Solar in Wyoming costs about $3.31 per watt, so the typical 6.47 kW system runs about $21,416 before incentives, and no federal or state credit cuts that price. With Rocky Mountain Power at 11.515¢ per kWh, the case rests on rates rising: at 3% to 4% a year, an 8 kW system pays back in about 15 to 17 years.
Price a Wyoming system against your power bill
Wyoming quotes swing with your wind zone, your snow load and how far the installer drives. Enter your ZIP code for a cost and savings estimate built on your utility and your roof.
The form asks about your home first, then your contact details. EcoGen or its installer partners may contact you.
- Free, no-obligation quotesRequest quotes from local installers in minutes. You decide if you go ahead.
- Pre-screened installers onlyWe check every partner before they join and keep monitoring them after.
- Your details come lastFour quick questions about your home first. Name, email and phone only at the end.
11.515¢ today, 3.3% more each year: the Rocky Mountain Power bill behind Wyoming solar
Wyoming homeowners pay some of the lowest electricity rates in the country. That has kept solar off most people’s radar. But Rocky Mountain Power’s residential rates have climbed every year since 2019. With no credit to lean on, that climb is the whole case for Wyoming solar.
The filing is covered by Cowboy State Daily. Montana-Dakota Utilities requested 24.36% the year before (Wyoming PSC public notices). Solar in Wyoming comes down to one question: does locking in your power cost now justify a $24,000 to $29,000 commitment that takes about 15 to 19 years to pay back?
A rate hedge, not a quick winWyoming solar is a 25-year investment, not a 5-year win. The value is real, but it is back-loaded: the early years repay the system, the later years are where the savings build.
Rate growth sets the Wyoming payback: about 15 years, or about 19
Without a credit, the entire system cost must come back through bill savings. That is why the rate trajectory matters more in Wyoming than in any incentive-heavy state. Most Wyoming solar customers are on Rocky Mountain Power’s Schedule 2.
8 kW bought with cash on RMP Schedule 2
For the long-term return in your situation, see whether solar panels are worth it in Wyoming.
Longer than in high-rate statesIn Massachusetts or California, systems pay back in 6 to 9 years. In Wyoming, years 1 through 15 or so are repayment. The savings accumulate after that, up to year 25.
4th highest price per watt in the Index: Wyoming systems from 6 kW to 12 kW
The EcoGen Index puts Wyoming at $3.31 per watt, so the typical 6.47 kW system costs about $21,416. Wyoming marketplace quotes center on $3.33 per watt, and the size ranges below are those quote ranges. For the picture beyond Wyoming, see solar panel costs across the country.
Quote ranges from Wyoming marketplace data (May 2026), before incentives, reflecting real installer-to-installer variation. Battery figures add a 13.5 kWh system at $1,000 to $1,200 per kWh. Actual quotes vary by roof type, equipment and location within the state.
Strong sun at altitudeWyoming gets 5.5 to 5.7 peak sun hours a day (NREL PVWatts), and cold, clear air boosts panel efficiency. An 8 kW system makes about 13,200 kWh a year, more than the average home’s 10,356 kWh (EIA).
Surplus past your use is worth littleCredits left at the start of the year are bought at 1.418¢ per kWh on RMP. Size the system to your actual use, not to fill the roof.
115 to 130 mph design winds and two active installers: what lifts a Wyoming bid
Wyoming prices run higher per watt than Arizona or Texas, and above every Northeast state in the Index. The reasons are Wyoming’s geography and its small market.
+What pushes a Wyoming quote higher
- Wind-load engineeringThe biggest driver. The I-80 corridor from Cheyenne through Laramie, Rawlins and Rock Springs carries ASCE 7 design wind speeds of 115 to 130 mph, among the highest in the lower 48. Racking needs more attachment points, upgraded hardware and more labor.
- Few installersMarketplaces list only two active installers. The main local company, Creative Energies, works from Lander and Laramie. Most other quotes come from Salt Lake City or Bozeman, Montana, and travel is built into the price.
