Top 6 Best Solar Companies in Idaho (2023 Reviews)

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.

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.

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

Best Solar Financing

4.5/5

Competitive pricingExcellent reputationIndustry-leading in-house financing

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Best National Provider

5/5

National coverageGreat warranty coverageMost efficient panels on the market

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Outstanding Local Installer

4/5

Representatives are experts on local policiesOutstanding customer serviceOffers products from leading manufacturers

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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.