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2 Best Solar Companies in Idaho (2024 Guide)

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Author Image Written by Tamara Jude Updated 12/09/2024

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 offers the most reputable solar services. Learn which of the top tier solar companies made our list for Idaho residents below.

*Based on data from the Solar Energy Industries Association.


Compare the Top Solar Companies in Idaho

Company Star Rating Warranties Payment Options Link
4.4
10–25 years Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
4.2
25 years Full purchase, loan, lease GET QUOTE
4.4
25–30 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
4.5
10–25 years Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA GET QUOTE
No results were found.

Idaho’s Top Solar Energy Companies

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


Our Top Picks for Solar Panel Installation in Idaho

Blue Raven Solar Most Reputable
4.4
Pros and Cons
Pros Provides a unique financing option that includes 18 months of free solar energy Sells SunPowers’s high-efficiency solar products Has won multiple awards for its in-house team Cons Offers one of the shortest guarantees among companies we reviewed Doesn’t have solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) financing options Some customer reviews mention aggressive sales tactics
Why We Chose Blue Raven

Blue Raven has a great reputation for its reliability and trustworthiness. The company also stands out for its in-house loan option, which includes 18 months of free solar energy. We noted that online customer reviews praised the company’s knowledgeable staff and prompt installation.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty
A Blue Raven Solar system comes with a 25-year warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.

Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan

Reputation and Awards

Blue Raven has won several awards from Comparably, a site known for its comprehensive company culture and reputation reviews. Comparably recognized Blue Raven for Best Operations Team 2022, Best Sales Team 2022, Best Product and Design Team 2022, Best Places to Work in Salt Lake City 2022, and Best Company Outlook 2022. Its 2021 wins include Best Company for Diversity 2021, Best CEO 2021, Best Company Work-Life Balance, and Best Career Growth 2021. Blue Raven Solar ranked No. 20 on Glassdoor’s Best Place to Work in the USA in 2021.

Learn more: Blue Raven Solar review

Venture Solar

4.2

Venture Solar specializes in installing systems that are perfectly symmetrical and have no visible wiring or mounting devices. This design provides a simple, stylish look tailored to your roof’s appearance. Additionally, Venture offers comprehensive financing options similar to Sunrun, making solar energy more accessible to homeowners.

How We Scored Venture Solar

Venture earned 4.2 out of 5 stars. It gained most of its points due to its flexible financing options paired with an in-house financing department. It also provides plenty of solar services to match most customers’ wants and needs, though it lost points for lacking roofing services, energy audits, and EV charger installations. 

  • Solar Equipment and Services (16 out of 25 points): Venture offers solar panel and battery installation with active monitoring. The company lost points in this category because it doesn’t provide EV chargers, solar roof installation services, energy audits, and roof repairs.
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (25 out of 25 points): The company features excellent warranty perks with 25 years on labor, products, and performance. It also includes roof leak protection. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (13 out of 15 points): Venture has a great reputation. It features high ratings on its BBB profile with an accreditation and no active issues like lawsuits.
  • Financing Options (14 out of 15 points): Venture provides financing options through an in-house financing team and works with every payment method except PPAs. 
  • Industry Experience (7 out of 10 points): The company holds only eight years of experience in the solar industry.
  • State Availability (7 out of 10 points): Venture has a limited service area of only three states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides transparent information about its financing options online Includes remote monitoring Includes a 25-year roof and system warranty with all panel systems Cons Requires your phone number to submit an online quote Reviews mention mixed experiences with customer support Doesn’t work with power purchase agreement

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

Venture offers a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty that covers workmanship, products, and power output. 

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease

State Availability

Available in: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.

Reputation and Reviews

Venture has an A+ rating and accreditation on its BBB profile. According to customer reviews, the company provides high-quality workmanship on its solar panel systems and good customer support. However, some customers have raised concerns about the pricing and quoting process. They found it confusing to determine the total cost of their system and experienced frequent back-and-forth over pricing.

Some customers also noted that Venture focuses on premium products, leading to higher pricing even when unnecessary. We found several Reddit threads discussing Venture where other solar customers and installers mentioned similar experiences.

Solar Energy World

4.4

Solar Energy World (SEW) is one of the most robust and well-regarded solar installation companies. It boasts several impressive features, such as its 30-year manufacturer’s warranty. Its service area is limited, and it doesn’t offer energy auditing services. We like that SEW discloses what solar panels it primarily works with and that the panels are from trusted, quality brands such as Qcells and Silfab.

