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Top 6 Best Solar Companies in Idaho (2023 Reviews)
In this guide to Idaho’s best solar companies, you’ll learn
- What are Idaho’s best solar companies?
- How can you save money on solar panels in Idaho?
- What should Idaho residents look for in a solar installer?
What Are Idaho’s Top 6 Solar Energy Companies?
Residential solar has been slow to grow in Idaho. But in response to rising electricity rates and the availability of new incentives for homeowners that install solar panels, Idahoans are starting to keep their solar companies busy.
Our EcoWatch solar experts carefully evaluate every solar installation company we come across nationwide, including those operating in Idaho. To narrow down the top six solar installers in the state, we evaluated each company on many factors, including years in business, warranty coverage, Better Business Bureau rating, financing options, customer reviews and much more.
These are the top six solar companies in Idaho:
- SunPower: Best Overalll
- Blue Raven Solar: Best Financing Options
- Intermountain Wind & Solar: Outstanding Regional Installer
- EGT Solar: Outstanding Local Installer
- Pell Solar: Outstanding Regional Installer
- RevoluSun Idaho: Outstanding Regional Installer
SunPower
Best National Provider
Pros
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
Cons
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
SunPower is a national installer with a history dating back to 1985. It has been a leader in the U.S. solar industry since its inception, installing some of the most high-powered solar panels the industry has to offer, which allows Idaho homeowners to get more solar production from fewer hours of sunshine. This is especially important because Idaho sees 107 days of sunshine on average, far fewer than the national average 205 days.1
Unlike most solar contractors in Idaho, SunPower solar systems are installed with products from one sole manufacturer. This also means that every aspect of the system is covered by the same warranty, greatly simplifying the warranty process for customers should they need it.
SunPower outsources its installations through a massive network of vetted, third-party contractors in the Idaho area — a new strategy — handling installations in-house for Maxeon (the manufacturer of SunPower’s solar panels). For this reason, the workmanship of your installation varies a bit depending on the installer.
Facts and Figures: SunPower
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Year Founded |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
| Warranty Coverage |
| 5 |
| A+ |
| 1985 |
| $$$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, System Monitoring |
| SunPower Panels |
| 25-year all-inclusive warranty |
Blue Raven Solar
Best Solar Financing
Pros
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
Cons
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Blue Raven Solar is a solar company that installs solar in 17 states, including all of Idaho. While it’s a national company (and was acquired by solar giant SunPower in 2021) Blue Raven upholds a great reputation for individualized customer care.
While Blue Raven Solar has many great qualities, its best (in our opinion) is its unique solar financing options. Through Blue Raven’s BluePower+ program, most homeowners can get a no-money-down loan with no payments for 18 months. This makes owning a solar system far more feasible than it has been in the past.
The upfront cost is similar to leases, but unlike with a solar lease, you still get all the benefits of panel ownership — like the federal tax credit, property value increase and other solar incentives and rebates.
The downside to choosing Blue Raven Solar is that, at the moment, it only handles solar panel installations (although the company says energy storage options will be coming soon). Therefore, Blue Raven isn’t an option if you’re looking for any other clean energy upgrades, such as electric vehicle chargers, energy efficiency audits or HVAC upgrades.
Facts and Figures: Blue Raven Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Year Founded |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered |
| Warranty Coverage |
| 4.5 |
| A+ |
| 2014 |
| $$ |
| Solar Panels, System Monitoring |
| Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, SolarEdge, Silfab, SunPower |
| 25-year manufacturer warranty; 10-year workmanship warranty, 2-year production guarantee |
Intermountain Wind & Solar
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Outstanding customer service
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
Cons
- No leases or PPAs
- Relatively short workmanship warranty
Utah-based Intermountain Wind & Solar installs solar in Idaho and four other surrounding states. While larger and more experienced than most local Idaho companies, Intermountain still provides that small-company customer service that you don’t often receive from national installers.
Intermountain Wind & Solar tackles a variety of home solar services, including panel and battery installation, electric vehicle chargers, energy monitoring and more. It has electricians and general contractors on staff to provide general services as well. This company puts a lot of stock into making your home more efficient, meaning it understands the bigger picture when it comes to reducing energy costs.
What we like best about InterMountain is that it carries a ton of quality equipment brands — like SunPower panels or Qcells panels, Enphase microinverters, and the Tesla Powerwall — at reasonable costs. It also offers other options so customers are able to customize their system fully.
The only thing we don’t love about Intermountain is that it offers a below-average warranty for workmanship. But, all of its products come with manufacturer warranties (for instance, if you buy Qcells panels, they’ll come with Qcells’ 25-year product warranty. Currently, Intermountain company only accepts cash purchases and solar loans, with no solar lease options.
