Is solar worth it in Wyoming?
For a typical Wyoming home in 2026, solar is a close call: about a 15-year payback and $14,072 saved over 25 years after paying for the system. Check your own home, because roofs, usage and utilities vary a lot.
- Payback, typical home
- 15 yrs5.8 kW, paying cash
- Electricity price
- 14.0¢per kWh, U.S. 18.0¢
- Solar production
- 1,518kWh per kW per year
- Exports credited at
- RetailFull retail net metering
The numbers for a typical Wyoming home
| Electricity use | 814 kWh a month (Wyoming average) |
|---|---|
| Best-value system | 5.8 kW, producing 8,802 kWh a year (90% of use) |
| Price | $18,000 at about $3.00/W |
| First-year savings | $1,233 |
| Payback | 15.0 years |
| 25-year net | $14,072 (4.7% a year return) |
| Rate increase assumed | 2.0% a year, from Wyoming's 2015–2025 history |
Paying cash, no federal credit, 5% discount rate, microinverters, $25 per kW a year for maintenance and repairs. Methodology.
Why it comes out this way
- Electricity is cheap: 14.0¢ per kWh, 22% below the U.S. average (18.0¢), so each solar kWh saves less.
- Most utilities credit exported solar at or near the retail rate, so you get full value for midday surplus.
- A typical system here produces about 1,518 kWh per kW per year (ranked #9 of 51).
- There is no federal tax credit for homeowners who buy in 2026, which adds several years to payback compared with 2025.
Net metering and export rules in Wyoming
Full retail net metering. Wyoming requires all utilities to offer net metering for systems up to 25 kW. Excess credits roll over at retail month to month, and anything left at the end of the year is paid at avoided cost.
kWh exports offset usage 1:1 at retail; annual net excess paid at avoided cost.
- Netting: monthly
- Unused credits: kWh credits carry forward; annual excess reconciled at avoided cost.
- System size limit: 25 kW
- Fixed charges: Standard customer charges.
- Last major change: Net metering law 2001; repeated repeal/reform bills failed (2023; SF 111 and HB 183 in 2025).
- Pending: Reform bills recur each session; 2026 HB 146 addressed plug-in solar (status unverified).
Read net metering explained to see why export rules can swing payback by years.
| Utility | Export credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp) - WY | ~100% of retail | Statutory net metering. |
| Black Hills Energy / Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power | ~100% of retail | Statutory net metering. |
Solar incentives in Wyoming
The federal 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. What that means.
We didn't find active statewide solar incentives in Wyoming. Check with your utility for local rebates.
What solar costs in Wyoming
A fair cash price is around $3.00 per watt before incentives. For the 5.8 kW system that fits a typical home, expect roughly $14,800 to $20,900; smaller systems cost more per watt.
How many homes have solar
- Homes with net-metered solar (2025)
- 3,547
- Share of homes
- 1.2%
- Residential solar capacity
- 25 MW
- Growth over the past year
- +14.4%
Sources: EIA-861 (2025), EIA small-scale solar estimates, LBNL Tracking the Sun and state interconnection data.
Electric utilities in Wyoming
| Utility | Homes served | Price (2026 est.) | Typical use | Typical-home verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PacifiCorp (Rocky Mountain Power / Pacific Power) | 118,517 | 14.7¢ | 816 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Cheyenne Light Fuel & Power | 44,072 | 18.1¢ | 526 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Lower Valley Energy | 23,172 | 7.4¢ | 1,858 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Powder River Energy | 15,548 | 12.8¢ | 1,155 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Montana-Dakota Utilities | 14,993 | 12.0¢ | 822 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| City of Gillette | 14,134 | 13.5¢ | 891 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| High Plains Power | 12,868 | 14.9¢ | 947 kWh/mo | Close call |
| High West Energy | 5,692 | 15.4¢ | 948 kWh/mo | Close call |
| Black Hills Power | 2,179 | 16.1¢ | 702 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| Yampa Valley Electric Association | 573 | 17.9¢ | 859 kWh/mo | Worth it |
| Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative | 347 | 11.9¢ | 1,179 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
| NorthWestern Energy | 299 | 15.4¢ | 707 kWh/mo | Not worth it |
Solar by city in Wyoming
Protect yourself when buying
- Check the license. Electrical contractor license from Wyoming Dept. of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety. Look up an installer
- Cancellation rights. Federal law gives you 3 business days to cancel most door-to-door sales over $25. How to cancel
- HOA and solar access. Solar rights statutes allow solar right permits/easements (W.S. 34-22-101 et seq.); no HOA protection.
- Community solar. No.
Questions about solar in Wyoming
Is solar worth it in Wyoming in 2026?
For a typical Wyoming home, solar is a close call. A 5.8 kW system costing about $18,000 after state incentives saves about $1,233 in the first year and pays back in about 15 years. Your result depends on your roof, usage, utility and price, so run the calculator for your address.
How much do solar panels cost in Wyoming?
A reasonable cash price is around $3.00 per watt before incentives, or roughly $14,800 to $20,900 for a 5.8 kW system.
Does Wyoming have net metering?
Wyoming requires all utilities to offer net metering for systems up to 25 kW. Excess credits roll over at retail month to month, and anything left at the end of the year is paid at avoided cost.
Is there a solar tax credit in Wyoming?
The 30% federal credit for homeowners ended for systems installed after 2025. Wyoming does not offer a state income tax credit for solar that we're aware of.
How do I check a solar installer's license in Wyoming?
Electrical contractor license from Wyoming Dept. of Fire Prevention & Electrical Safety.. Look up any installer with the state's license search at https://wsfm.wyo.gov/electrical-safety.
Policy research current as of October 2026; sources include programs.dsireusa.org, wyomingpublicmedia.org, insideclimatenews.org. Electricity data: EIA, through July 2026. Found something out of date? Tell us.