Is there a limit to the amount of solar panels a house can have in Billings?

As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.

How much to install solar panels in Billings?

Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $0 in Billings. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $0 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.

How much do solar panels add to house value in Billings?

Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.

What direction should solar panels face in Billings?

To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.

How many solar panel installers in Billings?

Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 10 verified solar install companies in Billings

Solar Energy in Billings

Solar Rates, Incentives, Plans & Statistics

Going solar in Billings, MT

In Billings, an average home needs a 8kW solar system in order cover most of their electricity needs. Given the average residential price-per-watt of $0 in Billings, a 8kW system can cost around $0 depending on applicable rebates and other factors.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.

Billings: $0US Average: $18,172

Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.

Billings: 0 yearsUS Average: 11 years

Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.

Billings: $26,902US Average: $14,836

Solar Potential in Billings

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
Billings.

Roof size 769sq. ft.

Capacity 10.75kW DC

Electricity 13.3kkWh AC per yr.

Go Solar for as low as $0 down and $79/mo and reduce or replace your electric bill

Compare solar panels by system size in Billings

Get the most value out of your roof by comparing the different benefits a given system size has.

System Size 4kW

Roof Size Min. space required

286 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $744 a year

Est. Price

Savings from a 4kWthis system

Est. yearly production 5,612 kWh
Est. monthly savings $62
Full payback in 0 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.93 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 180 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 9,718 mi less a year

System Size 5kW

Roof Size Min. space required

358 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $930 a year

Est. Price

Savings from a 5kWthis system

Est. yearly production 7,015 kWh
Est. monthly savings $78
Full payback in 0 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.91 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 225 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 12,147 mi less a year

System Size 6kW

Roof Size Min. space required

429 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,116 a year

Est. Price

Savings from a 6kWthis system

Est. yearly production 8,418 kWh
Est. monthly savings $93
Full payback in 0 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 5.89 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 270 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 14,577 mi less a year

System Size 7kW

Roof Size Min. space required

501 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,302 a year

Est. Price

Savings from a 7kWthis system

Est. yearly production 9,821 kWh
Est. monthly savings $109
Full payback in 0 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 6.87 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 316 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 17,006 mi less a year

System Size 8kW

Roof Size Min. space required

572 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,488 a year

Est. Price

Savings from a 8kWthis system

Est. yearly production 11,224 kWh
Est. monthly savings $112
Full payback in 0 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 7.09 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 326 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 17,549 mi less a year

Current utility bill:

Billings solar incentives, tax credit, and rebates

Billings has 8 rebates and tax credits that you may be eligable for. Visit the official links for more details to see if you apply.

Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program

Value:Varies

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality operates a revolving loan program for home and business owners making renewable energy improvements and investments. Repaid funds immediately "revolve" to support a new borrower. A maximum principal of $40,000 per loan is available at a variable interest rate (typically about 3.25%). Repayment periods can last up to ten years. Applicants will be subject to standard credit checks, site audits, and technical plan reviews. Due to a limited budget and the revolving nature of the fund, disbursement may not take place immediately upon approval. Additional information is available from the DEQ website.

Montana Solar and Wind Easements

Value:Varies

In Montana, property owners neighboring either a solar or wind energy system may voluntarily agree to easements protecting energy access. Easements are considered "attached" to the properties, but they may not add taxable value. At a minimum, easements should contain legal descriptions of the subject properties, quantitative measures of angles or affected airspace, compensation provisions, and terms and conditions which would result in the easement's modification or nullification. Easements are usually stored by local or county recorders. In some cases, they must be notarized before going into effect.

NorthWestern Energy - USB Renewable Energy Fund

Value:Varies

Rebate programs are available through NorthWestern Energy for customers making energy efficiency improvements or adopting renewable energy technology on their site. Funding for rebates comes from the state Universal System Benefits Program and is collected through a surcharge on customer bills. Available programs and offers will vary from time to time. Regular programs offer financial assistance to low-income customers and support educational initiatives on renewable energy. The E+ program supports public-sector facilities and nonprofits adopting renewable energy. Broad Benefits, a different program, incentivizes businesses to install solar photovoltaic panels. Additional information is available from the NWE website.

Net Metering

Value:Varies

Since 1999, all private utilities in Montana (such as NorthWest Energy) have been required to offer net metering contracts to their renewable energy customers. Any solar, hydroelectric, or wind system rated for under 50 kilowatts is eligible to participate. Montana takes a "right to net meter" approach. It is unlawful for a utility to force net metering applicants to comply with any interconnection standards beyond those set by the IEEE, UL, or National Electric/Electrical Safety Codes. Further, customers may choose the month that NEG transmission starts and stops. Interested customers should consult with their local utility, as not every utility offers net metering.

Universal System Benefits Program

Value:Varies

The Universal System Benefits Program (USBP) is a low-income energy assistance and renewable energy incentive program in Montana. Since 1999, it has been funded through bill surcharges collected by each utility and cooperative in the state with over 50 customers. The specific cost of the surcharge is set by the state legislature. There have been a few instances where legislators have adjusted the initiative manually; most of the time, surcharges have naturally adjusted for inflation. Additional information is available from individual utilities.

Alternative Energy Investment Tax Credit

Value:Varies

In Montana, there are corporate tax exemptions for businesses making depreciable investments of at least $5,000 in renewable energy systems and technologies. Exemptions last for seven years and can additionally apply to new construction and component manufacturing. If a renewable energy system under net metering is claimed, only NEG credits are considered exempt. Incentive extensions may apply to systems and investments on reservation land.

Property Tax Abatement for Production and Manufacturing Facilities

Value:Varies

In Montana, property owners may be eligible for tax abatements on renewable energy systems or equipment used to manufacture renewable energy components. The subject of the abatement will only be assessed at 50% of its value for up to nineteen years. To qualify, the subject of the abatement must have been built or installed after 2007 and be certified by the Department of Environmental Quality. Additional information is available from the DEQ website.

Interconnection Standards

Value:Varies

Currently, grid interconnection for renewable energy systems in Montana is not standardized on a central level. However, there is a capacity ceiling of 10 MW for systems that are eligible for interconnection. Previous standards, repealed in 2010, required renewable energy facilities to meet IEEE/NESC/UL standards and required utilities to offer net metering contracts. Systems were not divided into regulatory tiers, but there was a capacity ceiling of 50 kW for net metering. Individual utilities, such as NorthWestern Energy, may establish their own interconnection standards. As such, interested customers should consult with their local utility.

Find out who’s the best installer in other MT cities

Billings 10 Installers

Reduce or replace your electricity bill with solar

Frequently Asked Questions

As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.
Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $0 in Billings. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $0 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.
Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.
To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.
Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 10 verified solar install companies in Billings