Idaho power prices average $0.11/kWh, below the national average of $0.14/kWh and down slightly from last year.
In 2019 solar accounted for about 3% of in-state power generation. Aside from solar farms, about 10% of that was small-scale or privately owned solar. Also in 2019 the Idaho Public Utilities Commission unanimously rejected a change to net metering proposed by Idaho Power, keeping it so that homeowners are paid at retail cost for power they generate and send to the grid. However, at present Idaho does not have a net metering law, and interconnection generally remains largely ungoverned across the state map.
Cost of a Solar Install
The average cost of a 5kW (equivalent to saving almost 100 trees a year) solar power system starts around $10,000 in Idaho. That system would pay for itself through energy savings within 5.5-6.5 years. System life can span well over 25 years, and savings will improve with inflation.
Are Solar Panels Worth It In Idaho?
Idaho has a non-conventional solar tax credit, but it's a significant incentive. In Idaho homeowners can deduct 40% of a system's installation cost in the first year, at least up to a $5,000. For each of the next 3 years, homeowners can deduct 20% of the system cost from their state income tax. In this spaced-out way Idaho effectively offers a 100% tax deduction on the cost of a solar install.
