net metering anymore, and if you don't understand the new rules, you might be waiting twenty years to see a return on your investment.
But here is the good news: if you do it right (and pair it with the right roof), solar is still one of the best ways to grow your home's value. Let me show you the real numbers.
Net Metering vs. Net Billing (What the Salesman Didn't Tell You)
In the "good old days" in Utah, for every kilowatt of power you sent back to the grid, Rocky Mountain Power gave you a kilowatt back for free. It was a 1-to-1 swap. That was called "Net Metering." But those days are over. Now, we use "Net Billing."
When you send power back to the grid during the day, the utility company only pays you a fraction of what they charge you to buy it back at night. It's usually around 5 to 9 cents per kilowatt-hour. This means if you just put a massive array of panels on your roof and hope for the best, you're basically selling your power at a discount and buying it back at full price.
My tip? Size your system for your "baseload," not your "peak." You want to use as much of your own power *while it's being made* as possible. I worked with a family in Provo who shifted their dishwasher and laundry to run at 11:00 AM instead of 8:00 PM. That one little change in habit saved them $40 a month because they were consuming their own "free" solar power instead of selling it for pennies and buying it back for quarters.
Professional Takeaways
- Sunny's Rule: Size your system for what you use during the day
- Net Billing pays you 5-9 cents; the grid charges you 12-15 cents
- Shift high-energy chores (laundry, dishes) to the middle of the day
- Avoid the "oversizing" trap that solar salesmen love to push
The 30% Gift from Uncle Sam (The Federal Tax Credit)
The biggest reason solar still makes sense in 2025 is the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC). It's currently at 30%, and it's a direct credit against your taxes—not just a deduction. If your system costs $20,000, the government effectively pays for $6,000 of it.
I remember a client in Salt Lake who was worried about the price. When they realized that the $6,000 credit basically wiped out their entire tax bill for the year, it was a no-brainer. But here is a Sunny Secret: you can often include the cost of roof repairs or even rafter reinforcement in that 30% credit if the work is necessary to support the solar system.
This is why coordinating with the Sky Ridge crew is so important. If we document that your roof *needs* specific upgrades to handle the weight or the mounts, your tax pro has a much stronger case for including those costs in your credit. It's like getting a 30% discount on your roof replacement!
Professional Takeaways
- The Federal Tax Credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in what you owe
- 30% applies to panels, batteries, and necessary roof upgrades
- You can carry over unused credit to future tax years
- Coordinating roof and solar work maximizes your potential tax savings
ROI and Home Resale Value
I get asked this all the time: "Sunny, will I get my money back when I sell the house?" The short answer is yes, but only if you *own* the system. Do not—I repeat, DO NOT—sign a 25-year lease or a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement).
When you lease your solar, the solar company owns the panels, not you. If you try to sell your house, the buyer has to qualify for your credit and take over your lease. I've seen dozens of home sales fall through in Orem and Sandy because the buyers didn't want to take on a $150/month solar lease.
If you own the system, studies show that Utah homes with solar sell for about 4% more than homes without it. On a $500,000 house, that's a $20,000 bump! That basically covers the cost of the system right there. When you combine the energy savings, the tax credit, and the home value increase, most Utah solar systems pay for themselves in 7 to 9 years.
Professional Takeaways
- Sunny's Rule: Ownership = Equity; Leasing = Liability
- Utah homes with solar sell 20% faster than those without
- Average Utah payback period is 7-9 years for owned systems
- Buyers love "locked-in" energy costs in a market with rising rates
Wrapping it up
Solar in Utah isn't a "get rich quick" scheme, and it isn't "free power" from day one. It's a smart, long-term investment in your home's infrastructure. If you understand the shift to Net Billing and you take advantage of the 30% tax credit, the math still looks incredible.
Sunny and the Sky Ridge crew are here to give you a real, honest look at your roof's potential. We won't sell you a system you don't need, and we'll make sure the roof underneath is just as solid as the panels on top. Reach out today, and let's see if we can make the Utah sun work for your wallet!
