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Home solar in Idaho

Idaho Power no longer nets your exports at retail: since 2024 it pays an export credit of about 15.68 cents/kWh on summer peak hours but only about 2.9-3.4 cents at other times, and those rates are frozen until the next update filed April 1, 2028.

Facts checked 2026-11-01, each with a source link below. Programs change often: confirm with your utility, installer and a tax professional before you sign.

13.4¢average home price per kWh (EIA, August 2026)
Harder case for solarCheap power (about 13 cents/kWh) and low export credits for most hours mean solar pays mainly by covering your own use. Idaho does offer an income tax deduction of up to $5,000 a year and protects HOA homeowners.

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Net metering Replaced by a lower credit

Idaho Power moved new solar customers to real-time net billing on 1-1-2024: solar you use at home saves the full retail price, and every kWh you export earns an export credit rate (ECR). Since 10-1-2025 the ECR is about 15.68 cents/kWh for summer on-peak, 3.39 cents summer off-peak and 2.90 cents for all non-summer hours, held until Idaho Power's next update filing on 4-1-2028. Customers who applied by 12-20-2020 are 'legacy' and keep net metering. Rocky Mountain Power (eastern Idaho) also moved non-legacy customers to a time-based export credit averaging 4.2 cents/kWh in November 2025. Source

  • 2024-01-01: Idaho Power net billing starts
  • 2025-10-01: current Idaho Power export credit rates take effect
  • 2028-04-01: Idaho Power's next export credit update filing
  • 2028-07-01: Rocky Mountain Power's next export credit filing

Solar credits (SRECs) No market

Idaho has no SREC market for homes. Source

Rebates and incentives

Alternative energy device income tax deduction (Idaho Code 63-3022C)

Deduct 40% of cost in year 1 and 20% in each of the next 3 years; max $5,000 deduction per year

Individuals who install solar on their Idaho home (a deduction from income, not a credit)

open tax credit Source

Taxes

Property tax: None found: no property tax exemption for home solar.
Sales tax: None found: no sales tax exemption for home solar equipment. Source

Solar laws

  • HOA solar panels, Idaho Code 55-3208 (2022). An HOA may not ban rooftop solar panels. It may choose the roof location only if a south-facing spot (within 45 degrees of due south) is allowed, and may require panels to be parallel to the roofline and visible parts painted to match. Source

Community solar

No: Idaho has no community solar law or statewide program.

Timeline

  1. Alternative energy income tax deduction created
  2. Cutoff for Idaho Power 'legacy' net metering customers
  3. HOA solar protection moves into the Homeowners Association Act (55-3208)
  4. Idaho Power switches new customers to net billing with an export credit rate
  5. Idaho Power export credit rate update (with a 40% limit on the energy value cut)
  6. PUC sets Rocky Mountain Power export credit averaging 4.2 cents/kWh
  7. Federal 30% homeowner tax credit (25D) ends

Federal tax credits

The 30% federal tax credit for homeowners who buy solar (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so buying no longer earns a federal credit. If you lease or sign a power purchase agreement (PPA), the panels belong to a company that may still claim a business credit under federal deadlines that tighten through 2027. Ask your installer whether that savings is in your price.

Sources

Last checked 2026-11-01. Incentives are not guaranteed and can change or run out. Confirm every figure with your utility, installer and a tax professional before you sign. This page is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.

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