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Solar Panels in Montana: Cost, Savings & Payback (2026)

Enter your own bill below — the state's 2026 electricity rate, sun hours and installed cost are already filled in.

Typical $150/mo household in Montana

System size

10.3 kW

estimated

Installed cost

$28,774

at $2.80/W

Year-one savings

$1,800

at 13.5¢/kWh

Payback

16 yrs

$36,853 net over 25 yrs

1What's your average monthly electric bill?

2Your state

3Tell us about your roof

Solar in Montana: the three numbers that decide it

Sun hours. Montana averages 4.5 peak sun hours a day (NREL), rank 44 of 51. After typical system losses that is about 1,299 kWh per installed kilowatt per year.

Electricity price. Residential power costs about 13.5¢/kWh (EIA, 2026), rank 45 of 51 — the higher the rate, the more each solar kilowatt-hour is worth.

Installed cost. Around $2.80 per watt before incentives (EnergySage marketplace data, 2026). With no federal credit for 2026 installs, this is the price you actually pay for an owned system.

Put together, a household with a $150 monthly bill would size a ~10.3 kW array, pay about $28,774, save roughly $1,800 in the first year and reach payback in about 16 yrs. Use the calculator above with your own bill.

States with similar sun hours

StateSun h/dayRate$/WPayback @ $150/mo
Montana4.513.5¢/kWh$2.8016 yrs
Minnesota4.515.1¢/kWh$2.8014.3 yrs
Wisconsin4.518.8¢/kWh$2.8011.5 yrs
Maine4.428.3¢/kWh$2.908 yrs
New Hampshire4.526.9¢/kWh$3.008.5 yrs

State figures are 2026 averages verified 2026-09-02 (EIA / NREL / EnergySage). Your utility rate, roof and installer quote will differ — see thefull state table and the main calculator.

States with similar sun hours

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

How much do solar panels cost in Montana?
Installed cost in Montana averages about $2.80 per watt before incentives (2026). A system sized for a $150/mo bill — roughly 10.3 kW — comes to about $28,774. Get quotes from several licensed installers; local pricing and equipment choices move the figure.
Is solar worth it in Montana?
For a $150/mo bill, the estimate is $1,800 saved in year one and $36,853 net over 25 years after paying $28,774 for the system, with payback in about 16 yrs. Higher bills and good roof orientation shorten payback; shading and low net-metering export rates lengthen it.
Is there a federal solar tax credit in Montana for 2026?
No. The 30% federal residential solar credit (IRC §25D) was repealed for costs paid after December 31, 2025, and that applies in every state. State and utility incentives in Montana are not included in this estimate and can still improve the payback — check the state energy office.
How many sun hours does Montana get?
About 4.5 peak sun hours per day on average (NREL data), ranking 44 of 51 states and DC. Each installed kilowatt therefore produces roughly 1,299 kWh a year after typical system losses.
Why does the electricity rate matter?
Montana's residential rate is about 13.5¢/kWh (EIA, 2026), ranking 45 of 51. Savings scale directly with the rate: every kWh your panels produce replaces a kWh you would have bought at that price.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Figures and formulas are checked against their published sources; see the site's data notes.