Let me start with the number everyone wants to know: if you hire BYOP Electric, a 10kW solar system on your Utah home costs approximately $16,000. That is $1.60 per watt, fully installed, permitted, and inspected.
If you call one of the big solar companies in Utah, that same 10kW system will cost you somewhere between $25,000 and $35,000. Same panels. Same inverters. Same sunlight. The difference is not the hardware -- it is everything wrapped around it.
I am going to break down exactly why those numbers are so different, what a realistic payback timeline looks like in 2026 now that the federal tax credit is gone, and when solar genuinely does not make financial sense. No sales pitch. Just numbers.
The Federal Tax Credit Is Gone
The residential federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) expired on December 31, 2025. This is not a phase-down -- it ended entirely. For years, homeowners could claim 30% of their solar installation cost as a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit. That is no longer available.
This changes the math significantly. On a $25,000 installation from a typical solar company, the ITC would have knocked $7,500 off your net cost, bringing the effective price to $17,500. Without it, you are paying the full $25,000.
But here is the thing most solar salespeople will not tell you: at $1.60/W, my full installed price of $16,000 is less than what the big companies charged after the tax credit. The middlemen were pocketing your incentive.
Why the Price Gap Exists
The solar industry has a middleman problem. Here is where the typical $2.50-3.50/W price comes from:
- Sales commissions: The person who knocked on your door or called you earns $3,000-$7,000 per deal. That is built into your price.
- Leasing/financing overhead: Companies that push leases and PPAs have entire departments managing those financial products. You pay for that.
- Marketing budgets: TV commercials, door-to-door teams, lead generation companies -- all of that gets baked into every quote.
- Corporate overhead: Office space, management layers, regional directors, call centers. None of that touches your roof.
- Margin stacking: Some companies use sub-contractors who use sub-contractors. Each layer adds margin.
At BYOP Electric, I have none of that. I am the owner, the designer, and the installer. I have a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a Master Electrician license. When you call (385) 355-1413, you are talking to the person who will be on your roof. That is why I can offer solar installation at $1.60/W and still run a healthy business.
Full 10kW System Cost Breakdown
Here is what a 10kW system actually costs me to install, and what I charge for it:
| Component | Cost per Watt | 10kW Total |
|---|---|---|
| Solar panels | $0.25/W | $2,500 |
| Inverter (APS DS3 microinverters) | $0.25/W | $2,500 |
| Racking & mounting hardware | $0.15/W | $1,500 |
| Roof mount sub-contractor | $0.30/W | $3,000 |
| Electrical labor (me + crew) | $0.15/W | $1,500 |
| BOS (wiring, conduit, disconnects) | $0.10/W | $1,000 |
| Permit & interconnection | $0.10/W | $1,000 |
| BYOP Total | $1.30/W cost, $1.60/W price | $16,000 |
Compare that to the $25,000-$35,000 you would pay elsewhere. The hardware is essentially the same. The difference is that I do not have a $5,000 sales commission, a $3,000 marketing allocation, and $4,000 in corporate overhead baked into every job.
Why I Use APS DS3 Microinverters
I recommend APS DS3 microinverters for most residential installations. They are US-made, cost-effective, and provide panel-level monitoring and optimization. Unlike string inverters, microinverters let each panel operate independently -- so shade on one panel does not drag down your entire array.
Some installers push more expensive inverter brands because they get dealer incentives. I recommend what gives homeowners the best value for their money.
Payback Period Without the Tax Credit
The average Utah household uses about 900 kWh per month. Rocky Mountain Power's current residential rate averages around $0.11-0.13/kWh. A 10kW system in Utah produces roughly 14,000-15,000 kWh per year, depending on roof orientation and shading.
At BYOP's price of $16,000:
- Annual electricity savings: approximately $1,500-$1,800
- Simple payback period: approximately 9-11 years
- 25-year panel warranty means 14-16 years of pure savings after payback
At the industry average of $30,000:
- Annual electricity savings: same $1,500-$1,800
- Simple payback period: approximately 17-20 years
- You might break even before the warranty expires. Maybe.
