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What To Look for in a Solar Company
Despite its recent growth in Idaho, solar power may be a complex and new technology for homeowners. Here are a few key factors to consider when looking for installers:
- Cost and financing: Like other major home upgrades, solar panels are not cheap. A typical system can cost anywhere between $10,000 to $30,000, making cost an important factor when comparing installers. While the cheapest system will likely offer less value for the money, it’s important to strike a balance between cost, features, warranties and company reliability. You can also look for companies offering flexible payment options, such as solar leases, solar loans or power purchase agreements (PPA).
- Trustworthiness: Solar panel systems are complex and consist of numerous components, requiring significant expertise and experience to install correctly. This is why the trustworthiness of a solar company is essential to consider. Buyers can check if a company is trustworthy by vetting its website for experience, the total number of systems installed and services offered. You can also read online reviews to determine the overall sentiment of customers.
- Services offered: Most solar companies provide more than one product or service. Some companies sell solar batteries and electric vehicle (EV) chargers with solar panels, while others may offer roofing or tree removal services to help make the most of a solar panel system. Before requesting quotes from solar companies, we recommend listing the possible services you may need. This can help you narrow down your options, and purchasing multiple services from one company can lower your total cost.
Compare the Cost of Idaho Solar Companies
A solar power system costs $3.07 per watt on average in Idaho, higher than the national average by 22 cents. Based on this figure, the average cost of a typical 6 kilowatt (kW) system in Idaho costs around $18,420 before incentives.
Pricing data is based on responses to our March 2023 solar survey of 1,000 homeowners with 10 kW solar systems. Your cost may vary.
Our Recommendation
Over 40 solar companies service the state of Idaho, including four manufacturers and 24 installers. Homeowners have quality choices from national brands like SunPower to local options like RevoluSun. You can also opt for Blue Raven if you prefer multiple solar financing options.
We recommend requesting free quotes from multiple solar companies and comparing each based on price, services offered, warranties and reputation. This can help you choose the most suitable solar provider.
Benefits of Going Solar in Idaho
There are multiple benefits to installing solar energy in Idaho, including:
- Electricity bill savings: By generating power from sunlight, solar panels can help reduce your grid energy consumption by a significant margin. In some cases, solar power can nearly eliminate grid power usage, resulting in a drastic reduction of your monthly energy bill. Homeowners can save thousands a year after going solar, which can add up over the 25- to 30-year lifespan of your panels.
- Protection against rising power costs: Energy costs are on the rise nationwide. Idaho is no exception — for example, Idaho Power and Avista recently applied for rate increases. North Idaho residents can expect to see bills rising from $85 to $103 within a year due to infrastructure growth, droughts and aging infrastructure. Homes with solar panels are more immune to the impact of rising power prices because you can generate your own power, and lessen your consumption of grid energy.
- Environmental benefits: Renewable energy comprises a large chunk of Idaho’s energy mix — accounting for 75% of the state’s total electricity generation in 2022. But the state also burns a significant amount of coal and natural gas to fulfill its energy needs. Going solar helps homeowners offset fossil fuel consumption with clean energy from solar panels. Solar energy not only reduces your carbon footprint but the state’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.
- Resilience against blackouts: Power outages from overloaded power grids, winter storms and severe heat are becoming more common in the U.S. In Idaho, heat waves and storms have led to outages lasting several hours. Having a solar system with battery backup can power your home for a few hours to days in the event of blackouts.
- Increased home value: Studies show that home buyers are willing to pay about 4.1% more for a home with solar panels than a comparable home that runs on grid power. Considering Idaho’s average home price of $448,156, a 4.1% boost would equal an increase of $18,374.
Idaho Solar Incentives
Idaho has an attractive set of solar incentives, including federal and state tax credits and incentivized loan programs.
Federal Incentives
The most beneficial solar incentive available to Idaho residents is the federal solar tax credit, formally known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). This incentive offers a tax credit equivalent to 30% of your solar system value, which you can apply against your tax burden for the year you install panels. Considering the average 6 kW solar system costs $18,420 in Idaho, residents can save about $5,526 on average with the ITC.
Statewide Incentives
Besides the federal tax credit, Idaho residents also benefit from a state-mandated tax credit and other incentives.
Aniket Bhor is a solar engineer who has spent nearly a decade studying and working in the solar power sector in the European, Asian and North American markets. He is a climate enthusiast and avid cyclist, and he also loves to lose himself in books and cooking.
Tori Addison is an editor with over five years of experience in the digital marketing industry. Her includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.
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