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New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →

Montana

Not yet legal

Montana has excellent solar potential due to high elevation and clear skies, despite its northern location. The state has no dedicated solar-access law preventing HOAs from banning installations, only general anti-retroactive-restriction protections unrelated to solar specifically. NorthWestern Energy's net metering remains at retail rate under a 50kW system cap, and in 2025-2026 the Montana PSC rejected NorthWestern's push to add demand charges and a separate solar rate class, preserving favorable terms for small systems for now. No plug-in/balcony solar legislation has been introduced in Montana as of mid-2026, leaving small devices subject to standard interconnection rules.

Get notified when Montana goes legal

Laws are spreading state by state. One email when Montana passes — no spam.

What You Can Use in Montana While You Wait

Plug-in solar that ties into your home's wiring isn't legal here yet — but a portable solar generator (a panel charging a battery you plug devices into directly) never touches your home's wiring, so it's legal in Montana right now, no law required.

Budget start

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus (288Wh Battery)

0.288 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel

$299
Check price ↗
Most popular

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 (1kWh Battery)

1.07 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel

$449
Check price ↗
Whole-apartment backup

Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (2.04kWh Battery)

2.042 kWh battery · Jackery 100W panel

$749
Check price ↗

See the full solar backup guide

Runtime charts for real devices, more kit options, and setup steps.

→

Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 4.0%/yr avg — Moderate
Rates up 22% over the past 5 years
From $0.096/kWh in 2021 → $0.117/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
4.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.096
2021
$0.100
2022
$0.104
2023
$0.108
2024
$0.113
2025
$0.117
2026
20-year projected rate
$0.256/kWh
at 4.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$1,144
vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)
Best time to go solar
Now
Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

What a Montana Law Could Look Like

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Based on neighboring states

Utah (1,200W), Maine (600W), and Virginia (1,000W pending) provide the template. A Montana law would likely allow 600–1,200W systems to plug into standard household outlets — no permit required.

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High rates = strong economics

At Montana's avg. $0.117/kWh, a 600W system generating ~880 kWh/year saves roughly $103/year. Payback in as few as 8 years at current rates.

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Renters and condo owners

Plug-in solar requires no permanent installation — just an outlet. This makes it uniquely accessible to renters and condo owners who can't get rooftop solar.

FAQ

Is plug-in solar legal in Montana?
Not explicitly addressed yet. Montana has no plug-in/balcony solar-specific legislation, so small grid-tied devices would technically fall under NorthWestern Energy's standard Small Generator Interconnection process (Rules 16-23 of the Montana Electric Tariff), which wasn't designed with sub-1500W devices in mind.
Can my HOA block solar panels in Montana?
Potentially yes. Montana has no solar-access law preventing HOAs from banning solar installations; existing statutes only offer general protection against retroactive rule changes (MCA § 70-17-901), not a right to install solar over an HOA's objection.
Does NorthWestern Energy offer net metering?
Yes, NorthWestern Energy provides retail-rate net metering for systems up to 50kW, with excess generation banked and settled quarterly. In 2025-2026 the Montana PSC rejected the utility's bid to add demand charges and a separate solar rate class, keeping current terms in place for now.
What's Montana's solar potential?
Montana has surprisingly strong solar potential thanks to high elevation, clear skies, and cool temperatures that boost panel efficiency -- output can rival or exceed that of some southern states on a per-panel basis despite the shorter winter days.
Is there any plug-in solar legislation pending in Montana?
No Montana-specific plug-in or balcony solar bill has been introduced as of mid-2026. Montana is among the states where standard interconnection rules still technically apply to small grid-tied devices, with no organized state-level push yet identified.

Stay in the Loop

We monitor all 50 state legislatures. The moment Montana files a plug-in solar bill, you'll be the first to know.

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.