Solar panels in Idaho: cost & savings
Idaho averages 4.6 peak sun hours/day and $0.11/kWh electricity. Here's what solar looks like for a typical home.
Typical Idaho home estimate
| Average electricity rate | $0.11/kWh |
| Peak sun hours (daily avg) | 4.6 |
| Recommended system size | 8 kW (~20 panels) |
| System cost (before incentives) | $24,122 |
| Estimated system cost | $24,122 |
| Estimated payback period | 16.6 years |
| 25-year net savings | $16,379 |
Incentives: State income-tax deduction for solar (up to $20,000 over 4 yrs). Note: the federal residential solar tax credit was eliminated for new installations after December 31, 2025. Check your state's programs for available incentives. Retail-rate net metering is broadly available.
How Idaho compares to the rest of the US
Two numbers drive solar economics: your electricity rate and how much sun your roof gets. Here's where Idaho stands against the national average.
| Electricity rate | $0.11/kWh (34% lower than the $0.17 US avg) |
| Daily peak sun hours | 4.6 (3% more than the 4.5 US avg) |
| Net metering | Broadly available |
Idaho enjoys plenty of sun but relatively cheap electricity. The abundant sunshine means a smaller system can cover your usage, though the lower rates mean each kWh you save is worth a bit less — so the bigger your monthly bill, the better solar pencils out.
Calculate your own Idaho savings
Adjust the numbers to match your actual electric bill:
Estimate your solar savings
Two quick inputs. We use your state's real electricity rate and sun hours.
Is solar worth it in Idaho?
With Idaho's electricity at $0.11/kWh and 4.6 daily sun hours, a typical solar system pays for itself in about 16.6 years and produces an estimated $16,379 in net savings over its 25-year life, based on 2026 pricing with no federal credit (eliminated Dec 31, 2025). The higher your bill and the more sun your roof gets, the faster the payback.
These figures are estimates. Get free quotes from local Idaho installers to see real pricing for your roof.
Idaho solar FAQ
How many solar panels do I need in Idaho?
A typical Idaho home needs roughly 20 standard 400-watt panels (about a 8 kW system) to offset its electricity use, given Idaho's 4.6 daily peak sun hours. A higher bill or shadier roof pushes that number up.
Does Idaho have net metering?
Yes — Idaho broadly offers net metering, so the excess power your panels send to the grid credits your bill and improves your payback. State income-tax deduction for solar (up to $20,000 over 4 yrs). Note: the federal residential solar tax credit was eliminated for new installations after December 31, 2025. Check your state's programs for available incentives.
What's the payback period for solar in Idaho?
For a typical $99/month bill, the estimated payback is about 16.6 years, after which the power your panels produce is essentially free for the remaining ~8 years of the system's life.