Montana's electricity prices average $0.12/kWh, up slightly from the last year but below the national average of $0.14/kWh.
The average cost of a 5.5kW (equivalent to saving roughly 100 trees a year) solar power system starts around $12,000 in Montana. That system would pay for itself through energy savings within 6-7 years. System life can span well over 25 years, and savings will improve with inflation.
In 2019 about 3% of Montana's net power generation came from solar generation. The state does have a net metering policy where energy contributed to the utility grid is credited to next month's bill. However, if at the end of the year a homeowner has a net surplus, it does not roll over to the new year. Solar power systems are exempt from property tax, and the state does offer a tax credit of up to $1,000 for a household with more than one taxpayer.
Data from DSIRE. For more info visit: https://www.dsireusa.org/
Name | Implementing Sector | Program Type | Administrator | DSIRE ID |
---|---|---|---|---|
Lincoln Electric Cooperative - Net Metering | Utility | Net Metering | 24 | |
Mandatory Utility Green Power Option | State | Mandatory Utility Green Power Option | 26 | |
Montana Electric Coops - Net Metering | Utility | Net Metering | 72 | |
Renewable Resource Standard | State | Renewables Portfolio Standard | 384 | |
Fuel Mix and Emissions Disclosure | State | Generation Disclosure | 534 | |
Montana Electricity Buying Cooperative | State | Mandatory Utility Green Power Option | 627 | |
Yellowstone Valley Electric Coop - Solar Stock Watering Units | Utility | Other Incentive | Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative | 789 |
Energy Efficiency Standards for State Buildings | State | Energy Standards for Public Buildings | 3363 | |
Northwestern Energy - E+ Energy Appraisal for Businesses | Utility | Energy Analysis | Northwestern Energy | 14614 |
Glacier Electric Cooperative - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebates | Utility | Energy Analysis | Glacier Electric Cooperative | 16856 |
Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative - Energy Analysis | Utility | Energy Analysis | Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. | 17522 |
Montana State University - Montana Manufacturing Extension Center | Other | Energy Analysis | Montana State University | 17526 |
Ravalli County Electric Coop - Net Metering | Other | Other | Ravalli County Electric Coop, Inc. | 19367 |
Sun River Electric Coop - Energy Audit | Other | Energy Analysis | Sun River Electric Coop | 19403 |
BetterBricks - Integrated Design Lab | Other | Energy Analysis | Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) | 21559 |
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance - Energy Training Calendar | Other | Training and Information | Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance | 21560 |
Northwest Water & Energy Education Institute - Energy Management Certification Programs | Other | Training and Information | Northwest Water & Energy Education Institute | 21561 |
Northwest Water & Energy Education Institute - Energy Management Certificate | Other | Training and Information | Northwest Water & Energy Education Institute | 21562 |
U.S. Department of Energy - Industrial Assessment Center (IAC): Colorado State University | Federal | Energy Analysis | U.S. Department of Energy | 21600 |
Park Electric Cooperative Inc. - Net-Metering | Utility | Other | Park Electric Cooperative Inc. | 21916 |