Ballpark Lab
Idaho solar estimate

Solar Panel Cost in Idaho (2026)

Installed solar in Idaho runs about $2.55 per watt — roughly 1% below the national average of $2.58/W. With the federal residential tax credit (25D) gone as of 2026, payback here rests on a $0.12/kWh power price and 4.9 daily peak sun hours.

Worked example: a typical $150/month home in Idaho

A $150/month electric bill in Idaho works out to about 14,634 kWh a year. Sizing a cash-purchase system to cover 100% of that:

System size
10.4 kW
Panels
26
Annual offset
102%
Gross cost
$29,020
Federal credit (25D)
$0
Expired 12/31/2025 — $0
State incentive
$0
Net cost
$29,020
Payback
13.2 yr
25-year savings
$37,558

Last updated June 30, 2026

Idaho solar numbers

Installed price
$2.55 / watt
Electricity price
$0.12 / kWh
Peak sun hours
4.9 hrs/day
State incentive
0%
Net-metering value
100% of retail

$/W: industry pricing surveys · electricity: U.S. EIA, 12-month average through April 2026 · sun hours: NREL.

Local context: Cheap hydro power lengthens Idaho paybacks despite solid sun.

Estimate your own Idaho system

Adjust the bill, ownership, and battery options below — it's pre-set to Idaho's pricing and sun hours.

Tell us about your home

Average monthly electric bill$210
Estimated system cost
$34,121$44,319
14.4 kW36 panels
Low $34kMost likely ~$39,220High $44k
Federal tax credit
— expired Dec 2025, we won't pretend otherwise
$0
State & utility incentives
$0
Est. annual savings
$2,534
Payback period
~12.9 yr
Net cost
$34k–$44k
25-year net savings
+$52,964
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Monthly shape modeled with NREL PVWatts® v8 (NSRDB 2020 TMY) — updated July 18, 2026.

Electricity 12.3¢/kWh — U.S. EIA, 12-month average through April 2026.

iA ballpark estimate for planning — not a final quote.

Data: U.S. EIA · OpenEI URDB · Google Solar · NREL PVWatts · DSIRE · IRS · ENERGY STAR · industry surveys see all sources

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