Best 5 Solar Companies in Caldwell, ID

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Caldwell

The price and efficacy of solar panels often hinge on the solar company that installed them. Consider all of these criteria in your company search.

Licensing and Training

Idaho's Division of Building Safety recently began to issue solar PV contracting licenses. If you're installing a solar thermal system, your installer must be a licensed plumbing contractor. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most respected are the PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates, granted by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Caldwell

Your solar panels' style will influence how much electricity you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

Additional components, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will raise your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar companies include these optional components, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's important for you.

If you're a resident of Caldwell and want a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $17,300 for parts and installation. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Caldwell

There are numerous ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), cash payments, and loans. We advise making a cash payment or securing a solar loan for the best return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to minimize your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in monthly installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll spend more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and cannot use solar incentives. Look for providers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your financial needs.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Caldwell.

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy equipment until the year 2032. Local and state governments and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and specialized financing options that could save you more.