In short: In Gillette and Sheridan, utilities averaged about 11.7¢ to 12.6¢ per kWh in 2024. Reliability depends on your utility: Montana-Dakota Utilities customers averaged 107 outage minutes, while Powder River Energy members averaged 496 including major storms, the highest in EIA’s Wyoming data. Rural homes there should plan real backup.
Below: the area’s four utilities and what each means for solar, batteries and backup, plus permits in Gillette. Statewide rules (net metering up to 25 kW, licensing, small wind) are on our Wyoming energy guide.
Northeast Wyoming at a glance
- Utilities (EIA, 2024): Campbell County (Gillette): the City of Gillette’s own electric utility, Powder River Energy Corporation (PRECorp, a cooperative) and Black Hills Power. Sheridan County: Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU), Powder River Energy and two Big Horn co-ops. Your bill tells you which is yours.
- Price, 2024 average: City of Gillette about 12.6¢ per kWh; PRECorp 11.7¢; MDU (Wyoming) 11.8¢; Black Hills Power (Wyoming) 13.1¢ (EIA-861, revenue divided by sales).
- Outages, 2024 (minutes per customer, with / without major events): PRECorp 496 / 295, with almost three interruptions per member; MDU (Wyoming) 107 / 107. The City of Gillette did not report a comparable figure (EIA-861).
- Sun: about 4.29 kWh per square meter per day in both Gillette and Sheridan (NASA POWER, 2001–2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,250 kWh a year per kW of panels.
- Top hazards: FEMA’s National Risk Index (December 2025) rates Campbell County “relatively high” for hail and winter weather, and Sheridan County “relatively high” for winter weather; wildfire and cold waves are “relatively moderate” in both.
- Public charging: 22 public ports at 5 locations in Gillette and 10 at 5 in Sheridan (AFDC, October 2026).
Your utility and what it means
Wyoming’s net metering law covers systems up to 25 kW (see the state page). Beyond that, each utility differs:
- City of Gillette: a city-owned utility whose Electrical Services Division maintains the local lines and the 69 kV transmission line that brings in the power the city buys wholesale. EIA counted 24 net-metered home solar systems in 2024. Ask the city’s utilities office for its net metering terms.
- Powder River Energy (PRECorp): a member-owned co-op with 113 member home solar systems in 2024. In April 2026 it announced the LaBelle Prairie project near Moorcroft: a 5 MW battery storing 21.6 MWh, plus solar, meant to cut wholesale power costs by up to $1 million a year and add backup capacity during outages. PRECorp also offers a time-of-use rate; ask about its terms and its net metering rules.
- Montana-Dakota Utilities (Sheridan): in Wyoming, MDU says its solar customers use net metering: excess kilowatt-hours are credited to the next bill and carried until used or until the end of a 12-month period. EIA counted 169 home solar systems and 23 solar-paired batteries on MDU’s Wyoming lines.
- Black Hills Power: serves part of Campbell County. Black Hills Energy’s 2026 Ready EV home charger rebate form covers Wyoming customers; ask whether your account qualifies.
Backup power in northeast Wyoming
The numbers split by utility. In Sheridan and in town in Gillette, outages were moderate in 2024. On PRECorp’s long rural lines, members averaged 496 outage minutes, about eight hours, including major events, and nearly three interruptions each. FEMA rates both counties “relatively high” for winter weather and Campbell County for hail, and wildfire is “relatively moderate”. For ranches and rural homes with wells, stock-tank heaters and propane furnaces that need power, backup is a practical necessity.
- Generator: propane or natural gas standby, or a portable unit on a transfer switch, for long winter outages and well pumps. In fire season, set it on gravel away from dry grass. See generator installation and the generator sizing tool.
- Home battery: automatic, silent cover for frequent short interruptions; with solar it can recharge in long daytime outages. See battery installation.
- Portable power station: phones, lights and medical devices. See portable power stations.
Plan with the backup power guide and the battery backup calculator. Generators run outdoors only, at least 20 feet from the house, exhaust pointed away, never in a garage or barn, with carbon monoxide alarms inside (CPSC).
Solar in northeast Wyoming
By our rough estimate, a 6 kW system here makes about 7,520 kWh a year. Sized to your yearly use, it would be worth about $950 at the City of Gillette’s 2024 average price, about $880 on PRECorp or MDU. Credits carried month to month keep most of that value; surplus left at the end of the year earns much less, so do not oversize. Hail is rated “relatively high” in Campbell County, so check panel hail ratings and your homeowner’s insurance. These are estimates, not quotes.
Model your site with the solar potential tool and solar savings calculator, then read how solar installation works, what it costs and how net metering works. For remote shops and stock wells, see off-grid power.
Home batteries in northeast Wyoming
With net metering crediting solar well, a battery’s value here is backup, and it is worth most on PRECorp lines, where interruptions were frequent in 2024. We found no battery incentive from these utilities; Rocky Mountain Power’s program on the state page does not apply. See home batteries and battery costs.
EV charging in northeast Wyoming
By our estimate at 30 kWh per 100 miles, home charging costs about $3.80 per 100 miles on the City of Gillette’s 2024 average price and about $3.50 on PRECorp or MDU, more in deep cold. Public ports are limited, 22 in Gillette and 10 in Sheridan, so a Level 2 charger at home matters; it needs a 240-volt circuit, a licensed electrician and a permit. See EV charger installation and the EV charging cost calculator.
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Gillette: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Permits and inspections
- City of Gillette: the Building Division (City Hall, 201 E. 5th St.) uses EnerGov Self Service: register an account to apply for permits and plans, schedule inspections and pay fees (Gillette Building Division).
- Sheridan and rural areas: ask the City of Sheridan or your county about building permits; where the state has jurisdiction, wiring permits come from the State Fire Marshal’s portal (state wiring permits).
- Utility approval: your utility must approve a grid-tied system before it runs.
Check the electrician’s state license (lookup on the state page) and any HOA rules on panels and generators.
Cities we cover
- Gillette
- Sheridan
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Northeast Wyoming energy questions
Who provides electricity in Gillette?
The City of Gillette runs its own electric utility, buying power wholesale and delivering it over city lines. In Campbell County, EIA also lists Powder River Energy Corporation and Black Hills Power. Your bill shows which one serves you, and that decides your solar and program options.
Why are outages longer on Powder River Energy lines?
EIA’s 2024 data shows PRECorp members averaged 496 outage minutes including major events and 295 without, with nearly three interruptions each, the highest among Wyoming utilities in EIA’s reliability data. EIA does not give causes; members should plan backup for heat and water.
How does Montana-Dakota Utilities handle solar in Sheridan?
In Wyoming, MDU uses net metering: surplus kilowatt-hours are credited to your next bill and carried until you use them or until the end of a 12-month billing period. Size a system to your yearly use so few credits are left over.
How do I get a permit in Gillette?
Register with the City of Gillette’s EnerGov Self Service portal to apply for permits, schedule inspections and pay fees through the Building Division at City Hall. Your installer usually files, and the utility must approve the connection.
Sources
EIA-861, 2024 (price = residential revenue ÷ sales; outages; service territory; net-metered systems); City of Gillette Electrical Services and Building Division (archived 2026); Powder River Energy news release, April 20, 2026 (archived); Montana-Dakota Utilities renewable and solar energy page (archived April 2026); Black Hills Energy 2026 Ready EV form; Wyoming State Fire Marshal; NASA POWER, 2001–2020; FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025; AFDC station data; CPSC. Read October 2026 unless noted. Estimates are ours and labelled.