Solar power in Idaho


Solar power in Idaho comprised 478 MW in 2018. Rooftops can provide 26.4% of all electricity used in Idaho from 4,700 MW of solar panels. The low average cost of hydro-electricity makes Idaho one of the last states in the country to reach grid parity. However, in January 2015, there were 461 MW of solar power contracted to be built in Idaho which would give the state more solar capacity per capita than any other state.
Net metering is limited to 25 kW for residential users, and 100 kW for commercial users, other than for Avista Utilities customers, where the limit for all users is 100 kW.
The City of Boise is planning on building a 20 MW solar plant near the Boise Airport, at a cost of $45 million. A 20 MW solar power plant, Grand View Solar One, in Grand View, Idaho was planned but was not built. Construction of Grand View Solar One was expected to be completed by January 12, 2013. Grand View Solar Two at 108 MW was completed by September 2016.
In 2019, Idaho Power contracted a Power Purchase Agreement for a 120 MW solar power station in 2022 at 2.175¢/kWh.

Statistics