15 Best Solar Companies in Preston, ID (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Preston based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Preston, ID
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Preston homeowner saves $1,489/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Preston
Looking for the best solar companies in Preston? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because solar panels generate their own energy, they can greatly lower your electricity bill each month, if not entirely eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the top companies in your area. Read on to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected with a highly rated solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Preston
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
ES Solar
- Representatives are experts on local policies
- Lifetime workmanship warranty
- Outstanding customer service
- No leases or PPAs
- Energy audits only available 12 months after installation
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Audits
Average Cost
Creative Energies
- Certified B Corp
- Outstanding customer service
- Many years of experience
- Multitude of products and services
- No leases or PPAs
- Slightly expensive
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Off-Grid Solar Solutions
- Electrical Work
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Suncatcher Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Lifetime Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Solar in Cache Valley
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
Radix Solar
- Recognized Excellence
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
Atlas Power Solutions
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
Platinum Solar LLC
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
Green Gro Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Crafuel
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Green Box Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Denali Energy LLC
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Preston
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Preston based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Preston
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Idaho solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Preston
The cost of installing solar panels has dropped significantly over the past few years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- How much energy your home consumes: Homes that use a lot of power each month may need more solar panels and, as a result, be more costly, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Preston gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
Thanks to the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a solid investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Preston
To increase the adoption of solar power, federal, state and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make going solar more economical and accessible. You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also potentially stack the ITC with other local incentives. You can find out about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Preston
A lot of people want to do what they can to help save the environment, which in many cases is the main reason they're interested in installing a solar system. But you may be wondering — how much exactly can you help the environment by using solar power? The EPA reports that electricity production is the second greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help put a dent in that number in a city like Preston that accounts for a fair amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. In Preston, the average homeowner can lower their carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year after going solar. If you care about the environment, you'll no doubt find that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Preston, ID Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installer in Preston?
In Preston, Big Dog Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
What are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it's environmentally friendly, and it provides a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, the startup costs are high and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Usually, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the sun's energy into usable electricity.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.