Solar panels in Price, UT
Roofs in Price get about 1,825 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 85% 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 Price → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Price solar system costs
A 18-panel system (7.2 kW) is about right for an average Price home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,169 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,964 | $6,384 | $556 | 11.5 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 7,446 | $9,576 | $834 | 11.5 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 9,928 | $12,768 | $1,112 | 11.5 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 12,410 | $15,960 | $1,255 | 12.7 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 16,133 | $20,748 | $1,359 | 15.3 yrs |
How we worked this out for Price
Every number on this page comes from these seven steps. Nothing is a national average — the sunlight figure is measured from Price rooftops.
| # | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What one panel makes here 400W ÷ 1000 × 1,825 sun hrs × 0.85 system losses |
621 kWh/yr |
| 2 | Panels needed to cover typical usage 10,800 kWh ÷ 621 kWh per panel |
18 panels |
| 3 | System size 18 panels × 400W |
7.20 kW |
| 4 | Annual production 7.20 kW × 1,825 hrs × 0.85 |
11,169 kWh/yr |
| 5 | Installed cost 7,200 W × $2.85 per watt, then −30% federal credit |
$14,364 |
| 6 | Annual saving 3,780 kWh used as generated × 11.2¢ + 7,389 kWh exported × 11.2¢ |
$1,220/yr |
| 7 | Payback $14,364 ÷ $1,220 per year |
11.8 years |
Step 6 matters more than it looks. Only 34% of what a system this size produces in Price is used the moment it is generated; the other 7,389 kWh is exported and credited one-for-one under net metering. Because exports here are credited at or near retail, that split changes the payback very little — 11.5 years against the 11.8 we show. In places where exports pay a fraction of retail the same split moves payback by years, which is why we model it explicitly rather than assuming.
Assumptions: 400W panels, 15% system losses (inverter, wiring, heat, soiling), $2.85/W installed, 10,800 kWh typical annual household use, 11.2¢/kWh electricity. Change any of those and every figure above moves — which is exactly why a single national "solar costs X" number is misleading.
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 Price gets 1,825 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Price — 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 Price reaches about 1,915 hours, roughly 5% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,825 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,915 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 | 34% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 5 |
| Google imagery from | 2015 |
When Price actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 36% of Price's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 14% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 83 | |
| Feb | 111 | |
| Mar | 148 | |
| Apr | 186 | |
| May | 213 | |
| Jun | 223 | |
| Jul | 218 | |
| Aug | 196 | |
| Sep | 161 | |
| Oct | 122 | |
| Nov | 89 | |
| Dec | 75 |
Price produces about 3.0× 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 Price's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Price compares to the other 788 cities
| Measure | Price | Rank of 788 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,825 hrs | 115th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 5% | 434th most |
| Median roof size | 87 m² | 728th largest |
| Electricity rate | 11.2¢ | 771st highest |
| Payback | 11.8 yrs | 509th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 696 kg/MWh | 268th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Price:
- Roof space is the binding constraint. A typical Price roof fits about 24 panels and a typical home needs 18 — so there is little room to oversize. If you add an EV or heat pump later, plan the array for it now.
- Small roofs. The median Price roof is 87 m², smaller than 92% of cities measured — worth checking your own footprint before assuming a standard system fits.
- Sunnier than the rest of Utah. Price roofs get 7% 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 Price dates from 2015. Tree growth and new construction since then are not reflected.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Price's 1,825 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enid, OK | 1,825 | 12.1¢ | 10.9 yrs |
| Fresno, CA | 1,827 | 31.2¢ | 8.8 yrs |
| North Platte, NE | 1,827 | 11.2¢ | 11.8 yrs |
| Eagle Pass, TX | 1,827 | 15.1¢ | 8.7 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Utah → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Price solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Price?
About 18 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Price roofs get 1,825 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 621 kWh annually. A typical Price roof fits about 24 panels, so check your usable roof area before assuming that many will fit.
Is solar worth it in Price?
At 11.2¢/kWh and 1,825 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 11.8 years and returns roughly $16,134 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 Price?
A 7.2 kW system costs about $20,520 before incentives and $14,364 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.