- Mountain snow loadsJackson, Pinedale and Star Valley require ground snow loads of 50 to 100+ pounds per square foot. That racking is heavier and dearer than a Cheyenne or Casper install needs.
−What pulls the price down
- Lower labor and overheadSoft costs run lower than in coastal markets.
- No sales tax on equipmentWyoming exempts solar equipment from state sales tax.
- A strong solar resourceAt 5.5 to 5.7 peak sun hours, a smaller system makes the same yearly output.
No income tax meant no state credit, and now 25D is gone too
In most states, homeowners lost one credit in 2026. Wyoming buyers lost the only one that ever existed. The incentive list is short.
The 30% federal credit is gone for systems you buyThe One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, terminated Section 25D for any system installed after December 31, 2025. Installation completion is what matters, not the contract date. The Congressional Research Service reached the same conclusion.
Active. Applied at purchase on a typical system, so your installer’s quote should already leave the tax out. Do not subtract it a second time.
Wyoming LegislatureActive and statutory. The real incentive: avoided bills on Rocky Mountain Power.
Wyoming StatutesActive through 2027. The company that owns a leased system claims it and passes some of the value to you through lower payments.
SEIAClaimed by several websites. ConsumerAffairs contradicts it, and no statute or Department of Revenue guidance confirms it. Verify with the Wyoming Department of Revenue before counting on it.
ConsumerAffairsThe legacy $3,000-cap state rebate is defunct with no administering authority. No renewable portfolio standard means no SREC income.
For eligibility details on every active program, see our guide to Wyoming solar incentives.
Full retail inside the month, 1.418¢ at the January sweep
Net metering is the single most valuable solar policy in Wyoming. The statute covers investor-owned utilities and electric cooperatives, for systems up to 25 kW, well above any residential size.
Within each billing month
Your utility nets what flows each way. Excess carries forward as a kilowatt-hour credit at the full retail rate. No check, a credit on your next bill.
At the start of each calendar year
Unused credits are bought at the utility’s filed avoided cost: 1.418¢ on RMP for fixed rooftop solar in 2026 under Schedule 37. A large surplus loses most of its value.
City utility customers are left outThe statute excludes municipalities from the “electrical company” definition. If your power comes from a municipal utility, you have no statutory net-metering right.
The policy is under pressureBills in 2024 and 2025 tried to end retail net metering for new customers by July 2025 and for existing ones by 2030 (Wyoming Outdoor Council). They failed. MDU has since filed Docket 20004-179-ET-26 to revise its tariff. Your interconnection agreement governs your terms, but no statute grandfathers them.
Cash, a loan or a 48E lease: paying for Wyoming solar with no credit of your own
The 25D termination has reshaped how Wyoming homeowners finance solar. Cash still gives the best long-term return.
Pay cash
You own the system
Upfront
$24,000 to $29,000 for 8 kW, out of pocket.
Monthly
Nothing. You keep every dollar of net-metering savings and pay no interest.
Credits
None in 2026.
Watch out for
No credit softens the upfront cost.
The strongest option if you plan to stay 15 years or more.
Solar loan
You own the system
Upfront
Low or none. Through Credit Human (referred by Creative Energies) or national platforms like GoodLeap and Mosaic.
Monthly
Higher than pre-2026 projections: no 25D lump sum to pay down the balance in year 1.
Credits
None in 2026.
Watch out for
Make sure the payment is genuinely lower than your current power bill before signing.
Ownership without the cash.
Lease
The leasing company owns the system
Upfront
$0 down.
Monthly
A monthly payment that should be lower than your utility bill from day one.
Credits
The lessor claims the Section 48E credit (30%) and passes some to you.
Watch out for
Escalators of 2.9% to 3.9% a year can erase savings against Wyoming’s low rates.
The only way to capture a federal credit in 2026, but no equity.
PPAs are legally uncertain hereWyoming is not on the list of states that have authorized residential third-party PPAs. A third party selling power to a homeowner could be classed as a “public utility” under W.S. § 37-1-101. Loans and leases are the safer options.
