2 Best Solar Companies in Miles City, MT (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 2 in Miles City based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Miles City, MT
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Miles City homeowner saves $1,585/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Miles City
When choosing between the best solar companies, Miles City homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we're here to make adopting solar energy that much easier. Because solar panels produce their own electrical power, they can greatly bring down your electricity bill each month, if not completely eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $19,000 of savings over 20 years.
Here, we'll give you a list of some of the best solar companies in Miles City to make your decision much easier. Want to see how much you would pay to install a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top Miles City solar installer.
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Miles City
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
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
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Miles City
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Miles City 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 Miles City
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Montana 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 Miles City
We get that for many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar depends on installation costs. The overall price and potential savings vary depending on some important factors such as:
- How much energy you use: If your household needs to use a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from switching to solar.
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, along with how your roof is set up, affects affect how much power your solar panels can produce.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you're trying to reduce your electricity costs, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Miles City homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
If you're interested in finding out what your impact could be if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Miles City, MT.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in Miles City
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make going solar more affordable and accessible. There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you a decent amount of money in return after buying a solar panel system. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Miles City
Going solar can have a beneficial effect on the environment. You may be asking yourself — how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? Your energy usage is an important factor to keep in mind. The more power you use, the bigger your impact when you make the switch to solar power. If you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be cut by about 50 pounds every year. The perks of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with using solar energy.
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's Miles City, MT Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installation company in Miles City?
In Miles City, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Manufacturing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.0 years, but the exact period varies depending on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
When should I put up solar panels?
Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the ideal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's not as much demand during the winter months, and it allows you to be up and running with solar for the higher power bills you may get during the summer.
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.