Solar Panels Cost $9.7k-$19k in Elmore County, ID | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Elmore County, ID in 2024?
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To go solar in Elmore County, ID in November, 2024 is around $3.49/W.
As a result of this price, we can conclude that for every 1 kW (1000 watts) your system can produce you will have to invest $3,490 to get your solar system installed. In Elmore County, after the 30% federal income tax credit, a 5 kW system will cost you $12,215. A 5kW system may not be large enough to fulfill your energy needs.
Select your county from the menu on the left to view the typical roof size and maximum solar panel capacity for homes in your area. Additionally, you can also see a breakdown of the costs, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county below.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Elmore County: $12,215US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Elmore County: 9 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Elmore County: $8,940US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Elmore County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Elmore County.
Roof size 787sq. ft.
Capacity 11kW DC
Electricity 15.3kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Elmore County, ID & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
Energy consumers in Elmore County pay an average of 109.96 per month for electricity, consuming 927 kWh on average. Petite homes, such as bungalows and apartments, are also part of the numbers cited in the former sentence.
The electricity rate per kWh in Elmore County, ID for November 2024 is on average 11.86¢.
Currently, an 8 kW solar system costs $19,544 after deducting the 30% federal income tax credit.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Elmore County
To the left side and below, you will see the cost summary for various sizes of solar panel systems set up in Elmore County. With bigger solar systems, the price increases, but so do the electricity savings and the income tax credits you can gain.
The solar panel cost calculator down and to the right analyzes costs and benefits, based on an average $109.96 electric bill in Elmore County If you want customized results, change the $109.96 to your typical electricity bill amount.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $758 a year
Est. Price
$9,772
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 6,314 kWh
Est. monthly savings $63
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.55 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 117 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,307 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $947 a year
Est. Price
$12,215
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,893 kWh
Est. monthly savings $79
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.19 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 146 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,884 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,137 a year
Est. Price
$14,658
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 9,472 kWh
Est. monthly savings $95
Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.82 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 176 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 9,461 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,326 a year
Est. Price
$17,101
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,050 kWh
Est. monthly savings $110
Full payback in 13 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.44 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 204 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,987 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,515 a year
Est. Price
$19,544
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 12,629 kWh
Est. monthly savings $110
Full payback in 15 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.44 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 204 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,987 mi less a year
Elmore County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
If you run a small business or farm in a rural area, you could receive REAP Grant support that covers 80% to 100% of your solar energy or wind turbine installation costs. To determine your eligibility, use our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
For those considering residential solar, the 30% federal income tax credit is offered to almost all homeowners, making solar power a good investment in numerous parts of the country. There are also a number of state and local efforts aimed at enhancing solar energy use.
In Idaho, 7 solar rebates and incentives are currently available from different utilities and government agencies.
Solar incentives in IDIncentive Description Value
Questar Gas - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
Value:Up to $50
Residential Questar Gas customers may be entitled to financial incentives for energy-efficient equipment or upgrades through the ThermWise program. Eligible projects will vary from time to time. Currently, HVAC and water heating/boiler systems, windows, insulation/weatherization, smart thermostats, and certain kitchen or laundry appliances may earn a rebate. To qualify, the equipment should conform to Questar's own standards and be installed by a participating program contractor. Additional information is available on the ThermSafe website.
Questar Gas - Home Builder Rebate Program
Value:Up to $50
Homebuilders in the Questar Gas service area are incentivized to follow energy-efficient building standards through the ThermSafe program. Rebates are offered for whole-house construction and specific parts and equipment. For the latter option, eligible projects will vary from time to time. Additional information and application forms are available from the ThermSafe website.
Questar Gas - Commercial Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Value:Up to $75
Commercial Questar Gas customers may be entitled to financial incentives for energy-efficient equipment or building upgrades through the ThermWise program. Eligible projects will vary from time to time. Currently, HVAC and water heating systems, insulation/weatherization, and kitchen or laundry appliances may earn a rebate. The standard rebate amount is $1/saved therm for the first year, with a hard maximum of up to half of project costs. To apply, a business should submit a proposal with quantified details of expected gas usage reduction. Only projects approved with the proposal are eligible for incentives. Additional information is available from the ThermSafe website.
Idaho Power - Net Metering
Value:Varies
Idaho Power (IDP) is one of three Idaho utilities that may sign independent net metering contracts with renewable energy customers. Eligible generation technologies for net metering include solar, wind, biomass, fuel cell, and hydroelectric. At the beginning of the contract period, IDP will install or activate a bidirectional meter tracking net excess generation (NEG) sent back to the grid. Customers will receive monthly bill credits for NEG at a fixed rate. Should generation exceed consumption for a certain billing cycle, credits roll forward through the end of the year, at which point IDP will mail the customer a check for the outstanding amount. Certain capacity ceilings apply. Additional information is available through the IDP website.
