Solar panels in Montana: cost & savings
Montana averages 4.3 peak sun hours/day and $0.12/kWh electricity. Here's what solar looks like for a typical home.
Typical Montana home estimate
| Average electricity rate | $0.12/kWh |
| Peak sun hours (daily avg) | 4.3 |
| Recommended system size | 8.6 kW (~22 panels) |
| System cost (before incentives) | $25,804 |
| Estimated system cost | $25,804 |
| Estimated payback period | 16.4 years |
| 25-year net savings | $18,378 |
Incentives: State tax credit (up to $500); net metering. 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 Montana 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 Montana stands against the national average.
| Electricity rate | $0.12/kWh (28% lower than the $0.17 US avg) |
| Daily peak sun hours | 4.3 (4% less than the 4.5 US avg) |
| Net metering | Broadly available |
Montana has both below-average electricity prices and below-average sun, so the payback runs longer than in top solar states. Solar can still be worthwhile — especially if your bill is high or rates keep climbing — but it pays to compare a couple of quotes carefully here.
Calculate your own Montana 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 Montana?
With Montana's electricity at $0.12/kWh and 4.3 daily sun hours, a typical solar system pays for itself in about 16.4 years and produces an estimated $18,378 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 Montana installers to see real pricing for your roof.
Montana solar FAQ
How many solar panels do I need in Montana?
A typical Montana home needs roughly 22 standard 400-watt panels (about a 8.6 kW system) to offset its electricity use, given Montana's 4.3 daily peak sun hours. A higher bill or shadier roof pushes that number up.
Does Montana have net metering?
Yes — Montana broadly offers net metering, so the excess power your panels send to the grid credits your bill and improves your payback. State tax credit (up to $500); net metering. 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 Montana?
For a typical $108/month bill, the estimated payback is about 16.4 years, after which the power your panels produce is essentially free for the remaining ~9 years of the system's life.