Solar Energy Guide: St. George, Utah

St. George receives more than 300 days of sunshine annually and ranks among the best solar resources in the United States. A typical 8–10 kW residential system covers most or all of an average Washington County home's electricity needs. Southern Utah homes often have ideal south-facing roof space and minimal shading, making them well-suited for rooftop solar installation.

Commercial solar installations in St. George range from small retail building systems to large ground-mount arrays for industrial users. Commercial solar offers strong ROI for businesses with high daytime electricity consumption — including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and agriculture. Many Washington County businesses have reduced operating costs significantly through commercial solar.

Home battery systems — including the Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery, and Franklin WH — store excess solar energy for use at night or during outages. Battery storage is increasingly popular in Southern Utah given the grid's vulnerability to summer heat events and occasional wildfire-related outages. Paired with solar, batteries can provide whole-home backup for essential loads.

Solar buyers in Utah benefit from multiple financial incentives. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides a 30% tax credit on system cost through 2032. Utah's Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit adds 25% of system cost up to $2,000. Rocky Mountain Power's Blue Sky program and other utility incentives may further reduce costs. Combined incentives can reduce effective system cost by 35–40%.

Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) is the primary utility serving Washington County. Utah's net metering program allows residential solar customers to receive bill credits for excess electricity exported to the grid. As of 2026, Utah uses a tiered net metering system — credits for exported power are calculated at rates that vary based on total solar penetration on the grid. Understanding your net metering rate is essential to accurately projecting solar savings.

Most St. George solar installations are financed through solar loans, cash purchases, or power purchase agreements (PPAs). Solar loans through local credit unions and specialty solar lenders offer terms from 5 to 25 years at competitive rates. Cash purchases offer the fastest payback and full tax credit capture. PPAs allow homeowners to go solar with no upfront cost, paying a set rate for electricity produced.

Rooftop solar panels require minimal maintenance in Southern Utah's desert climate. Annual panel cleaning to remove dust and pollen accumulation is recommended — St. George's dry summers mean panels can collect significant dust between rainfall events. Most inverters carry 10–12 year warranties while panels carry 25-year performance warranties. Annual system performance reviews can identify underperforming panels or micro-inverter failures.

For renters, condo owners, or homeowners with shaded or north-facing roofs, community solar programs offer an alternative path to solar savings. Subscribers purchase or lease a share of an off-site solar array and receive bill credits for their share's production. Rocky Mountain Power's subscriber solar program and third-party community solar operators serve Southern Utah customers who cannot install rooftop systems.

How much does solar cost in St. George, Utah?

A typical residential solar system in St. George ranges from $18,000 to $35,000 before incentives, depending on system size, panel brand, and installer. After applying the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit and Utah's 25% state credit (up to $2,000), effective costs typically run $12,000–$25,000 for most households. System size is determined by your electricity consumption — average Washington County homes use 1,000–1,400 kWh per month given air conditioning loads in summer. Most installers provide free site assessments and customized proposals based on your actual utility bills.

What solar tax credits are available in Utah?

Utah solar buyers benefit from two main tax incentives in 2026. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides a 30% nonrefundable tax credit on the total installed cost of a solar system, including batteries when installed simultaneously with solar. Utah's Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit provides an additional 25% state credit up to $2,000 on the net system cost after the federal credit. To claim both credits, you must own (not lease) your system, have sufficient federal and state tax liability, and file the appropriate tax forms. Consult a tax advisor to confirm your specific situation.

What is the ROI timeline for solar in Southern Utah?

Southern Utah's abundant sunshine and high summer electricity rates create favorable conditions for solar ROI. Most St. George homeowners who pay cash for their system achieve payback in 6–9 years, with a net positive savings of $30,000–$60,000 over the 25-year panel warranty period. Financed systems generate immediate monthly savings if the loan payment is less than the electricity bill reduction — often achievable with $0 down solar loans. The calculation depends on your current electricity rate, system production, and net metering credit rates. Rocky Mountain Power's summer peak rates (June–September) significantly affect the math for high-usage households.

How does net metering work for Rocky Mountain Power customers in Utah?

Rocky Mountain Power customers in Washington County participate in Utah's net metering program under Schedule 135. When your solar system produces more electricity than your home uses at any given moment, the excess flows back to the grid and you receive a bill credit. Credits are applied at a rate set by the Utah Public Service Commission, which has moved toward a tiered structure that values exported solar at less than the retail rate. Monthly credits carry forward; annual true-up determines your net position. During summer, most solar homes in St. George are net exporters; during winter months with shorter days and higher heating consumption, most homes draw more from the grid. Annual production and consumption should roughly balance for a correctly sized system.

What are the best solar companies in St. George, Utah?

When evaluating solar companies in St. George, look for installers licensed in Utah, with certified electricians on staff and demonstrated local project experience. Check for BBB accreditation, Google and Yelp reviews from verifiable Washington County customers, and whether they handle permits and Rocky Mountain Power interconnection in-house or subcontract. National installers like Sunrun and Tesla Energy serve the region, as do regional and local Utah-based installers. Local companies often provide more responsive post-installation service. Get quotes from at least three companies, compare system specifications (panel brand, inverter type, production estimates), and review warranty coverage carefully before signing.

Can HOAs in St. George restrict solar panel installation?

Utah's Solar Rights Act (Utah Code 57-13) significantly limits HOA authority to prohibit solar energy systems. HOAs may not prohibit solar installations that meet reasonable aesthetic requirements but cannot outright ban rooftop solar panels. However, HOAs may impose location requirements — such as requiring panels be placed on rear-facing roof slopes not visible from the street — as long as such requirements do not reduce system output by more than 10% or increase system cost by more than 10%. Review your CC&Rs and submit a written application to your HOA before installation. Most HOA-compliant installations in Washington County proceed without issues once proper documentation is submitted.

St. George, Utah occupies one of the highest solar irradiance zones in the continental United States. The combination of the Mojave Desert climate, high elevation, and minimal cloud cover means that solar panels in Washington County produce significantly more electricity per installed kilowatt than the national average. A typical 8 kW system in St. George generates approximately 13,000–15,000 kWh per year — enough to power most single-family homes. Rocky Mountain Power serves Washington County as the primary electric utility, and its net metering program allows solar customers to offset their bills with credits for exported electricity. For homeowners struggling with summer electric bills driven by constant air conditioning, solar offers a direct financial hedge against rising utility rates.

The solar incentive landscape in Utah makes the economics particularly compelling. The combination of the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit, Utah's state credit, and the elimination of ongoing electricity costs typically produces payback periods well under 10 years for cash-purchase systems. The 25-year performance warranties offered by Tier 1 panel manufacturers mean that well-installed systems continue generating free electricity long after payback. Washington County's building departments process solar permits efficiently compared to many jurisdictions, and Rocky Mountain Power's interconnection process, while regulated, is navigable with a competent installer. The primary question for most homeowners is not whether solar makes sense in Southern Utah — it almost always does — but rather which system design, installer, and financing structure best fits their situation.