Federal ITC 30% (tax credit)
State tax credit: Yes ($1,000)
Net metering (by utility)
There can be solar tax credits and incentives available at the federal, state and local levels. The calculator above will show you the value of all incentives your home is eligible for.
Montana legislators haven't done a whole lot to make it easier for you to go solar, but the state's Public Services Commission came through in a big way for 2020 and beyond. That year, NorthWestern Energy attempted to advance a frankly villainous proposal to end net metering, reduce compensation for excess solar energy made by home solar panels, and impose new fees on solar owners. Thankfully the PSC not only rejected the proposal, but responded with a resounding "NO."
The PSC not only rejected NorthWestern's proposal, but also decreed that net metering would be the law of the land until distributed solar generation reaches as much as 5% of the utility's peak load. For context, Montana currently has enough rooftop solar to meet about 1% of peak demand, which means you'll have solid net metering for years to come.
Want to get solar panels for your home? Net metering provides you with 100% credit for every kilowatt-hour your panels generate, meaning you save as much money as possible and solar pays off its cost faster. Montana's commitment to net metering means you can rely on it long into the future.
Learn what solar incentives are available to Montana homeowners
See what Montana solar incentives you qualify for based on your utility company and city
Find out how much these incentives and/or Montana solar tax credits will reduce your cost to go solar and add batteries
The federal solar investment tax credit will have the biggest impact on the cost you will face to go solar in Montana
If you install your photovoltaic system before the end of 2032, the federal tax credit is 30% of the cost of your solar panel system. This is 30% off the entire cost of the system including equipment, labor, and permitting.
Example: If your solar energy system costs $20,000, your federal solar tax credit would be $20,000 x 30% = $6,000.
The federal tax credit falls to 26% starting in 2033.
With net metering in some states, you get full retail rate credit for the amount of electricity you send back into the grid with your solar panels.
Net metering requires your utility to monitor how much energy your solar power system produces and how much energy you actually consume to make sure you get credit for the surplus you send back to them.
In 2019, the Montana Public Services Commission rejected attempts by the state's main utility company, NorthWestern Energy, to reduce the amount paid for solar energy and levy new fees based on peak demand of solar owners. The Commission also put in place rules that net metering in the state would be preserved until the solar power reaches 5% of the state's total energy generation capacity.
Montana requires all investor-owned utilities to offer net metering. All surplus energy you produce will be applied as a credit to your next monthly bill. Unfortunately, if you manage to run a surplus for an entire 12-month period (customers may elect to start yearly cycles in January, April, July or October), the accumulated surplus is granted back to the utility without compensation. We think they should cut you a check.
While electric companies other than investor-owned utilities are not covered by the regulation, the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association (“MECA”) has adopted model net metering/interconnection guidelines that mirror state law, but with an even lower 10 kW system size limit. Net metering is available in whole or part from most MECA members.
While Montana does not have a dedicated state rebate for solar panel installation, some manufacturers offer their own solar rebates. These programs are usually available for a limited time or in certain geogrpahic regions, so check with an installer to see what's available to you.
Montana does not have a state solar tax credit. However, homeowners can take advantage of the federal solar tax credit, which allows you to deduct 30% of your solar installation costs from your federal income taxes. That's thousands of dollars in savings!
In addition to the money you’ll get back on your income taxes, Montana legislators have made sure you’ll also save bundles of money in property taxes. After all, installing a solar power system adds a great deal of value to your home.
Thanks to the Renewable Energy Systems Exemption, up to $20,000 of assessed value from your solar power system is 100% exempt from all property taxes for 10 good long years. That’s thousands of dollars saved over the next decade!
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Prices based on a 11.8kW system, after 30% federal tax credit
12 solar companies in Montana provide pricing on SolarReviews. Here are the best rated companies near you.
4.82 96 Reviews
Ise, over 1 month
Jeff and team arrived when they said they would, got the job done quickly, and we were up and running within a few days. Nice to see the grid-tied meter running backwards for a change!
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Ise, over 1 month
Jeff and team arrived when they said they would, got the job done quickly, and we were up and running within a few days. Nice to see the grid-tied meter running backwards for a change!
4.79 72 Reviews
David, 3 weeks ago
We used SBS Solar for our solar installation. From design through installation and go live the process was seamless. We were well informed, updated on progress and now the final result is as promised. We received our first bill from Northwestern Energy and we out produced utilization in the month of April. Given the current agenda of power generation by Northwestern Energy in our state which is doubling down on coal and natural gas along with promises of significant rate increase coupled with the current 30% federal tax credit we couldn't be happier in our decision to go solar. Based on current energy costs I believe the break even point will be around 7 1/2 years but with planned rate increases I suspect the time line will be shorter. With a 30 year warranty on the panels, 25 yrs on the optimizers and 12 yrs on the inverter it seems like a no brainer. Special thanks goes out to Josh, Ralph, Suzie, Flynt, Ty and everyone else who helped us out!
