Federal solar credit ended Dec 31, 2025
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Net metering · Idaho

Idaho Net Metering and Solar Export Credits

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Updated Data verified Nov 5, 2026

Net billing (exports credited below retail). Idaho has no statewide net metering law; utilities set terms with IPUC approval. Idaho Power (the largest utility) moved new (non-legacy) rooftop solar customers to real-time net billing in IPUC Order No. 36048 (Dec 2023): exports earn a time-varying, avoided-cost-based Export Credit Rate well below retail, which IPUC Order No. 36785 froze until an April 1, 2028 update filing.

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What Idaho Power pays for exported solar

For a new rooftop system, Idaho Power credits exported energy at about 4.24¢ per kWh[1], against an average Idaho residential price of 13.02¢[2]. Every kWh you send to the grid earns this rate; power you draw is billed at retail.

Other Idaho utilities, co-ops and municipal utilities set their own rates; check your utility's current tariff.

State rules that apply

  • What the rule says: “The Company shall maintain the ECR at the rates set by this Order until it is updated based on the Company's April 1, 2028, filing, which shall be in compliance with Order No. 36048.”[3]

What it means for sizing and batteries

When exports earn much less than retail, each kWh you use at home as it is produced is worth more than one you export. Size to your daytime and evening use, shift loads (laundry, dishwasher, EV charging) to sunny hours or the plan's off-peak window, and price a battery against the gap between the retail and export rates.

The calculator uses the statewide rule until we add utility rates. See what solar costs in Idaho.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Does Idaho have net metering?

Idaho has no statewide net metering law; utilities set terms with IPUC approval. Idaho Power (the largest utility) moved new (non-legacy) rooftop solar customers to real-time net billing in IPUC Order No. 36048 (Dec 2023): exports earn a time-varying, avoided-cost-based Export Credit Rate well below retail, which IPUC Order No. 36785 froze until an April 1, 2028 update filing.

sources

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Every number on this page links to one of these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one.

  1. Idaho PUC news release, Case No. IPC-E-25-15 Order No. 36785 (Oct 2, 2025)puc.idaho.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
  2. EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B: Average price of electricity by state, year-to-date (August 2026, preliminary)eia.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026
  3. Idaho PUC Final Order No. 36785, Case IPC-E-25-15 (Sept 30, 2025)puc.idaho.gov · checked Nov 5, 2026

Tariffs last re-checked November 5, 2026.

Change log

  1. Monthly output per kW in Boise updated to [56.9, 81.0, 108.9, 152.0, 162.5, 171.2, 179.3, 169.6, 144.5, 117.5, 70.0, 54.9] kWh/kW/month (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
  2. Average solar radiation on the panels in Boise updated to 5.22 kWh/m2/day (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).
  3. Solar output per kW in Idaho (PVWatts, Boise) updated to 1468.3 kWh/kW/yr (NREL/NLR PVWatts v8 (1 kW-DC, fixed roof mount, 20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses, TMY weather)).