Solar Panel Cost & Payback in Idaho
Home solar in Idaho pays back in a median 23.9 years across the 24 places we cover, at an average electricity price of 13.0¢/kWh and about $3.60 per watt installed. Power sent back to the grid earns only about 5.0¢/kWh (Idaho Power export credit rate), which lengthens payback. Jerome has the fastest payback (23.0 years).
Solar estimates for Idaho cities and towns
Sorted by fastest payback. Each figure is for a system sized to an average Idaho home (944 kWh/month).
| Place | kWh per kW | System | Cost | Payback | 25-yr savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerome | 1,525 | 7.6 kW | $27,360 | 23.0 yrs | $2,973 |
| Twin Falls | 1,521 | 7.6 kW | $27,360 | 23.1 yrs | $2,894 |
| Burley | 1,520 | 7.6 kW | $27,360 | 23.1 yrs | $2,874 |
| Mountain Home | 1,519 | 7.6 kW | $27,360 | 23.1 yrs | $2,854 |
| Meridian | 1,490 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.5 yrs | $2,397 |
| Kuna | 1,481 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.6 yrs | $2,208 |
| Pocatello | 1,472 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.7 yrs | $2,020 |
| Blackfoot | 1,470 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.7 yrs | $1,978 |
| Boise | 1,468 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.7 yrs | $1,936 |
| Garden City | 1,468 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.7 yrs | $1,936 |
| Chubbuck | 1,463 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.8 yrs | $1,831 |
| Idaho Falls | 1,460 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.8 yrs | $1,769 |
| Eagle | 1,453 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.9 yrs | $1,622 |
| Nampa | 1,452 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 23.9 yrs | $1,601 |
| Ammon | 1,445 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 24.0 yrs | $1,455 |
| Caldwell | 1,429 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 24.3 yrs | $1,120 |
| Rexburg | 1,425 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 24.3 yrs | $1,036 |
| Coeur d'Alene | 1,183 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$4,837 |
| Lewiston | 1,266 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$2,637 |
| Lewiston Orchards | 1,286 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$2,156 |
| Post Falls | 1,204 | 9.6 kW | $34,560 | 25+ yrs | −$4,310 |
| Moscow | 1,265 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 25+ yrs | −$2,661 |
| Conda | 1,368 | 8.4 kW | $30,240 | 25+ yrs | −$165 |
| Hayden | 1,163 | 10.0 kW | $36,000 | 25+ yrs | −$5,562 |