This is exactly why installer pricing matters more than ever now that the ITC is gone. At $1.60/W, solar still makes solid financial sense. At $3.00/W, it is a much harder sell -- and honestly, at that price, I would hesitate to recommend it purely on financial grounds.
Net Metering and Billing in Utah
Utah no longer offers traditional 1:1 net metering. Rocky Mountain Power transitioned to a net billing program where exported solar energy is credited at a rate lower than the retail rate -- typically around $0.05-0.06/kWh for export versus $0.11-0.13/kWh retail.
This means self-consumption is king. The more of your own solar power you use directly, the more you save. This is one reason battery storage has become increasingly attractive -- you store excess daytime production and use it in the evening instead of exporting it at a low rate.
Rocky Mountain Power also offers the Wattsmart Battery program, which pays $2,000 per qualifying battery. In exchange, RMP can draw from your battery during peak grid demand. It is a solid deal that offsets a significant chunk of your battery investment.
Factors That Affect Your Solar Cost
- Roof type and condition: Standard asphalt shingle roofs are the easiest and least expensive to mount on. Tile, metal, and flat roofs may add cost.
- System size: Larger systems have a slightly lower cost per watt because fixed costs (permits, interconnection) are spread across more panels.
- Electrical panel: If your panel needs an upgrade to 200A to support solar, that adds $2,000-$4,500.
- Roof orientation: South-facing roofs produce the most energy. East/west-facing roofs produce about 15-20% less. North-facing roofs are typically not worth installing on.
- Shading: Trees, chimneys, and neighboring structures reduce production. Microinverters help mitigate partial shading, but heavy shade makes solar impractical.
- Trenching: Ground-mount systems or arrays far from your electrical panel may require trenching, which adds cost.
When Solar Does Not Make Sense
I will be honest -- solar is not the right choice for every home. Here are situations where I would advise against it:
- Heavy shading: If large trees or buildings shade your roof for most of the day, production will be too low to justify the cost.
- North-facing roof only: Production on north-facing roofs in Utah is simply too low.
- Roof replacement needed: If your roof needs replacing in the next 5 years, do the roof first. Removing and reinstalling panels adds unnecessary cost.
- Low electricity usage: If your bill is under $80/month, the system size you need is small enough that fixed costs make the per-watt price less attractive.
- Planning to move within 3-5 years: Solar adds home value, but you may not recoup the full investment on resale in that timeframe.
If any of these apply to you, I will tell you upfront. I do not sell systems that do not make sense for the homeowner. That is the difference between working with someone who earns a commission and working with someone who earns a reputation.
Battery Storage: Worth Adding?
With net billing rates being unfavorable for solar export, battery storage has become a much stronger proposition. A battery lets you store daytime solar production and use it during evening peak hours when rates are highest.
I install six battery brands: Tesla, EG4, Anker, Ecoflow, Lion Energy, and Ruxiu. Prices range from about $4,000 for entry-level options to $12,000+ for a Tesla Powerwall. Combined with the Wattsmart $2,000 incentive, batteries can meaningfully improve your solar ROI.
Read my full battery comparison guide for detailed pricing and recommendations on each brand.
The Bottom Line
Solar in Utah in 2026 costs $1.60/W through BYOP Electric or $2.50-3.50/W through most other companies. The federal tax credit is gone, which makes installer pricing the single biggest factor in whether solar makes financial sense for your home.
At $1.60/W, a 10kW system runs $16,000 with a payback period of roughly 10 years. At $3.00/W, that same system costs $30,000 with a payback pushing 20 years. The hardware is essentially the same -- the difference is middlemen.
If you want an honest assessment of whether solar makes sense for your home, call me at (385) 355-1413 or request a free quote. I will give you real numbers, and if solar is not right for your situation, I will tell you that too.