Solar power in Helena, Montana
NorthWestern Energy offers its Helena customers net metering, a valuable incentive which makes it easy to elimiate electric bills.
Helena residents can also take advantage of Montana’s personal tax credit, which is equal to $500. If two taxpayers live on the property together, they can file jointly to get a tax credit equal to $1,000.
The combination of NorthWestern’s net metering program, the Montana state tax credit, and the federal tax credit is a recipe for excellent savings on installing a solar system in Montana.
Net Metering Broken Down
The utility will provide kilowatt hour credits for any excess electricity a customer’s solar system generates. This is the same as receiving the full retail rate for electricity.
Getting the full retail rate for extra electricity generated by your system provides great savings on your electric bill.
The average cost of installing residential solar panels in Helena,
Montana in 2025 is
$2.58 per watt. The average system size
in the US is 6 kilowatts, which means the average price of a solar system
in Helena, MT
is $12,900.
(after claiming 26% tax credit and other rebates)
The 26% federal solar tax credit explained
If you have a federal income tax liability, 26% of the cost of your solar system can be claimed as a deduction to your taxes. This incentive is claimed when you do your taxes. In order to receive the tax credit quicker it's best to do your taxes as soon as possible after installation.
What if my tax liability is less than 26% of my systems costThere is the option to claim this incentive over several years if your tax liability is less than 26% of the system cost.
How much will solar panels on my home save me?
The answer to this question depends on your electricity usage. Generally speaking the greater your power usage the greater the potential savings from installing solar.
The average monthly usage in Montana is only 733kWh per month however, you are most likely using a lot more than this since this average includes condos and small apartments.
The Helena solar panel savings calculator below will convert your monthly power spend into power usage (in kWh's) and then work out exactly how many solar panels you need to offset your usage, how much they will cost based on the prices of local solar companies and the amount you will save. Our Montana solar savings calculator can do this because it contains a database of the electric rates charged by NorthWestern Energy LLC, Sun River Electric Coop Inc, Vigilante Electric Coop Inc
How much can solar panels save you in Helena
What does the cost of a real solar system look like?
Facts about installing a 5.56kW solar system in Helena, MT
This system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $86, however your situation may vary so try our Helena solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
$10,697
Net cost of system
8 Years 8 Months
Average payback time
7,216 kWh
Annual power production
6¢/kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
25¢/kWh
If you don't get solar
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 5.56kW system
Life-time savings on this system over the next 25 years
$30,443
(Prices shown after repayments of capital)
2
Solar companies in Helena, MT that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Helena
| System Size |
Cash purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,016 | $6,497 |
| 4kw | $7,903 | $8,535 |
| 5kw | $9,694 | $10,470 |
| 6kw | $11,455 | $12,372 |
| 7kw | $13,105 | $14,154 |
| 8kw | $14,741 | $15,920 |
| 9kw | $16,250 | $17,550 |
| 10kw | $17,760 | $19,181 |
Find out what system size you need for your home
Going solar in Montana
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Montana can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
| Residential Alternative Energy System Tax Credit | State | Personal Tax Credit |
| Renewable Energy Systems Exemption | State | Property Tax Incentive |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.
