In short: Laramie has some of Wyoming’s best sun, about 1,340 kWh a year per kW of panels by our estimate, and Rocky Mountain Power averaged about 13.4¢ per kWh in 2024 with about 92 outage minutes per customer. The city is a SolSmart Silver community with a clear solar permit checklist, and lightning and winter weather are its top hazards.
Below: what Rocky Mountain Power means for solar and backup, what Laramie’s high-altitude sun is worth, the city’s solar permit requirements and solar access rights. Statewide rules (net metering up to 25 kW, Rocky Mountain Power’s battery incentive, licensing) are on our Wyoming energy guide.
Laramie at a glance
- Utilities: Rocky Mountain Power (PacifiCorp) serves Laramie. In Albany County, EIA also lists Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power, Carbon Power & Light, Wheatland Rural Electric and High West Energy. Check your bill.
- Price, 2024 average: Rocky Mountain Power (Wyoming) about 13.4¢ per kWh; High West Energy about 14.4¢ (EIA-861, revenue divided by sales).
- Outages, 2024: Rocky Mountain Power (Wyoming) about 92 minutes per customer, with or without major events, and fewer than one interruption a year (EIA-861).
- Sun: about 4.58 kWh per square meter per day, from 2.0 in December to 6.9 in July (NASA POWER, 2001–2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,340 kWh a year per kW of panels.
- Top hazards: FEMA’s National Risk Index (December 2025) rates Albany County “relatively high” for lightning and winter weather, and “relatively moderate” for cold waves.
- Public charging: 22 public ports at 9 locations in Laramie (AFDC, October 2026).
Your utility and what it means
Rocky Mountain Power customers get Wyoming’s net metering law (surplus carried month to month at retail, year-end balance at avoided cost, systems up to 25 kW) and two programs explained on the state page:
- Wattsmart Battery: an enrollment payment plus yearly bill credits for a home battery that Rocky Mountain Power can draw on during grid events; amounts are on the state page and the program page.
- Public Safety Power Shutoffs: Rocky Mountain Power says it can now call a shutoff wherever extreme wildfire conditions make it necessary across its service area, rather than only in pre-mapped zones, and that this does not make one more likely in any particular place (Rocky Mountain Power).
We found no Rocky Mountain Power home EV charger rebate in Wyoming; its EV page points Wyoming customers to state incentives. Customers of the co-ops in the county, such as High West Energy or Carbon Power & Light, should ask their own utility about net metering and programs.
Backup power in Laramie
At over 7,000 feet, Laramie’s winters are long, and FEMA rates Albany County “relatively high” for winter weather and lightning. Ordinary outages were modest in 2024, but a winter storm outage threatens heat and pipes, and homes outside town, often on wells, can wait longer for repairs.
- Home battery: automatic backup for the furnace blower, fridge, lights and internet, and eligible for Rocky Mountain Power’s Wattsmart Battery payments. Ask how much charge is held back for outages. See battery installation.
- Generator: for multi-day winter outages and well pumps. At altitude, a generator delivers less than its sea-level rating, so size with margin. See generator installation and the generator sizing tool.
- Portable power station: phones, laptops and a CPAP. See portable power stations.
Compare options in 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, with carbon monoxide alarms inside (CPSC).
Solar in Laramie
By our rough estimate, a 6 kW system in Laramie makes about 8,030 kWh a year, worth about $1,080 at Rocky Mountain Power’s 2024 average price if it is sized to your yearly use, because monthly surplus carries forward at retail. Year-end surplus is paid only at avoided cost, so oversizing does not pay. These are estimates, not quotes.
The city’s own solar page adds local advice: Laramie is above the national average for sunny days, the ideal panel angle is about 41° facing south, and wind and snow loads may mean a lower tilt that trims output. Solar is allowed as an accessory use in every residential and non-residential zone, subject to height and setback rules. Check your roof with the solar potential tool and solar savings calculator, then read how solar installation works, what it costs and how net metering works.
Home batteries in Laramie
Retail net metering means a battery saves little on the bill here, but Rocky Mountain Power’s Wattsmart Battery payments change the math for its customers, in exchange for letting the utility use the battery during grid events. Laramie’s city permit rules cover energy storage systems too. See home batteries and battery costs.
EV charging in Laramie
By our estimate at 30 kWh per 100 miles, home charging on Rocky Mountain Power costs about $4.00 per 100 miles at the 2024 average price, more in winter, when cold and wind raise use. Laramie has 22 public ports. A Level 2 charger needs a 240-volt circuit, a city electrical permit and a Laramie-licensed contractor. See EV charger installation and the EV charging cost calculator.
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Laramie: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
Permits and inspections
The City of Laramie’s Code Administration Division handles solar and battery permits. According to the city’s solar page:
- Solar or energy storage needs building and/or electrical permits. Submit site plans, structural plans (generally from a Wyoming registered professional engineer), a one-line electrical drawing, equipment specifications and manuals, and a signed copy of your net metering agreement.
- All work in city limits must be done by a City of Laramie licensed contractor. Allow 2–3 weeks for plan review.
- A final inspection is required before the system is energized.
- Solar access permits protect your panels’ sun from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. under Wyoming’s solar rights law, everywhere except the Downtown Commercial district.
Contact Code Administration at 307-721-5271 or see the city’s Solar Laramie page and Informational Bulletin #23. Outside city limits, ask Albany County. HOA rules on roof equipment and generators may also apply.
Cities we cover
- Laramie
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Laramie energy questions
What do I need for a solar permit in Laramie?
Building and/or electrical permit applications to Code Administration with site and structural plans, a one-line electrical drawing, equipment specifications and a signed net metering agreement. A City of Laramie licensed contractor must do the work, plan review takes about 2–3 weeks, and a final inspection comes before switching on.
Can a neighbor’s new building block my solar panels in Laramie?
You can protect your panels with a solar access permit, available everywhere except the Downtown Commercial district. Under Wyoming’s solar rights law it protects direct sun on the collector from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; priority goes by the date of the building permit application.
Is solar worth it in Laramie?
Laramie’s sun is among Wyoming’s best: by our estimate a 6 kW system makes about 8,030 kWh a year, worth about $1,080 at Rocky Mountain Power’s 2024 average price if sized to your use. Compare that with the installed price you are quoted.
Can Rocky Mountain Power shut off power in Laramie for wildfire risk?
Rocky Mountain Power says it can call a Public Safety Power Shutoff anywhere in its service area when extreme wildfire conditions make it necessary, and that this does not make one more likely in any given place. Keep your contact details current to get warnings.
Sources
EIA-861, 2024 (price = residential revenue ÷ sales; outages; service territory); Rocky Mountain Power Public Safety Power Shutoff and electric vehicle pages; City of Laramie “Solar Laramie” page (last archived version, December 2023); NASA POWER, 2001–2020; FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025; AFDC station data; CPSC. Read October 2026 unless noted. Estimates are ours and labelled.