Avista Utilities - Net Metering
Value:Varies
Avista Power is one of three Idaho utilities that may sign independent net metering contracts with renewable energy customers. Eligible generation technologies for net metering include solar, wind, biomass, fuel cell, and hydroelectric. At the beginning of the contract period, Avista will install or activate a bidirectional meter tracking net excess generation (NEG) sent back to the grid. Customers will receive monthly bill credits for NEG at a fixed rate. Should generation exceed consumption for a certain billing cycle, credits roll forward through the end of the year, at which point Avista will mail the customer a check for the outstanding amount. Certain capacity ceilings apply. Additional information is available through the Avista website.
Low-Interest Energy Loan Programs
Value:Varies
Residents and businesses in Idaho may be eligible for special financing on energy efficiency improvements through the State Energy Loan Program (SELP). Projects that qualify for loans include lighting, windows, insulation/weatherization, HVAC, certain large appliances, and new renewable energy systems (solar PV, small turbines, etc.) SELP applicants are subject to standard credit checks and must provide property or equipment collateral to secure the loan. Once approved, interest rates remain at 4% for a maximum 5-year payment term. A $100 (residential) or $250 (commercial) administrative fee must be paid between project approval and the credit check. Additional information is available from the Idaho Office of Energy Resources website.
Rocky Mountain Power - Net Metering
Value:Varies
Rocky Mountain Power is one of three Idaho utilities that may sign independent net metering contracts with renewable energy customers. Eligible generation technologies for net metering include solar, wind, biomass, fuel cell, and hydroelectric. At the beginning of the contract period, RMP will install or activate a bidirectional meter tracking net excess generation (NEG) sent back to the grid. Customers will receive monthly bill credits for NEG at a fixed rate. Should generation exceed consumption for a certain billing cycle, credits roll forward through the end of the year, at which point RMP will mail the customer a check for the outstanding amount. Certain capacity ceilings apply. Additional information is available through the RMP website.
Are solar panels worth it in Elmore County, ID?
If you're planning to reside in your home past the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a smart decision in Elmore County. Having a 5 kW solar system in Elmore County, ID can potentially save you approximately $14,175.4 over a span of 20 years, with an average break even point of 9 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Elmore County, ID
In addition to missing out on the savings mentioned above, not having solar panels or an alternative backup energy source results in total reliance on your electric utility for electricity. As shown by recent news stories, complete dependence on your utility company isn't always ideal.
Lately, customers in Elmore County have experienced an average of 1.16 utility outages each year. The average length of an outage is 142.53 minutes. However, during significant events such as tornadoes, construction accidents, or grid management errors, this duration can grow considerably.
View the info below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Elmore County.
A solar panel system, with or without a backup battery, could mitigate the effects of future outages you might face.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Elmore County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Elmore County, ID?
Your Energy Needs - The cost per watt declines with larger solar panel systems, even if the upfront cost is larger. Consumers often discover that setting up a solar system that can replace their entire electric bill is useful, resulting in significant savings.
Make & Model - Just like any other product, solar panels are available in a range of makes and models. The installer’s preference for brand makes it important to select a highly rated contractor. Superior equipment generally provide an better long-term experience for the buyer.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels are generally accepted as the industry standard, and for valid reasons. They are pricier but produce more energy. Many professionals in solar installation utilize panels constructed from this material.
Your Property - Elements such as rough terrain, trees, or additional considerations might complicate the installation process. Solar installers now have the ability to use satellite images to evaluate your home and include these factors in the first cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Companies pay varying pay rates to their employees, which are then reflected in the prices consumers pay. It is frequently observed that companies with higher wages get superior reviews for their services and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - The cost of your installation will be impacted by the local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which vary depending on the area. Quality local installers will include these figures in your preliminary estimates to provide transparency.
See what solar panels cost in other Elmore County cities
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Consulting on all things solar related.
Elmore County, ID Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As recorded in November, 2024, the standard cost for solar panel installations in Elmore County, ID is $3.49/W. For a 5 kW solar panel system, the total cost in Elmore County, ID after federal tax credits is around $12,215.
Various utility providers and government organizations in Idaho are offering 7 rebates and incentives at this time. Additionally, the vast majority qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
Cash payments yield the highest savings, yet numerous financing options now available for solar panels are financially beneficial as well. Your preliminary quotes will usually include financing options available through installers.
Yes, on average, 5 kW solar panels in Elmore County, ID pay for themselves in 9 years, with homeowners saving approximately $14,175.4 on electricity over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
