Montana Solar Panel Permits & Incentives Guide

TL;DR: Your Montana Solar Journey at a Glance

Installing solar panels in Montana involves local permitting, state tax incentives, state loan programs, and federal tax credits. To maximize your returns, you need to engage with all four.

Key actions:

• Get permits from your city or county building department, not a state agency.
• Apply for Montana's property tax exemption within the first year after installation. Use Form AB-14 from the Montana Department of Revenue.
• Check your eligibility for the Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP) through the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
• Claim the 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (IRS §25D) on your federal tax return for the year you place the system in service.

Montana's median home listing price is $624,900 (FRED, MEDLISPRIMT, March 2026). Solar adds value to your home. The property tax exemption shields this added value from taxation for ten years.

Navigating Solar Panel Permit Requirements in Montana

Montana does not issue state-level solar permits. Permits come from the city or county where your property is located. The Montana Building Codes Bureau, part of the Department of Labor and Industry, adopts model building codes. However, local jurisdictions manage the permit application, fees, inspection, and approval processes.

What Permits You Typically Need

Most residential solar installations in Montana require at least two permits:

| Permit Type | Who Issues It | What It Covers |