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Solar Payback Years

All states

Solar payback in Idaho

A 7.7 kW home solar system in Idaho pays for itself in about 19.8 years at 2026 prices, with no federal tax credit. That ranks #46 of 51 states, where 1 is the fastest.

Installed price
$3.60/W
national median, 2025
Solar output
1,456 kWh
per kW a year, Boise weather
Electricity rate
13.73¢/kWh
average home rate, EIA
Value of a solar kWh
12.5¢
reduced credit for exports

Pays back in year 20

Cost up front
$27,720
Saved per year
$1,401
Ahead after 25 years
$7,299

Payback by quoted price and roof direction

Find your installer's price per watt (total price divided by system watts) to read your payback in Idaho. Nationally, cash buyers paid a median of $3.00 per watt in 2025 and loan buyers $4.50, because loan fees are often built into the price. East and west roofs make 15% and 16% less power than south here.

Price per watt7.7 kW costsSouth roofEast roofWest roof
$2.50 $19,250 13.7 years16.2 years16.3 years
$3.00 $23,100 16.5 years19.4 years19.5 years
$3.60 (national median) $27,720 19.8 years23.3 years23.4 years
$4.00 $30,800 22.0 years25.9 years26.0 years
$4.50 $34,650 24.7 years29.1 years29.3 years

System size barely changes payback here: a bigger system costs more and saves more in about the same proportion.

Questions about solar in Idaho

How does Idaho pay for solar power I send to the grid?

Idaho Power customers earn about 85% of the retail rate for exports after a 2023 commission decision. We assume you use 40% of your solar power at home, which makes the average solar kWh worth 12.5¢. This summary comes from secondary sources, so confirm it with your utility. Source.

How much did the end of the federal tax credit change payback in Idaho?

With the 30% credit that ended in 2025, the same system would have paid back in about 13.9 years instead of 19.8. The credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Leased systems and power purchase agreements can still pass on a business credit, but then you do not own the panels.

Is 1,456 kWh per kW a lot?

The range across states runs from about 922 kWh in Alaska to about 1,779 in the Southwest. Sunshine matters less than people expect: the electricity rate and how your utility credits exports move payback more.

States near Idaho in the ranking