Best 2 Solar Companies in Great Falls, MT

With Great Falls' clear skies and little rainfall, it's a perfect area for homeowners and businesses looking to harness the added sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. If you're considering going solar, you might be concerned about expensive upfront costs. By working with a professional installer, you'll have both the financial and practical support you need for a smooth transition. Discover Great Falls' top-rated solar companies and learn important decision-making advice on this page.

Ranking Methodology

We analyzed dozens of Great Falls solar installers, using the following criteria to determine the superior:

• Service offerings and warranties: Solar companies should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Great Falls solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Experience and professional licensure: Each contractor on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Great Falls community for over 15 years.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be knowledgeable. They should utilize their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and optimize its performance.
• Panel brands and quality: The premier solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy provides multiple advantages. Let's look at a few of them.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power means you're less dependent on fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gasses.
• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home functioning through emergencies and blackouts. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery backup.
• Lowered energy bills: Solar panels let you generate your own energy to power your home, decreasing your monthly electricity costs. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Great Falls Homeowners?

Montana's public agencies and power companies offer a number of solar incentives to help lower your solar system costs. Here is a breakdown of eligible solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Great Falls

The more thorough your company research is, the better your solar installation will ultimately function. Consider each of these elements in your company search.

Licensing and Training

Solar jobs in Montana need a licensed electrician under either of three circumstances: if your locality requires a licensed electrician install the panels, if the system is rated for over 90 volts, or if the system is connected to a utility grid. For solar water heating systems, you'll need a master plumber to do the job no matter your panels' capacity. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar industry's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Great Falls

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can boost your solar system's performance. Not all solar companies offer these extras, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's important for you.

If you're a resident of Great Falls and want a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $17,350 for materials and labor. See more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Great Falls

Solar providers use multiple different financing options to increase your savings and lower your costs. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar leases, cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs) and solar loans. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Like a home or car loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases let you rent your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, much like an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. We recommend working with a provider that offers multiple financing options. Ask each salesperson about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your budget.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Additional incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy