Top 5 Solar Companies in idaho

Below you’ll find the top solar companies in Idaho as ranked by us and reviewed by verified solar customers. To learn more about what goes into our “Best Rank” score for each company, visit our How We Rank page. For our full Idaho Solar Overview, keep reading:

Idaho Solar Overview

With high levels of sunshine throughout the year, and a recent push to preserve net metering standards, Idaho certainly has potential to be a great state for solar energy. With few solar incentives in place other than the state and federal solar tax credit, Idaho has a long way to go toward making clean, renewable energy like solar more accessible and affordable for the average homeowner.

Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of going solar in Idaho.

Pros and Cons of Going Solar in Idaho

Here's an at-a-glance description of the current benefits and drawbacks of switching to solar in Idaho:

Benefits of Going Solar in Idaho:

  • High Sunshine Levels
  • 30% Federal Tax Credit
  • Net Metering Policy
  • State-Level Tax Credit

Drawbacks of Going Solar in Idaho:

  • No Rebates or Tax Exemptions
  • No Lease or PPA Options
  • Relatively Low Electricity Prices
  • No Renewable Portfolio Standard

Cost of Solar in Idaho

The levelized cost (meaning, the cost per kilowatt-hour of solar divided by the total estimated number of kilowatt-hours produced over the course of the system’s lifetime) of solar in Idaho is approximately 4 cents per kWh, which, when compared to the 23 cents per kWh a non-solar customer would pay, is a much more effective way to save on electricity.

The average solar system in Idaho can cost up to $21,000 dollars, depending on array size and solar cell model. This figure is slightly higher than what you might pay for the same size of system in other states, and given the relatively low utility costs the Gem State’s hydroelectric program offers, could take up to 18 years to pay off.

Idaho Solar Financing Options

Idaho only offers two financing solutions to customers interested in investing in a solar PV system: cash purchase and a solar loan.

Cash Purchase

Although the fastest way to see a return on one’s solar panel installation, cash purchase also requires the most money upfront. Assuming about $21,000 in upfront costs — less the 30 percent federal tax credit, less the Idaho tax deduction — homeowners in Idaho could expect to see solar energy savings after about 18 years of consistent operation.

The reason for such a lengthy payback period has to do with Idaho’s low energy costs and the lack of additional state rebates to help customers save on solar power. The other unfortunate thing about financing a solar panel system with cash is the fact that the system’s profits of approximately $9,000 over its 25-year lifespan pales in comparison to most other states.

Solar Loan

The sole alternative to cash purchase in Idaho is the solar loan. Because solar loans in Idaho come with a zero money down option, customers will experience almost immediate savings. However, as they pay off their loan, those savings will diminish year over year until the loan is paid off (usually after about 15 years). Once the loan is paid off, customers should average about $1,000 worth of savings every year for the next 10 years.

Idaho Solar Incentives

With no in-state solar power rebates or tax exemptions, Idaho has only one true solar incentive to speak of in the form of its solar tax credit. For residential solar customers who own their system, Idaho will deduct an average $370 per year for the first four years of that system’s operation.

Idaho Solar Policy Information

Despite not having a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) or solar carve-out in place, Idaho does have a decent net metering policy, which in most cases requires utility companies to credit solar panels users for the excess energy their system produces each month. In Idaho, however, utility companies are not required to credit solar customers at all; most companies offer net metering on an elective basis instead.

Idaho Solar Statistics

With more than 7,000 commercial and residential solar installations across the state, Idaho ranks in the 60th percentile for solar output and investment among all reporting states. The state has seen more than 550 megawatts of solar energy installed, enough to power about 78,000 homes, and currently hosts 30 solar providers employing more than 500 people.

Interested in a solar quote? Check out the top-ranked solar companies in Idaho and read reviews from verified solar customers.

Sources

  • solarpowerrocks.com/idaho/
  • solarreviews.com/solar-panels/idaho
  • seia.org/state-solar-policy/idaho-solar
  • solar-nation.org/idaho
  • solaractionalliance.org/solar-panel-installation/idaho/

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