Montana Solar
Montana is a great place to switch to solar power. Montana has enough long sunny days in the summer to make up for the cloudy days in the winter, as well as many rebates and incentives available to homeowners looking to go solar. As the cost of petroleum prices keeps going up, utility companies in Montana and across the US have to raise their rates in order to compensate. By using solar energy you could replace your rising utility bill with a consistent monthly solar payment that will never go up. The reliability of solar has also never been better, and there are even 25+ year warranties available so that you don’t have to worry about your system longevity.
Sunshine in Montana
The state of Montana has an average of 176 days of sunshine every year. The capital of Helena usually has an average of 186 days each year, while Billings, a city in southern Montana, receives 201 days of direct sunlight. Although Montana does not have the most amount of sunny days, their solar resource is 26% above the national average. This is great news for homeowners in Montana looking to go solar, since the amount of power your system can produce directly affects whether or not you can eliminate your utility bill. The blue skies and sunshine in Montana make it a perfect generator for your renewable solar energy!
Trees and Shading in Montana
Forested areas make up about 25% of Montana’s landmass, so depending on where you live there might be a lot of trees by your home. Trees can have a big effect on a home’s suitability for solar panels. If there are tall trees and large branches close to your roof, it could limit the amount of sunlight hitting the panels. Because Montana has a lot of forested areas, it’s important to assess the trees on your property and especially those immediately surrounding your home. Montana has one of the highest numbers of standing dead trees in the U.S. with a little over a billion, which could make the trimming process easier. In many cases, homeowners are able to trim their trees so they can benefit fully from their solar energy system. Every home in Montana is different! To get a final determination to see if your home is a good fit for solar power, contact one of our Solar Experts for a free consultation today!
Montana Net Metering & Power Credits
Montana power companies such as NorthWestern Energy have a system in place called Net Metering which makes home solar affordable and easy. This program allows you to save money on your power by balancing out the power that your solar system produces throughout the year.
The amount of sunlight your home collects can vary throughout the year. This means that on sunny days your system may produce too much power, and on cloudy days your system may not produce enough. Net Metering is a way for excess energy to be sent back into the grid, which counts as credits. These credits can be used on days when your system doesn’t produce enough electricity to power your home.
Another great thing about Montana is that they do not charge additional property taxes when you install a solar system that has a value of up to $20,000. This means that your home will increase in value but you may not have to pay increased taxes on your home. There are also local incentives available to homeowners depending on your county.
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Montana has some great incentives for it’s residents with its main tax credit being the Residential Alternative Energy System Tax Credit. This credit can be worth up to $1,000 off of the cost of your solar system depending on how many taxpayers live in the home. As we went over earlier, Montana has a law that could potentially save you from increased property taxes when you install a solar energy system. This law could save you hundreds of dollars if you qualify. The state’s net metering program offers a great incentive for homeowners, since it allows them to roll over any surplus of energy from one month to the next. This can also be done annually but is less common. Northwestern Energy is also currently offering a rebate, so make sure to check with them to see if you qualify because it could save you thousands of dollars.
Mae and Lee - Virginia
Mae and Lee, a couple from VA saved $7,665 by taking advantage of the federal solar tax credit when they purchased their solar system in 2020
Cost of Solar in Montana
Solar Installation Process in Montana
The cost of a solar panel system is different for every home. There are many variables that can determine the final cost including the cost of materials, type and size of your roof, installation cost, size of your home, energy consumption, the amount of panels, and cost of permitting. Tax credits, rebates, and incentives also have an impact on the total price. The only way to know exactly how much solar will cost for your home is by getting in touch with us to have a solar expert get a consultation scheduled. Although we can’t give you a definitive price we know that local data can be helpful: According to SolarReviews, the average cost of a solar energy system in Montana as of 2021 ranges from $12,734 to $15,564 after the federal tax credit has been applied. Many customers have been able save on their electric bill each month by taking advantage of the amazing financing options currently available. If you have a credit score of 650+ and an annual income of $40,000+ then you have a great chance to qualify for solar financing in Montana. When you work with Noble Solar, we’ll include the cost of labor in our initial quote to make the breakdown as simple as possible.
The installation process for those living in Montana is the same as it would be in any other state. Many homeowners in Montana choose to stay connected to the grid when they install their solar systems so that they can benefit from the net metering program available. We recommend having your system installed in the winter or spring, because it ensures that your system will be up and ready to go by the time summer comes around.T he installation process usually takes less than a day to complete but may take longer depending on the size of your system.
Schedule your Montana Solar Power Consultation
See if solar is a good fit for you and your home by having a 5-minute phone call with one of our solar experts. We’ll ask you some basic questions about your current electricity consumption, your roof, any possible tree shading, why you’re interested in solar, and answer any questions you might have. We also access what your savings could be by going through the different incentives and rebates available to you. Next, we’ll set up an in-home or virtual (Zoom or Skype) appointment to perform a more in-depth evaluation of your home and go over equipment, costs, logistics, and next steps.
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