3 Best Solar Companies in Idaho (2023)

You may be surprised to learn that Idaho has already invested over $1 billion in solar energy.* Solar projects such as the Grand View Solar Two, American Falls Solar, and ID Solar generate enough electric capacity to power over 27,000 homes.

If you’re interested in going solar in the Gem State, we researched more than 20 solar panel installation companies to find the best options for homeowners. We reviewed each provider’s website and warranty, compared pricing, conducted secret shopping, and read more than 100 customer reviews per company to see which offer the most reputable solar services. Learn which of the best solar companies made our list for Idaho residents below.

*Based on data from the Solar Energy Industries Association.

We researched numerous solar companies available in Idaho, including local installers such as Pell Solar and EGT. We narrowed our list down to the following three providers after comparing pricing, Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings, product selections, warranty coverage, and customer reviews.

• SunPower:Most Energy-Efficient
• Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
• Tesla: Best Availability

SunPower made our list due to its favorable customer reputation and high-efficiency solar panels. Most panels average between 15% and 22% efficiency, but SunPower’s panels reach rates up to 22.8%.

*All BBB ratings are current as of May 2023.

Learn more: SunPower review

Blue Raven is one of the most popular and respected solar providers in the industry. The company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 4.5 out of 5 star customer rating on the site. We read more than 100 reviews from Blue Raven customers and found that many people complimented its service, panel performance, and smooth installation. 

Learn more: Blue Raven Solar review

Tesla is an innovative brand in many areas, but you may not have known it develops solar energy systems as well. The company’s solar panels, solar shingles, and popular Powerwall batteries are available nationwide. 

Learn more: Tesla review

Idaho offers multiple solar incentives and rebates to encourage residents to invest in renewable energy and reduce costs.

• Residential Alternative Tax Deduction: This incentive allows you to deduct 40% of your solar panel equipment and installation costs from your personal income taxes. You can also deduct 20% of the cost each year for the following three years after installation. 
• State Energy Loan Program: The Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy Resources (OER) offers low-interest loans for homeowners installing solar panel systems. This allows you to borrow up to $15,000 for five years at an interest rate of 4%.
• Net-metering: High-efficiency solar systems generate more energy than needed to power your home. Net-metering programs allow you to sell this excess energy to your local utility company in exchange for credits on your electric bill. Idaho doesn’t have statewide net-metering, but each of its three investor-owned utilities—Avista Utilities, Idaho Power, and Rocky Mountain Power—have programs.
• Federal Solar Tax Credit: All Idaho homeowners who own their systems qualify for the federal solar tax credit, which provides a federal tax deduction equal to 30% of your solar system costs. Customers who lease their systems or enter into a power purchase agreement (PPA) are disqualified.

It’s important to work with a quality solar company when investing in solar power. Here’s what we recommend looking for when comparing providers. 

Solar Services

Many providers offer other products and services in addition to solar panels. This may include solar batteries, inverters, electric vehicle chargers, and other solar accessories. Not all companies offer the same options, so look for a provider that meets your needs. Also, check to see if the company handles installation in-house or outsources to third parties; the former is preferred. Finally, ask if the company offers remote monitoring or has a mobile app. Some providers also partner with third parties to resolve adjacent issues prior to installation, such as roof repair and replacement or pest control. 

Warranties

There are three main types of solar warranties:

• Manufacturer’s warranty: Sometimes called a product warranty, this protects the individual solar system components in case of defects.
• Workmanship warranty: Workmanship warranties cover installation in case of poor workmanship or faulty installation materials.
• Performance guarantee: A power production guarantee certifies the solar system’s output as outlined in your contract.

We recommend looking for 25-year warranties in each of these cases, though some providers limit their workmanship warranty to 10 years. 

Payment Options

Companies will offer all or some of the following solar financing options:

• Full purchase: An up-front cash payment is the most cost-effective financing option. This requires a large initial investment, but you’ll own your system outright, avoid paying interest rates, and qualify for solar incentives. 
• Loan: Solar loans are a good financing option if you prefer to make monthly payments but still want to eventually own your solar system. You’ll pay more in total due to interest rates but still be able to benefit from energy savings and solar incentives.
• Lease: A solar lease requires little to no money down and involves a set monthly payment. However, you won’t own your system or qualify for solar incentives.
• Power purchase agreement: PPAs also don’t allow you to own your system or access incentives. Instead, you’ll make monthly payments based on the energy your system generates.

Customer Support

Look at a company’s website to see how many contact options it offers. Some companies only list a phone number, while others also provide an online chat option, email address, and online service request portal. We suggest calling a company’s customer service number to speak with a representative at least once. This will give you an idea how knowledgeable, responsive, and easy to work with the support team is. Ask about the company’s ongoing support after installation. Ideally, a company will offer services that help you maintain and monitor your system.

Getting a solar quote is easy. You can often do this online by following these steps:

1. Click the Get a Quote button on the provider’s website. This is usually in the top-right corner of the homepage. If not, it may be at the bottom of the site. 
2. Fill out the required information. Most companies ask for basic contact information, home size, roof pitch, property type, and the solar equipment you’re interested in.
3. You’ll receive your quote quickly either on the website or by email. 

You can also call the company to answer these questions. We called Blue Raven and got an estimate within 10 minutes.

It’s important to vet a solar company before making such a big investment. We suggest carefully looking over a provider’s website, warranties, financing options, customer reviews, and online ratings. Talk to neighbors that have solar panels and call the company with any questions you have. Get at least three quotes so you can compare. 

Our top pick for Idaho residents is SunPower. The company is well-rated among customers, had responsive customer support when we called, and offers some of the most energy-efficient solar panels in the industry.

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The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

• Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
• Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
• Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
• Financing options (15%)
• Experience (10%)
• Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.