United Electric Co-op and solar
United Electric Co-op is an electric cooperative serving about 5,169 homes in Idaho. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is not worth it.
- Average price (2026 est.)
- 9.1¢28% below Idaho average
- Typical bill
- $1441,580 kWh a month
- Exports credited
- ~50%Varies by utility
- Typical payback
- 23.5 yrs6.7 kW, cash
Export rules for United Electric Co-op customers
Varies by utility (Idaho rule).
Idaho has no statewide net metering law; each utility's rules are set by the PUC. Idaho Power moved new customers to real-time net billing, paying time-varying export rates (for June 2025-May 2026 roughly 15.7 cents on summer peak but about 3 cents most of the year). Avista still offers net metering; Rocky Mountain Power's Idaho terms have been under review.
Solar for a typical United Electric Co-op home
| System | 6.7 kW (50% of 1,580 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $23,265, $13,959 after incentives |
| First-year savings | $721 |
| Payback | 23.5 years |
| 25-year net | $958 |
Uses the utility's average price.
Solar adoption
- Homes with solar (2025)
- 27
- Share of customers
- 0.5%
- Residential solar capacity
- 0 MW
- Residential customers
- 5,169
EIA-861, 2025.
Questions about United Electric Co-op and solar
Does United Electric Co-op have net metering?
United Electric Co-op follows Idaho's rules: Idaho has no statewide net metering law; each utility's rules are set by the PUC. Idaho Power moved new customers to real-time net billing, paying time-varying export rates (for June 2025-May 2026 roughly 15.7 cents on summer peak but about 3 cents most of the year). Avista still offers net metering; Rocky Mountain Power's Idaho terms have been under review.
How much does electricity cost with United Electric Co-op?
Residential customers paid an average of 8.5¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 9.1¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 1,580 kWh a month, a bill of about $144.
Is solar worth it with United Electric Co-op?
For a typical customer, solar is not worth it: a 6.7 kW system costing about $13,959 pays back in about 23.5 years, with $958 net over 25 years.
How many United Electric Co-op customers have solar?
About 27 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 0.5% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: United Electric Co-op, Inc - (ID) (EIA ID 19502). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026.