“$0 down” is never freeThe lessor recovers the cost through 20 to 25 years of payments. Check production claims against NREL PVWatts, and see how zero-down solar works in Wyoming.
Six Wyoming homes where the rate hedge never pays back
Solar does not make financial sense for every Wyoming home. The numbers fall apart in these cases:
- Your utility is a low-rate co-op. Wyoming has 10 rural electric cooperatives, including High West Energy, Carbon Power & Light, Wheatland REA and Bridger Valley Electric. Many charge bundled rates below 9¢ per kWh, and each sets its own net-metering terms, so get them in writing. At those rates, savings are too small to recover the cost in a reasonable time.
- You use under 500 kWh a month. Basic charges from RMP, CLFP and MDU run $20 to $33 a month and cannot be offset. Below about 6,000 kWh a year, there is not enough energy cost to work with.
- You plan to sell within five years. In a low-rate market the resale premium may not cover a remaining loan balance. The payback math needs a hold of at least 15 years.
- Your roof faces north. At Wyoming’s latitude, north-facing planes lose 30% to 45% of production. Add snow, and they rarely pay back.
- You are in the I-80 wind corridor without the engineering budget. Sites near Rawlins, Arlington and Elk Mountain need structural upgrades. If the total passes $4.00 per watt, payback runs past the useful life of the equipment.
- You are an MDU customer. Docket 20004-179-ET-26 seeks to revise MDU’s net-metering tariff. If avoided-cost crediting replaces retail, solar value for MDU customers could weaken significantly.
ASCE 7 math, a license and a service crew: five questions for a Wyoming installer
The Wyoming market is small. Fewer options means higher vetting stakes. Before signing, ask:
- Can you show ASCE 7 wind-load compliance for my county’s design speed? Any I-80 corridor install requires it. No engineering calculations, no job.
- Do you hold a license from the Wyoming Department of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety? There is no solar-specific license, but PV electrical work needs a licensed electrician. Verify it directly.
- Are you NABCEP-certified? Jackson and Teton County require it. Elsewhere it is still the strongest independent quality marker.
- What is your workmanship warranty, and who services it in five years? An installer based in Salt Lake City may not reach a remote county quickly. Ask where the nearest service crew is.
- Will you size the system to stay under 25 kW? Larger systems fall outside the net-metering statute and must use a far less favorable PURPA/QF tariff.
Compare installers in our guide to top-rated solar companies in Wyoming.
Get a Rocky Mountain Power savings estimate by ZIP
Rocky Mountain Power’s rates have climbed 3.3% a year since 2019, and the next increase is already filed. Enter your ZIP code for a cost and savings estimate based on your area, your utility and your roof.
- Quotes built for your roofEach quote is designed around your home and your bills.
- Installers we keep checkingPartners are screened before they join and monitored after.
- No cost, no pressureComparing quotes is free, and you are never obliged to sign.
Keep reading before you sign in Wyoming
Frequently asked questions
How Much Does a Solar Panel System Cost in Wyoming?
An 8 kW system, which covers the average Wyoming home, costs $24,000 to $29,000 before incentives at $3.31 per watt installed. The state sales-tax exemption saves $1,300 to $1,600, but there is no federal credit for purchased systems in 2026.
Is There a Federal Solar Tax Credit in Wyoming in 2026?
No. The Section 25D residential credit was terminated for systems installed after December 31, 2025. Wyoming has no state income tax, so no state credit exists either. The only federal credit remaining (Section 48E) is available to leasing companies, not to homeowners who buy.
How Long Does Solar Take to Pay Back in Wyoming?
For a purchased system on Rocky Mountain Power, payback runs 15 to 19 years depending on how fast electricity rates rise. At the historical 3.3% annual growth rate, payback is closer to 16 to 17 years. The value is back-loaded: years 17 to 25 are when the real savings accumulate.
Does Wyoming Have Net Metering?
