3 Best Solar Companies in Whitefish, MT (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Whitefish based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Whitefish, MT
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Whitefish homeowner saves $1,088/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Whitefish
Choosing the best solar panel installation company for your roof is a huge decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Whitefish. Solar panels can be expensive, but adopting solar will save you money on your utility bills over many years. In fact, you can expect to save about $14,000 over 20 years.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Whitefish, you might realize that there are a great number of providers to choose from. So, we’ve put together an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Whitefish, click the "get quote" button below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Whitefish
Northstone Solar
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation
Carbon Recall Kalispell Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Jordan Solar and Electric
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Whitefish
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Whitefish 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 Whitefish
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 Whitefish
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you first need to pay to install your panels.Some significant things that determine the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Average daily sunlight: Since Whitefish doesn’t get a lot of average daily sunlight, your solar system may not be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much your electricity bills will be.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. In addition, you can save about $14,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- The kind of solar panels you want to get: More high-tech panels have higher prices, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Whitefish doesn’t use much energy, and so may not see as many savings on their power bills.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’re trying to decrease your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Whitefish homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Whitefish
Adopting solar power has many wonderful benefits. Not only can it help protect the planet, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. For more information about incentives that apply to you, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Whitefish
There are a few key reasons why many people want to invest in solar energy: for the good of their bank accounts and the planet.You may be asking yourself – how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? The amount of energy you use is a key factor to think about. The more power your home uses, the bigger your impact when you go solar.Once you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 10 pounds a year. As you can see, using solar power has so many other perks outside of saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Whitefish, MT Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Whitefish?
The best local solar company in Whitefish is Northstone Solar, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they’re made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 17.9 years, but the exact period varies depending on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
When should I put up solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.