Facts and Figures: Intermountain Wind & Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4.5 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, EV Chargers, System Monitoring, Roofing Services, General Contracting |
EGT Solar
Outstanding Local Installer
Local Service
Average cost
Pros
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Outstanding customer service
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
Cons
- Limited information available on website
- Slightly limited service offerings
- No leases or PPAs
EGT Solar is a premier solar provider serving Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls and the surrounding southern Idaho areas. The company has over a decade of experience serving residential and commercial customers in the solar industry, which reflects in its workmanship and customer reviews.
Clients of EGT Solar can enjoy the great perks of the company’s services, including a diverse range of high-end solar panel brands, strong customer service and a free solar analysis to kick off the solar process.
EGT Solar also handles the entire process, from start to finish. It never outsources work to subcontractors. Subcontracting has become an issue for some brands in the solar space, as more solar panel system providers hire different subcontractors to handle random portions of the process.
One of the downsides of EGT is that it only serves central and southern Idaho, which leaves out a portion of the demographic. EGT also has limited information available on its website.
Facts and Figures: EGT Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4 |
| A+ |
| $$$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
Pell Solar
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Many years of experience
- Locally owned and operated
- Outstanding workmanship
Cons
- Limited information available on website
- Limited warranty coverage
- Slightly limited service offerings
Offering solar solutions in Boise and surrounding areas, Pell Solar is a well-known, trusted local provider with over 15 years of service under its belt in Idaho and Southern California. These years of experience are reflected in the company’s solid workmanship and positive customer reviews.
Backup energy storage is a hot commodity among homeowners with solar power systems, and Pell offers unique storage solutions for its customers — solar backup with or without a battery. It can do this through its cutting-edge product offerings like Enphase IQ8 microinverters that can form a microgrid to keep your home powered through an outage even without a battery.
Pell isn’t the best solar company for every Idahoan. For one, it only serves the greater Boise area. Pell also doesn’t offer any additional solar warranties, so you’ll be limited to the warranty that comes from the equipment you purchase.
Facts and Figures: Pell Solar
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4 |
| A |
| $$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries |
RevoluSun Idaho
Outstanding Regional Installer
Regional Service
Average cost
Pros
- Locally owned and operated
- Offers products from leading manufacturers
- Excellent reputation
- Full-service home energy solutions
Cons
- Limited information available on website
- Limited service area
Founded in 2018, RevoluSun Idahohas quickly grown, becoming a trusted installer in Idaho. RevoluSun has two other locations in Hawaii (O‘ahu) and Massachusetts. The Massachusetts and Hawaii locations were founded much earlier — in 2006 and 2009, respectively — so while RevoluSun is new to Idaho, it’s not new to the industry.
The Idaho branch is based out of Boise, allowing the company to serve the southwestern portion of the state, including Nampa, Pocatello and Meridian. Throughout its years of service, the company has completed over 8,000 residential PV installations.
RevoluSun Idaho’s team consists of electricians, A/C technicians, rackers, roofers, carpenters and maintenance professionals. The diverse team makes RevoluSun Idaho an ideal choice for various homeowner needs that extend beyond solar.
The company succeeds in offering competitive pricing and various solar panel brand choices. But it doesn’t offer any warranties beyond the manufacturer’s warranty that comes with your equipment.
Facts and Figures: RevoluSun Idaho
| EcoWatch Rating |
|---|
| Better Business Bureau (BBB) Rating |
| Average Cost ($-$$$$$) |
| Solar Services |
| 4 |
| A+ |
| $$ |
| Solar Panels, Solar Batteries, Roofing Services, Electrical Work |
How Can You Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In Idaho
The average solar panel installation cost in Idaho is $26,000 before applying any incentives, which is expensive compared to the national average cost of $23,940.
But solar is actually cheaper in Idaho, it’s just that the average Idaho home uses more energy and therefore needs to install more solar panels. Solar is typically priced on a per-watt basis, and in Idaho it costs $2.60 per watt, compared to the U.S. average of $2.66 per watt.
Going solar in Idaho will help you save money on your electric bill, but it’s still a huge investment. Here are some things you can do to save money when hiring a solar company in Idaho:
- Take advantage of solar incentives
- Install the right amount of panels
- Shop for high-efficiency solar panels
- Get multiple quotes from solar installers
Take Advantage of Solar Incentives
While it may not cover the upfront costs of your solar energy system, you can take advantage of Idaho solar incentives and financing options to increase your savings over time.
