Solar with Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative

At a glance

Residential schedule effective January 1, 2026; checked November 1, 2026. Sources.

What this means for solar

• Excess power is banked as kWh at the full retail rate and drawn down in later months. The bank resets in April, and anything left is forfeited to the utility.
• Net-metered accounts pay a $2.00 per kW demand charge (highest 15-minute demand of the billing period) that standard accounts do not; our estimates subtract it from savings.
• Systems up to 10 kW AC qualify for net metering; above that, capacity would run without export credit.
• There is a $500 interconnection fee.

Questions members ask

Does Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative pay for excess solar power?

Excess power is banked as kWh at the full retail rate and drawn down in later months. The bank resets in April, and anything left is forfeited to the utility.

How big a solar system can I net-meter with Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative?

Systems up to 10 kW AC qualify for net metering. The interconnection fee is $500.

Does solar reduce the Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative demand charge?

Net-metered accounts pay a $2.00 per kW demand charge (highest 15-minute demand of the billing period) that standard accounts do not; our estimates subtract it from savings.

What would solar cost and save for a typical Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative home?

For a gas-heated home using about 900 kWh a month, a net-zero system is about 8.3 kW, costs roughly $20,737 to $25,345 installed, saves $1,087 to $1,236 in the first year, and pays back in 14.4 to 19 years at 2.7% a year rate growth. Your address gives a real figure in about a minute.

What federal incentives apply in 2026?

The 30% homeowner credit (Section 25D) ended for systems completed after December 31, 2025. Business-owned systems, including ranches, farms and rental property, still qualify for the 30% investment credit (Section 48E) and bonus depreciation when placed in service by the end of 2027; tax-exempt owners receive the 30% as a cash payment. Not tax advice.

Where do these numbers come from?

The rate figures are read from Yellowstone Valley Electric Cooperative's own published schedule and net-metering policy (linked under Sources), last checked November 1, 2026. The worked example runs the same engine as the estimator, using a production reference for Billings and Montana installed-cost data. If you spot an error, email us and we will correct it.

Service area

Other Montana co-ops: Flathead Electric Cooperative, Missoula Electric Cooperative, Park Electric Cooperative, Ravalli Electric Cooperative, Fergus Electric Cooperative, Beartooth Electric Cooperative. All 26 utilities.