Solar panels in South Jordan, UT
Roofs in South Jordan get about 1,726 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 76% 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 South Jordan → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical South Jordan solar system costs
A 19-panel system (7.6 kW) is about right for an average South Jordan home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,150 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 4,695 | $6,384 | $526 | 12.1 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 7,042 | $9,576 | $789 | 12.1 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 9,389 | $12,768 | $1,052 | 12.1 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 11,737 | $15,960 | $1,236 | 12.9 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 15,258 | $20,748 | $1,334 | 15.5 yrs |
How we worked this out for South Jordan
Every number on this page comes from these seven steps. Nothing is a national average — the sunlight figure is measured from South Jordan rooftops.
| # | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What one panel makes here 400W ÷ 1000 × 1,726 sun hrs × 0.85 system losses |
587 kWh/yr |
| 2 | Panels needed to cover typical usage 10,800 kWh ÷ 587 kWh per panel |
19 panels |
| 3 | System size 19 panels × 400W |
7.60 kW |
| 4 | Annual production 7.60 kW × 1,726 hrs × 0.85 |
11,150 kWh/yr |
| 5 | Installed cost 7,600 W × $2.85 per watt, then −30% federal credit |
$15,162 |
| 6 | Annual saving 3,780 kWh used as generated × 11.2¢ + 7,370 kWh exported × 11.2¢ |
$1,219/yr |
| 7 | Payback $15,162 ÷ $1,219 per year |
12.4 years |
Step 6 matters more than it looks. Only 34% of what a system this size produces in South Jordan is used the moment it is generated; the other 7,370 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 — 12.1 years against the 12.4 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 South Jordan gets 1,726 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across South Jordan — 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 South Jordan reaches about 1,798 hours, roughly 4% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 1,726 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 1,798 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 | 15 |
| Google imagery from | 2023 |
When South Jordan actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 36% of South Jordan's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 13% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 76 | |
| Feb | 104 | |
| Mar | 139 | |
| Apr | 177 | |
| May | 203 | |
| Jun | 214 | |
| Jul | 208 | |
| Aug | 187 | |
| Sep | 153 | |
| Oct | 114 | |
| Nov | 83 | |
| Dec | 69 |
South Jordan produces about 3.1× 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 South Jordan's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How South Jordan compares to the other 788 cities
| Measure | South Jordan | Rank of 788 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 1,726 hrs | 192nd |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 4% | 513th most |
| Median roof size | 478 m² | 8th largest |
| Electricity rate | 11.2¢ | 761st highest |
| Payback | 12.4 yrs | 579th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 696 kg/MWh | 247th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about South Jordan:
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 173 panels — roughly 9× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in South Jordan.
- Large roofs. At a median of 478 m², South Jordan has the 8th-largest typical roof footprint we've measured.
- 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.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to South Jordan's 1,726 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OK | 1,725 | 12.1¢ | 11.5 yrs |
| Ardmore, OK | 1,724 | 12.1¢ | 11.5 yrs |
| Irving, TX | 1,722 | 15.1¢ | 9.2 yrs |
| Sunrise, FL | 1,730 | 15.3¢ | 9.1 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Utah → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
South Jordan solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in South Jordan?
About 19 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. South Jordan roofs get 1,726 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 587 kWh annually. A typical South Jordan roof fits about 173 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in South Jordan?
At 11.2¢/kWh and 1,726 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 12.4 years and returns roughly $15,323 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 South Jordan?
A 7.6 kW system costs about $21,660 before incentives and $15,162 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.