The following table provides an overview of the most substantial solar incentives available for Idahoans.
| IDAHO SOLAR INCENTIVE | DESCRIPTION |
| Federal Solar Tax Credit (ITC) | The federal solar investment tax credit is a credit applied to your federal income taxes due the year you turn on your system. The credit is worth 30% of your entire system cost, which, in Idaho, averages around $7,800.2 Homeowners are eligible for the 30% tax credit through 2032. The credit will dip to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034 before it expires in 2035. |
| Residential Alternative Energy Tax Deduction | In addition to the federal tax credit, Idaho provides a state tax deduction worth 40% of your total solar power system cost for the first year after installation.3 Additional credits apply at 20% of the total system cost per year for three years thereafter. It’s capped at $5,000 per year or $20,000 total, whichever comes first. Depending on the taxable income you owe over the years following your purchase, this deduction can generate significant savings. |
| Net Metering | Net metering is a billing option provided to customers by many utility companies to help solar customers offset and even eliminate their electric bills. Basically, net metering reduces your energy costs by crediting you for the energy you overproduce when your panels are at peak efficiency.4 |
| Low-Interest State Energy Loans | The State of Idaho aims to make solar as accessible as possible, so it has state-funded low-interest energy loans available for qualifying residents. This program caps interest rates at 4%, loan terms at five years and provides solar financing up to $15,000 for residential solar customers and $100,000 for commercial solar customers.5 |
You’ll also want to check with your local utility company for additional rebates that may be available to you for other solar technology add-ons, like solar water heaters.
Install the Minimum Amount of Panels
The reason a solar renewable energy system tends to be more expensive in Idaho compared to the national average is that the typical Idahoan consumes more energy than the typical American. But you may not fall into that statistic.
Again, solar panel systems are priced on a per-watt basis. So to save on a solar panel system, you’d ideally want to install the smallest one possible that still produces enough power to meet your needs.
| Size of Solar Panel System | Idaho Solar Panel Cost | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
| 7 kW | $18,200 | $12,740 |
| 8 kW | $20,800 | $14,560 |
| 9 kW | $23,400 | $16,380 |
| 10 kW | $26,000 | $18,200 |
| 11 kW | $28,600 | $20,020 |
| 12 kW | $31,200 | $21,840 |
| 13 kW | $33,800 | $23,660 |
To figure out what size solar system you need, you’ll need to check your utility bills to figure out your average monthly energy consumption.
The average Idaho resident consumes 961 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month.6 You can divide this number by 100 to get a quick estimate of the system size needed for that home. So, in Idaho, the average homeowner needs a 10 kilowatt (kW) system (rounded up from 9.61, of course).
Shop for High-Efficiency Panels
While higher-efficiency solar panels are more expensive upfront, you’ll need less of them to get the same energy output as a bigger system with less-efficient panels.
That means that installing fewer, higher-efficiency panels — like the ones from SunPower — may actually save you money in the long run.
Anything above 20% is considered high-efficiency, and the best solar panels have an output of around 350 to 400 watts each.
Get Multiple Quotes From Solar Installers
Comparing solar panel brands is a smart idea — if you know what you’re looking for. But most solar users aren’t solar experts, and that’s okay!
If you’re new to solar power, it’s even more important to find a reputable solar panel company in Idaho. A company that knows the climate, the best positioning for maximum sunshine and the local policies and incentives available to those who go solar.
We recommend getting at least two different quotes from the top solar installers in Idaho we’ve outlined on this page.
See Also: Calculate How Much You Can Save By Going Solar
Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In Idaho?
Yes, solar panels solar panels do increase the value of a home in Idaho. In fact, in an EcoWatch survey of 1,000 homeowners, 63% of respondents said they’d pay more for a home with solar panels than a home without
In Idaho the average home value is $467,694 which means solar panels could add a potential $18,700 increase in home value.
Should Idaho Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?
You may want to try to DIY your solar panel installation to save money. But there are several risks involved with installing solar panels.
But first, let’s figure out how much you would even save by installing your own panels.
While labor costs vary by company, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, labor typically accounts for at least 10% of the total cost of solar installation.7 That comes out to about $2,600 in Idaho.
That’s significant, but is it enough to justify the disadvantages of a DIY solar installation?
If you install your own solar panels, you risk:
- Losing solar equipment warranty coverage (most manufacturers have a clause that the warranty is only good if professionally installed)
- Installing your solar panels incorrectly or inefficiently
- Damaging your roof or home
- Injury to yourself
Installing solar is more complicated than you think. When you hire a solar panel company, the installation process can involve a project manager, a team of licensed technicians and solar panel design specialists who all work together to make sure your solar panels are placed in the best direction and angle to get you the most solar power.
Bottom line: unless you’re an electrician or certified in a similar trade, we don’t recommend installing your own solar panels.
What Should Idaho Residents Look For in a Solar Installer?
There are nearly two dozen solar companies located in Idaho and several more that serve the Gem State.8 So, how do you know which is the best for your needs?
In our opinion, you should hire a solar installer that:
- Offers a variety of solar financing options
- Carries a wide range of solar brands
- Offers strong warranties
Variety of Solar Financing Options
Solar is expensive no matter where you live. But if you’re in line with the average Idaho homeowner who uses a bit more energy than normal, you’ll likely have to shell out more money for a bigger solar system to cover your energy needs.
