Idaho Solar Guide 2026
Everything Idaho homeowners need to know: costs, incentives, net metering policy, and what makes this state unique for solar.
Quick answer
Idaho solar economics depend mainly on 4.9 average peak sun hours, an estimated $2.85/W installed cost, 10.0¢/kWh electricity, and the state's current net-metering rules.
Reviewed 2026-07-26
- Best for
- Idaho homeowners comparing solar costs, incentives, and payback assumptions.
- Inputs needed
- annual kWh usage, utility rate, installed $/W, net-metering policy
- Formula used
- Typical production = system kW × peak sun hours × 365.
- Source checked
- state incentive data, utility tariff checks, Wattcrunch price benchmarks
Key fact about Idaho solar
Idaho has very low electricity rates due to hydropower, making solar payback long. Southern Idaho (Boise, Twin Falls) has strong sun hours; northern Idaho is cloudier. EV charging is a strong solar justification here.
Peak sun hours
4.9
hrs/day avg
Avg electricity rate
10.0¢
per kWh
Median install cost
$2.85/W
before incentives
Typical payback
15 yrs
8 kW system, avg usage
Typical 8 kW system in Idaho
Annual production
14,308 kWh
Year-1 savings
$1,431
System cost (est.)
$22,800
No federal tax credit — Section 25D expired December 31, 2025.
Idaho Net Metering Policy
Full retail net metering (Idaho Power, Avista)
Idaho utilities offer full retail net metering. Idaho Power and Avista credit exports at retail under Idaho PUC rules. Annual settlement with unused credits at avoided cost. Very clean hydro grid reduces carbon benefit of solar.
Idaho Solar Incentives
Available in addition to any utility rebates. Federal 25D credit is $0 for homeowner-owned systems from 2026.
- ✓Property tax exemption on added home value
- ✓No state income tax credit for solar
Top Utilities in Idaho
Interconnection timeline: 3–7 weeks
State-specific decision guide
What to verify before signing a Idaho solar quote
In Idaho, the financial result depends on more than sunshine or the headline installation price. Confirm the export rule, program eligibility date, and interconnection timeline for your exact utility before treating a payback estimate as a promise.
Export value
This page models full retail net metering (idaho power, avista). Ask which tariff and export credit apply to your account, not only which program name appears in the proposal.
Incentive eligibility
Check equipment, income, installer, application, and placed-in-service rules before subtracting an incentive from the quote. Programs can close or change terms.
Interconnection
Budget for the published 3–7 weeks and confirm who pays for a required meter, service upgrade, or engineering review.
Source trail: production assumptions use NREL PVWatts; incentive discovery should be checked against DSIRE; electricity-market context is available from the EIA. Confirm final tax treatment with the IRS and your utility.
Calculate your Idaho solar economics
Our calculators are pre-filled with Idaho data. Run any tool below.