Solar in Wyoming: is it worth it in 2026?
Wyoming is a slow-payback state: solar works, but it takes well over a decade to earn back what you paid. Three things decide that: electricity prices rank 37th of 51, it gets more sun than most states (8th), and exported power earns full retail credit. Of the 51 states and DC, Wyoming has the 24th-fastest payback for a typical home.
The average home here pays about $112 a month for 835 kWh. A 6 kW system sized for that home would knock about $1,230 off the first year's bills, 92% of the total.
Checked November 12, 2026
What makes solar pay off in Wyoming
- Size the system to cover your yearly use. With full net metering, power you export is worth as much as power you use, so timing matters less than in most states.
- Cheap power stretches payback. At 13.4¢ per kWh, the price you pay matters more than anything. At $3.34 per watt, the high end of what companies quote, payback for a typical system here stretches to 16 years.
- Lots of sun. Each kW of panels makes about 1,533 kWh a year here, so a smaller system covers more of your bill than in most states.
Payback by system size
An average Wyoming home uses about 10,020 kWh a year. Here's how systems sized to cover part or all of that work out, bought with cash at $2.57 per watt:
| Covers | Size | Price | Makes a year | Payback | 25-year savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54% | 3.5 kW | $8,995 | 5,366 kWh | 15 years | $11,322 |
| 76% | 5 kW | $12,850 | 7,665 kWh | 14 years | $17,298 |
| 99% | 6.5 kW | $16,705 | 9,965 kWh | 13 years | $23,275 |
| 122% | 8 kW | $20,560 | 12,264 kWh | 15 years | $24,245 |
The 6.5 kW system pays back fastest, but the 8 kW system saves the most over 25 years. Assumes exported power earns full credit, prices rise 2.5% a year and one inverter replacement.
How Wyoming credits power you send to the grid
Full credit (net metering)
1:1 retail net metering for systems up to 25 kW; repeal bills in 2025 and 2026 failed.
Before you sign in Wyoming
Check the license. Wyoming has no statewide general contractor license; electricians are licensed by the State Fire Marshal's office, and cities and counties license contractors.
Wyoming has no solar-specific sales law that we know of, so its general consumer protection law applies.
In every state, the FTC Cooling-Off Rule lets you cancel a contract signed at your home until midnight of the third business day.
How to choose a solar company · Contract checklist · Before you sign
Wyoming compared with its neighbors
| State | Electricity | kWh per kW | Typical payback | Exported power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 13.4¢ | 1,533 | 14 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Montana | 13.0¢ | 1,344 | 15 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| South Dakota | 13.3¢ | 1,409 | 23 years | No statewide rule |
| Nebraska | 12.1¢ | 1,423 | 17 years | Monthly netting |
| Colorado | 15.7¢ | 1,595 | 10 years | Full credit (net metering) |
| Utah | 13.0¢ | 1,484 | 22 years | Reduced credit (net billing) |
| Idaho | 11.8¢ | 1,468 | 24 years | Reduced credit (net billing) |
Questions about solar in Wyoming
How long does solar take to pay for itself in Wyoming?
About 14 years for a typical 6 kW system bought with cash at the 2026 median price of $2.57 per watt, with no federal tax credit and one inverter replacement. A bigger or smaller system, a different price, or your own usage will change that; the table above shows other sizes.
Does Wyoming have net metering?
Yes. 1:1 retail net metering for systems up to 25 kW; repeal bills in 2025 and 2026 failed.
Is there a solar tax credit in Wyoming in 2026?
Not from the federal government for buyers: the 30% homeowner credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. For a typical 6 kW system in Wyoming, that credit was worth about $4,626 and brought payback down to 9 years, instead of 14 years now. Leasing companies can still claim a business credit, so ask for a lease or PPA price too. Your state energy office lists any state rebates.
Is a solar battery worth it in Wyoming?
Not for savings. Wyoming credits exported power at the full retail rate, and storing power in a battery loses about 10% of it, so a battery saves nothing on the bill. It can still be worth it for backup during outages: a 13.5 kWh battery costs about $15,650 installed in 2026.
Is plug-in solar legal in Wyoming?
There's no plug-in solar law yet in Wyoming, so your utility may treat a kit like any rooftop system.
How do I check a solar company's license in Wyoming?
Wyoming has no statewide general contractor license; electricians are licensed by the State Fire Marshal's office, and cities and counties license contractors.
More guides: What changed for solar in 2026 · Lease or buy? · Plug-in solar · Is my solar system working?
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), final 2025 data: Annual State Historical Spreadsheets (Form EIA-861, released October 7, 2026) and Electric Power Annual (October 21, 2026); NREL PVWatts (National Solar Radiation Database), statewide averages; Solar Energy Nerds: net metering by state, 2026; EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.