That’s why it’s a good idea to choose an Idaho solar company that offers a variety of financing options. For example, Blue Raven Solar offers two unique financing plans — BluePower Plus+ and SmartStart — that include $0-upfront options for 18 to 42 months.
Wide Range of Solar Brands
Because Idahoans see less sunshine and use more power than average, it’s important to install top-of-the-line solar equipment for optimal solar power production. But we also like to highlight solar companies that offer a variety of equipment brands to appeal to the most customers — both for style and budget.
However, there are some exceptions. For example, SunPower only carries the Maxeon brand, but it is well known as one of the best solar modules on the market, so we still strongly recommend SunPower.
Strong Warranties
The cost of going solar in Idaho can range from $18,000 to $34,000. That’s a big investment, so you want to make sure it’s protected.
You want to pick a company that offers at least a 25-year warranty on your panels — that’s the average life expectancy of a solar panel system. But we like to see additional warranties for power production, workmanship and roof penetration — especially in a place like Idaho that sees above-average snowfall.9
Methodology: How We Ranked Idaho’s Solar Companies
When we rank our top solar companies, we start by identifying the factors that matter most when ensuring that our readers find a trustworthy, reliable and environmentally responsible installation. We’ve listed those factors as categories below. We then weigh these factors against the industry benchmark (a company meeting the industry standard in all categories would earn 4 stars in our rating system).
Our goal is to deliver unbiased reports and honest reviews, thus, our methodology is not affected by commercial partnerships and is specifically tailored to Idaho homes.
- Solar Services (20%): Every installer on this list installs solar panels but some companies — like Blue Raven Solar — stop there. Others are scored higher for offering add-on services and products, like solar batteries, electric vehicle chargers, energy efficiency upgrades and more.
- Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications (20%): Most solar energy companies have several affiliations throughout the solar industry, such as Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) memberships or North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certifications. This is a major aspect we consider, as it indicates a company has done the work to integrate itself with trusted experts in the solar industry.
- Solar Warranty & Customer Support (15%): Typically, the more robust the warranty, the more trustworthy the company. A strong warranty says that the company is confident in its products and workmanship since it has no reason to believe its products or workmanship will fail. But a warranty is also only as good as the company’s customer service.
- Solar Financing Options (15%): Financing and affordable pricing are often crucial factors in deciding between solar companies. Since solar energy systems are a substantial investment, many homeowners seek companies that offer various financing options, as they may have better luck finding an option suited to their budgetary needs.
- Experience (10%): Many times, the older, more established companies are the superior choice. While this isn’t a hard-set rule, as younger companies can offer equally good services, there certainly is a correlation between older companies and reputability.
- Availability (10%): We give more weight to companies that serve all of Idaho versus ones that only serve parts of the state.
- Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Factors (10%): Going solar is great for money-saving benefits, but we prioritize people and the planet alongside your profit. With that in mind, we take each of Idaho’s solar company’s ecological and ethical standards into account.
FAQs: Best Solar Companies in Idaho
Here are a few of the questions about solar we get all the time here at EcoWatch. If you have specific questions about going solar in Idaho that aren’t answered here, reach out to our team of solar experts at solar@ecowatch.com.
Each of our top picks is a reputable solar company in Idaho. However, we would say that SunPower, Blue Raven, EGT Solar and Intermountain Wind & Solar have a little more reputability because they offer more comprehensive solar warranties. A strong warranty shows that a company is confident in its work and dedicated to keeping the customer satisfied.
Solar panel selection matters when choosing the best solar installer in your area. Because Idaho sees less sunshine than average, we recommend choosing panels with at least a 20% efficiency rating to get the most bang for your buck.
If you want a specific solar panel brand for your installation, you should look for a company that offers the particular brand. However, not all solar providers can handle every type of project.
We recommend comparing the top six best solar companies in Idaho from this article and narrowing it down based on your priorities.
For example, if you are looking for a company with the best warranties, start eliminating companies that don’t offer the coverage you want. Once you’re done, compare the companies based on other facets of service, including financing options, years in service, and industry affiliations.
Customer reviews and the Better Business Bureau score may also be helpful resources for narrowing down your top pick.
Absolutely! Your Idaho power company is an important aspect to consider when choosing the best solar company for your needs. Additionally, some utility companies provide solar incentives or charge different rates for net metering. This step is usually among the final stages of your solar process but is an important one to consider when assessing the benefits of going solar.
Related articles
Top Installers For Idaho
Comparing authorized solar partners
Average cost
Pros
Cons
BBB Rating
Year founded
Service Area
Brands of Solar Equipment Offered
Warranty Coverage
-
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
A+Best National Provider1985SunPower Panels25-year all-inclusive warranty
Having trouble deciding? Click below and use our process to receive multiple quotes instead: