Solar Panel Cost & Payback in Montana
Home solar in Montana pays back in a median 16.8 years across the 20 places we cover, at an average electricity price of 14.0¢/kWh and about $3.60 per watt installed. Sidney has the fastest payback (16.1 years).
Solar estimates for Montana cities and towns
Sorted by fastest payback. Each figure is for a system sized to an average Montana home (852 kWh/month).
| Place | kWh per kW | System | Cost | Payback | 25-yr savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney | 1,376 | 7.6 kW | $27,360 | 16.1 yrs | $19,292 |
| Miles City | 1,356 | 7.6 kW | $27,360 | 16.3 yrs | $18,614 |
| Lockwood | 1,345 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.4 yrs | $19,201 |
| Billings | 1,344 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.4 yrs | $19,166 |
| Laurel | 1,340 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.5 yrs | $19,023 |
| Great Falls | 1,334 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.5 yrs | $18,809 |
| Helena Valley Southeast | 1,331 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.6 yrs | $18,702 |
| Helena | 1,328 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.6 yrs | $18,595 |
| Helena Valley West Central | 1,325 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.6 yrs | $18,488 |
| Anaconda | 1,314 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.7 yrs | $18,095 |
| Butte | 1,310 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.8 yrs | $17,952 |
| Belgrade | 1,310 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.8 yrs | $17,952 |
| Havre | 1,302 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.9 yrs | $17,667 |
| Livingston | 1,297 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 16.9 yrs | $17,488 |
| Lewistown | 1,290 | 8.0 kW | $28,800 | 17.0 yrs | $17,239 |
| Bozeman | 1,243 | 8.4 kW | $30,240 | 17.6 yrs | $16,339 |
| Missoula | 1,189 | 8.8 kW | $31,680 | 18.2 yrs | $14,997 |
| Kalispell | 1,176 | 8.8 kW | $31,680 | 18.4 yrs | $14,487 |
| Evergreen | 1,155 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 18.7 yrs | $14,284 |
| Whitefish | 1,139 | 9.2 kW | $33,120 | 18.9 yrs | $13,627 |