Yes. Under W.S. § 37-16-101, investor-owned utilities and cooperatives must credit excess solar production at the full retail rate within each billing month. Unused credits at year-end are purchased at the utility’s avoided cost, which is much lower: about 1.4¢/kWh for a fixed rooftop solar system on RMP in 2026. Municipal utility customers are excluded.
Can I Get a Solar Lease in Wyoming?
Yes. Solar leases are legal and available through national providers. The leasing company claims the Section 48E commercial credit (30%) and passes some value to you through lower payments. Power purchase agreements are legally uncertain in Wyoming and should be approached with caution.
Are Solar Panels Worth It in Wyoming With Low Electricity Rates?
It depends on your rate, your usage, and how long you plan to stay. For RMP customers paying about 11.5¢/kWh and rising, solar is a long-term rate hedge that delivers real value over 25 years. For co-op customers below 9¢/kWh or homes using less than 500 kWh per month, the math does not work.
Do Solar Panels Work in Wyoming’s Cold Winters?
Cold temperatures improve panel efficiency. Snow is the main concern: accumulated snow blocks production until it clears. A properly pitched system with appropriate racking sheds snow quickly. Any production estimate that ignores seasonal snow cover is too optimistic.
Does Wyoming Have a Solar Property Tax Exemption?
This is disputed. Several websites claim Wyoming exempts solar from property taxes, but no primary statute or Department of Revenue guidance confirms it. Do not rely on this exemption until you have verified it directly with the Wyoming Department of Revenue.
How we calculate these costs
Headline figures use Wyoming’s entry in the EcoGen Solar Cost Index (v2 method): $3.31 per watt, 6.47 kW, $21,416. Size ranges are Wyoming-specific marketplace quotes as of May 2026, centered on $3.33 per watt with real installer-to-installer variation. Battery figures add a 13.5 kWh system at $1,000 to $1,200 per kWh. Payback is simple payback on an 8 kW system at the Index price on RMP Schedule 2 (11.515¢ per kWh, $24.24 monthly basic charge), offsetting 10,356 kWh a year with surplus bought at the 1.418¢ Schedule 37 avoided cost, at 2% to 4% yearly rate growth, with no federal credit and no panel degradation.
Sources (21)
- EIA, Wyoming Residential Electricity Price (Table 5.A): eia.gov
- EIA, Historical Residential Electricity Prices: eia.gov
- Rocky Mountain Power, Wyoming Price Summary (Schedule 2)
- Rocky Mountain Power, Schedule 37 Avoided Cost Purchases
- Cowboy State Daily, Rocky Mountain Power 8.8% Rate Hike Request: cowboystatedaily.com
- Wyoming PSC, Public Notices (Rate Cases and Dockets): psc.wyo.gov
- IRS, FAQs on Section 25D Termination (OBBB): irs.gov
- Congressional Research Service, IN12611 (Section 25D Analysis): congress.gov
- SEIA, Clean Energy Provisions, One Big Beautiful Bill: seia.org
- SEIA, OBBB Fact Sheet: seia.org
- Wyoming Statutes, W.S. § 37-16-101 through 104 (Net Metering): law.justia.com
- Wyoming Outdoor Council, Net Metering Fact Sheet: wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org
- NREL PVWatts Calculator: pvwatts.nlr.gov
- Marketplace quote series (a national residential solar quote marketplace), Wyoming Solar Panel Cost Data
- National residential solar quote marketplace, Wyoming Solar Companies
- Modeled price series (a national solar review site) and EcoWatch, Wyoming Solar Panel Cost
- Creative Energies Solar
- DSIRE, Third-Party PPA State Authorization Map: ncsolarcen-prod.s3.amazonaws.com
- ConsumerAffairs, Wyoming Solar Incentives: consumeraffairs.com
- Wyoming Legislature, Renewable Equipment Sales Tax Exemption: wyoleg.gov
- Town of Jackson, Contractor Licensing (NABCEP Requirement): jacksonwy.gov
