Net Metering in Idaho (2026)
Idaho uses No statewide net metering. Idaho has no statewide net-metering mandate; Idaho Power shifted to a lower net-billing export credit rate, so terms depend on your utility.
| Policy type | No statewide net metering |
|---|---|
| Export compensation | No statewide requirement — depends on your utility |
| Retail electricity rate | ~13¢/kWh |
| Est. annual production per kW | ~1,400 kWh/kW/yr |
Policy status reflects the statewide standard as of 2026. Actual export rates and program caps vary by utility — confirm with your provider.
What this means for your payback
With no statewide net-metering guarantee in Idaho, the value of exported solar depends entirely on your utility or retail provider, and many credit exports well below the ~13¢/kWh retail rate. That tilts the math toward sizing your system to your daytime usage and adding a battery so you store cheap self-generated power instead of exporting it for little.
2026 reality check: the 30% federal tax credit for purchased home solar ended Dec 31, 2025. With that gone, net metering policy and any Idaho state incentives are now the main levers on your solar ROI. Run the numbers on your actual utility bill before signing anything.
See full solar costs & payback for Idaho
Solar panel cost in Idaho →Idaho net metering FAQ
Does Idaho have net metering?
Not as a statewide guarantee. Idaho has no mandated net-metering program, so whether (and how much) you're paid for exports is set by your utility or retail electricity provider.
What is Idaho's solar export rate?
Below retail. Idaho has no statewide net-metering mandate; Idaho Power shifted to a lower net-billing export credit rate, so terms depend on your utility. As a rule, plan your system around using power on-site rather than banking exports at 13¢/kWh.
Do I need a battery to make solar worth it in Idaho?
A battery helps a lot here. Because Idaho pays less than retail for exports, storing midday solar and using it at night captures far more value than exporting it, shortening payback.
Is solar still worth it in Idaho now that the federal tax credit is gone?
Often, yes. The 30% federal credit for purchased systems ended Dec 31, 2025, so Idaho's no statewide net metering plus any state incentives are now the main drivers of payback. At ~13¢/kWh and about 1,400 kWh produced per kW each year, run the numbers on your own bill before deciding.