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David, 3 weeks ago
We used SBS Solar for our solar installation. From design through installation and go live the process was seamless. We were well informed, updated on progress and now the final result is as promised. We received our first bill from Northwestern Energy and we out produced utilization in the month of April. Given the current agenda of power generation by Northwestern Energy in our state which is doubling down on coal and natural gas along with promises of significant rate increase coupled with the current 30% federal tax credit we couldn't be happier in our decision to go solar. Based on current energy costs I believe the break even point will be around 7 1/2 years but with planned rate increases I suspect the time line will be shorter. With a 30 year warranty on the panels, 25 yrs on the optimizers and 12 yrs on the inverter it seems like a no brainer. Special thanks goes out to Josh, Ralph, Suzie, Flynt, Ty and everyone else who helped us out!
4.67 63 Reviews
Anonymous, over 1 month
Not only were they great to work with during the planning and installation, when we had trouble with an inverter several years later, they arranged for a warranty repair that cost us nothing. Working on our second system with them now.
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Anonymous, over 1 month
Not only were they great to work with during the planning and installation, when we had trouble with an inverter several years later, they arranged for a warranty repair that cost us nothing. Working on our second system with them now.
4.58 35 Reviews
Michael Smith, over 1 month
OnSite was a pleasure to work with. They kept me fully informed of my solar installation from when I first reached out to them until the project was completed and directing electrons into my electrical system and the grid. The quality of their workmanship is outstanding. All the technicians who worked on my installation were qualified and highly trained. Furthermore, I appreciated their professionalism and willingness to answer all my questions.
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Michael Smith, over 1 month
OnSite was a pleasure to work with. They kept me fully informed of my solar installation from when I first reached out to them until the project was completed and directing electrons into my electrical system and the grid. The quality of their workmanship is outstanding. All the technicians who worked on my installation were qualified and highly trained. Furthermore, I appreciated their professionalism and willingness to answer all my questions.
4.53 11 Reviews
Christopher S, over 1 month
Excellent service every time. These people really know their stuff. They spaced my panels perfectly on my roof. Highly Recomended !
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Christopher S, over 1 month
Excellent service every time. These people really know their stuff. They spaced my panels perfectly on my roof. Highly Recomended !
4.30 21 Reviews
Whitney Lake, over 1 month
This is my third system installed by Planetary Systems. They are our neighbors. The building is to be an experimental lab.<br />
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Whitney Lake, over 1 month
This is my third system installed by Planetary Systems. They are our neighbors. The building is to be an experimental lab.<br />
Geoff Ogden, over 1 month
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4.08 61 Reviews
Frank Appraisal, over 1 month
I guess they got bought out and they didn't handle the transition well. They are 6 months late in getting the install done and demanding payment without having my panels up and running. Probably a crap shoot with these guys. Maybe they will be good but most likely they will disappoint, and you will be stuck with a non-communicative group of boners.
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Average cost (5kW system)
$26,200 ($5.24 per watt)
Frank Appraisal, over 1 month
I guess they got bought out and they didn't handle the transition well. They are 6 months late in getting the install done and demanding payment without having my panels up and running. Probably a crap shoot with these guys. Maybe they will be good but most likely they will disappoint, and you will be stuck with a non-communicative group of boners.
4.06 16 Reviews
Thomas J. Elpel, over 1 month
Oasis Montana custom designed our photovoltaic system back in 2002. The system has worked great over the past twenty years, although there has been some wind damage to the Zomeworks Passive Solar Trackers, especially the aluminum reflectors. Whatever issue has arisen, Oasis Montana has helped track down solutions, providing stellar customer service twenty years after the sale!
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Thomas J. Elpel, over 1 month
Oasis Montana custom designed our photovoltaic system back in 2002. The system has worked great over the past twenty years, although there has been some wind damage to the Zomeworks Passive Solar Trackers, especially the aluminum reflectors. Whatever issue has arisen, Oasis Montana has helped track down solutions, providing stellar customer service twenty years after the sale!
4.01 18 Reviews
Solar Happy, 1 week ago
I am happy with the install of the solar panels. I checked in to going solar and then checked out companies. I did not feel pressured by any means to go solar right away. In fact, the sales rep and I had more than 1 conversation over a course of a year. When the timing was right for me, professional installers came and did a fantastic job with the install and explaining the full process of steps that we would go through until the final flip the switch. Very happy customer
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Solar Happy, 1 week ago
I am happy with the install of the solar panels. I checked in to going solar and then checked out companies. I did not feel pressured by any means to go solar right away. In fact, the sales rep and I had more than 1 conversation over a course of a year. When the timing was right for me, professional installers came and did a fantastic job with the install and explaining the full process of steps that we would go through until the final flip the switch. Very happy customer