Solar panels in Moab, UT
Roofs in Moab get about 1,967 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 93% of the cities we've measured. Here's what that means in cost, savings and payback, using real rooftop data rather than a national average.
Check your specific roof in Moab → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Moab solar system costs
A 17-panel system (6.8 kW) is about right for an average Moab home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,369 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 5,350 | $6,384 | $599 | 10.7 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 8,025 | $9,576 | $899 | 10.7 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 10,700 | $12,768 | $1,198 | 10.7 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 13,376 | $15,960 | $1,282 | 12.5 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 17,388 | $20,748 | $1,394 | 14.9 yrs |
Notice that payback barely improves as systems get bigger, and eventually gets worse. That's because you can only save money on electricity you were going to buy anyway. Once a system covers your usage, extra panels mostly generate exports at a much lower rate.
Why Moab gets 1,967 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Moab — it already accounts for shading from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings, which is why it's lower than the raw "hours of daylight" figures you'll see elsewhere. An unusually open, unshaded roof in Moab reaches about 1,999 hours, roughly 2% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,967 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,999 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Utah avg) | 11.2¢/kWh |
| Installed cost assumed | $2.85/W |
| Panel size assumed | 400 W |
| Federal tax credit | 30% |
| Typical household usage | 10,800 kWh/yr |
| Power used as generated | 33% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 3 |
| Google imagery from | 2016 |
When Moab actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 35% of Moab's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 14% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 92 | |
| Feb | 122 | |
| Mar | 160 | |
| Apr | 199 | |
| May | 227 | |
| Jun | 238 | |
| Jul | 232 | |
| Aug | 210 | |
| Sep | 174 | |
| Oct | 133 | |
| Nov | 99 | |
| Dec | 83 |
Moab produces about 2.8× as much in Jun as in Dec — a normal mid-latitude swing. Expect real winter shortfall and summer surplus rather than steady year-round output.
The annual total is measured from Google's rooftop imagery. Its split across months is calculated from solar geometry at Moab's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Moab compares to the other 673 cities
| Measure | Moab | Rank of 673 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,967 hrs | 44th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 2% | 639th most |
| Median roof size | 151 m² | 520th largest |
| Electricity rate | 11.2¢ | 653rd highest |
| Payback | 11.1 yrs | 433rd fastest |
| Grid carbon | 696 kg/MWh | 265th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Moab:
- Unusually open roofs. Only 2% of available sunlight is lost to obstruction in Moab — better than all but 34 of the 673 cities measured. Most roofs here get close to their theoretical maximum.
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 68 panels — roughly 4× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Moab.
- Sunnier than the rest of Utah. Moab roofs get 15% more usable sunlight than the typical Utah city we've measured — statewide averages will understate what you can expect here.
- Cheap electricity is the headwind. Utah power costs about 11.2¢/kWh. Low rates are good news generally, but they lengthen solar payback — there is simply less bill to displace.
- Older imagery. Google's aerial capture of Moab dates from 2016. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Moab's 1,967 usable sun hours from other states and provinces. Same sunlight, different electricity prices — which is usually what decides whether solar is worth it.
| City | Sun hrs | Rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escondido, CA | 1,968 | 31.2¢ | 8.2 yrs |
| Orange, CA | 1,968 | 31.2¢ | 8.2 yrs |
| Rio Rancho, NM | 1,965 | 14.8¢ | 8.4 yrs |
| Murrieta, CA | 1,963 | 31.2¢ | 8.2 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Utah → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Moab solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Moab?
About 17 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Moab roofs get 1,967 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 669 kWh annually. A typical Moab roof fits about 68 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Moab?
At 11.2¢/kWh and 1,967 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 11.1 years and returns roughly $17,072 over a 25-year panel life. That is slower than average, so compare several quotes before committing. Exported power earns full retail credit here.
How much do solar panels cost in Moab?
A 6.8 kW system costs about $19,380 before incentives and $13,566 after the 30% federal tax credit. That works out near $2.85 per watt installed. Roof pitch, shading, electrical panel upgrades and equipment choice move the price most, which is why quotes for the same house can differ by thousands.
Worth reading before you buy
Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average Utah electricity rates. Not a quote and not financial advice. Your roof, usage, utility plan and local incentives will change these numbers — get real quotes before buying.