Utah Solar Buyers Checklist (by Solar Butlers)
Before signing any solar contract, make sure you get clear answers to these key questions. Don’t let sales pressure rush your decision. If you’re unsure, Solar Butlers can review your quotes and contracts for free to protect your investment.
Pricing & Financing
- What’s the total cash price? Get the full price upfront, not just a monthly payment.
- What exactly am I financing? Some companies inflate prices for loans—know what’s included.
- Are there hidden fees? Dealer or processing fees can add thousands to the final cost.
- What happens if your company goes out of business? With several Utah companies closing recently, this question matters.
Solar Butlers Tip: We review your pricing and financing terms to ensure full transparency.
Savings & Performance
- What utility rate are you using for savings? Rocky Mountain Power’s Schedule 137 export credit is much lower than the old net metering program.
- What export credit rate are you assuming? Current average: about 5.6¢/kWh in summer, 4.7¢/kWh in winter.
- How much will my system degrade each year? Expect a 0.5–0.8% loss in efficiency annually.
- What utility rate increases are you assuming? Over 3–4% annually is unrealistic.
Solar Butlers Tip: We audit your savings estimates so you know what’s real—not sales hype.
System & Equipment
- What panel and inverter brands are you using? Research before you buy. Avoid no-name parts.
- How big is the system (kW and number of panels)? Get exact specs to compare quotes accurately.
- Who installs the system, and are they licensed? Some companies subcontract to unlicensed installers.
Solar Butlers Tip: We verify your system specs and installation credentials for quality assurance.
Warranty & Service
- What warranties come with the system? Panels typically have 20–25 year warranties; inverters 10–25 years.
- Who handles warranty claims? Many companies disappear after installation, leaving you without support.
- What happens if my system stops working? Monitoring and maintenance are critical for long-term performance.
Solar Butlers Tip: We handle solar service, maintenance, and performance checks so your system keeps saving.
Contract & Legal
- Does this contract meet Utah’s HB 215 requirements? Disclosures must be presented in clear, plain language.
- What are my cancellation rights? Utah law gives you 15 days after your second power bill to cancel without penalty.
- Are you affiliated with Rocky Mountain Power or any government agency? The correct answer is no—solar companies are independent.
Company Verification
- How long have you been in business in Utah? Experience with local utilities and regulations matters.
- Can you share references from Utah homeowners? Ask for customers who’ve had their system at least one year.
- Are you licensed and insured? Always verify this directly.
Solar Butlers Tip: We vet Utah solar companies daily so you don’t have to.
Red Flags – Walk Away If:
- High-pressure “sign today” tactics
- Unrealistic savings claims
- Missing licenses or references
- No written calculations
- Requests for full payment upfront
If anything feels off, contact Solar Butlers before signing. We’ll give you an honest, expert read.
Next Steps
Feeling overwhelmed? You don’t have to navigate Utah’s solar market alone.
Solar Butlers can:
- Review your quotes and contracts
- Verify savings calculations
- Check company credentials
- Ensure HB 215 compliance
- Provide unbiased recommendations
We’re not salespeople—we’re your solar service experts.
