Montana

MT
Unclear
Current Status
Last verified: March 2026

Montana Solar Data

Avg. Electricity Rate12.1¢/kWh
TOU Peak Spread
3¢/kWh
Est. Annual Savings
~$135/yr
Last UpdatedMarch 2026
Calculate MT Savings
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Montana Legislation Alert

Be the first to know when Montana's plug-in solar bill advances, passes, or is signed into law.

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What This Means for You

What You Can Do

No specific plug-in solar law. Traditional rooftop solar available. NorthWestern Energy offers net metering.

Current Limitations

Utilities require interconnection agreements for grid-tied systems.

What "Unclear" Means for You

Montana has no explicit law permitting or prohibiting plug-in solar devices. No legislation has been introduced yet. Plug-in solar occupies a regulatory gray area.

What you can do right now:

1.Check your lease or HOA rules for any restrictions on balcony or patio equipment.
2.Use our Readiness Checker to see if your space qualifies for plug-in solar.
3.Write your landlord using our Landlord Letter Generator to request permission.
4.Contact your state representative to advocate for plug-in solar legislation.
5.Subscribe to alerts above to get notified when the law changes.
Take the Readiness QuizGenerate Landlord Letter

Montana State Overview

Key data on solar potential, demographics, utilities, and incentives.

Solar Resource
Peak Sun Hours4.68 hrs/day
Optimal Tilt20°
Best Facing180 degrees (Due South)
Est. Annual Output (800W)1,079 kWh/yr
Best MonthsApril–September

The PVWatts energy estimate is based on an hourly performance simulation using a typical-year weather file that represents a multi-year historical period for Helena, MT for a Fixed (open rack) photovoltaic system.

Major Utilities
NorthWestern Energy
~380000 customers
Net metering
Montana-Dakota Utilities
~40000 customers
Net metering
Montana Electric Cooperatives
~150000 customers
Net metering

Population
1,137,233
Total Households
462,887
Owner-Occupied
320,318
Renter-Occupied
142,569
Single-Family Homes
371,522
Apartment Units (5+)
29,199
Median Income
$70,170
Median Home Value
$375,800

31% of Montana households are renter-occupied — approximately 142,569 households that could benefit from plug-in solar without owning their home.

Montana offers a personal income tax deduction for residential solar installations (up to $500/year). Net metering available through NorthWestern Energy. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.