Solar Panel Cost in Montana (2026)
Installed solar in Montana runs about $2.70 per watt — roughly 5% above 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 4.5 daily peak sun hours.
Worked example: a typical $150/month home in Montana
A $150/month electric bill in Montana works out to about 15,000 kWh a year. Sizing a cash-purchase system to cover 100% of that:
System size
11.6 kW
Panels
29
Annual offset
102%
Gross cost
$33,820
Federal credit (25D)
$0
Expired 12/31/2025 — $0
State incentive
$0
Net cost
$33,820
Payback
14.9 yr
25-year savings
$32,714
Last updated June 30, 2026
Montana solar numbers
- Installed price
- $2.70 / watt
- Electricity price
- $0.12 / kWh
- Peak sun hours
- 4.5 hrs/day
- State incentive
- 0%
- Net-metering value
- 100% of retail
Local context: Montana retains favorable net metering, partly offsetting cheap regional power.
Estimate your own Montana system
Adjust the bill, ownership, and battery options below — it's pre-set to Montana's pricing and sun hours.
Estimated system cost
$39,759–$51,641
16.0 kW40 panels
Low $40kMost likely ~$45,700High $52k
Federal tax credit
— expired Dec 2025, we won't pretend otherwise
$0
State & utility incentives
$0
Est. annual savings
$2,523
Payback period
~14.7 yr
Net cost
$40k–$52k
25-year net savings
+$46,071
iA ballpark estimate for planning — not a final quote.
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