Roughly 11% of our surveyed solar users purchased their system from Solar Energy World.

How We Scored Solar Energy World

SEW scored 4.4 out of 5 stars according to our methodology. The company received many points because of its warranty, which is longer than most other solar companies’ warranties. SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all its solar panels and inverters, whereas many providers only offer 25-year warranties.

  • Solar Equipment and Services (18 out of 25 points): The company is an ideal option for many basic solar products and services, such as solar panels and battery installation. It lost points because it doesn’t install EV chargers or perform energy audits.
  • Warranty and Performance Guarantees (19 out of 25 points): SEW’s manufacturer and labor warranties are standout features, but the company doesn’t include any production guarantees with its work. 
  • Brand Reputation and Professional Certifications (15 out of 15 points): The company’s reputation is one of the best, with high BBB and Google Reviews ratings. We also found no active alerts or lawsuits.
  • Financing Options (13.5 out of 15 points): SEW offers all possible solar payment options but doesn’t provide an in-house financing department. 
  • Industry Experience (8 out of 10 points): The company has been in business since 2009, so it received most of the points in this category.
  • State Availability (6 out of 10 points): SEW limits its service area to eight East Coast states.

Pros and Cons

Pros Features an extensive solar product catalog with trusted brands Includes free active monitoring Hires NABCEP-certified installers and designers Cons Reviews mention communication issues with staff Warranty coverage varies by solar panel brand Doesn’t offer a power production guarantee

Warranty and Financing

Warranty

SEW offers a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on all purchased solar panels and inverters. However, coverage varies by brand, and the company doesn’t guarantee them with every panel option. 

Financing Options

✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
✔ Lease
✔ PPA

State Availability

Available in: Washington, D.C, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia

Reputation and Reviews

The company landed on Solar Power World’s 2023 Top Solar Contractors List in the No. 10 spot.

The BBB accredits SEW, and the company holds an A+ rating. Former customers praise the company for its professionalism, assistance with applying for financial incentives, and smooth installation process. However, some reported discrepancies in finances and scheduling.

Sunrun

Best Solar Panel Leasing
4.5
  • Payment options: Full purchase, loan, lease, PPA
  • State availability: 20 states covered plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Sunrun offers four financing options, including unique leasing options tailored for homeowners who don’t want system ownership. Prepaid and leased systems get a 25-year warranty that includes 25 years of system service and maintenance plus ongoing monitoring and theft insurance.

Pros and Cons

Pros Provides system monitoring that signals issues with your system Offers diverse financing options to suit various budgets Provides EV and solar battery solutions Cons Requires added costs for the same coverage plans as leased and prepaid customers Solar and battery availability varies by state

Warranty and Financing

Sunrun backs its systems with a 10-year comprehensive warranty which includes product, roof penetration, and workmanship coverage.

Reputation and Awards

The company earned DroneDeploy’s 2022 Guardian of Safety Award for incorporating drone technology in its site assessments. In 2021 and 2022, Sunrun was recognized by Comparably with 14 awards. Its accolades include Best CEOs for Diversity 2022, Best Company Culture 2021, and Best Company for Women two years in a row.

Sunrun currently holds an A+ rating with BBB and is accredited. Customers praised the comprehensive coverage for leased systems but complained about delayed installations, poor customer service, and poor communication with project managers.

Areas of Coverage

  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Florida
  • Hawaii
  • Illinois
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Texas
  • Vermont
  • Wisconsin
  • Puerto Rico
  • Washington, D.C.

Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.


Are There Solar Incentives in Idaho?

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.

What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?

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 quality pest control services.

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 of 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.


How To Get a Solar Quote in Idaho

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.


Our Conclusion

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 Blue Raven Solar. The company is well-rated among customers and offers some of the best performing solar panels in the industry.

Other Idaho Home Service Resources


FAQ About Solar Companies in Idaho

Is solar worth it in Idaho?

Yes, solar is worth it in Idaho. The state enjoys enough sunny weather to help you reduce your energy bills with solar power. The state’s solar incentives also help homeowners save money. 

Does Idaho have any solar incentives?

Yes, Idaho has a few solar incentives. The state’s Residential Alternative Tax Deduction allows homeowners to deduct part of their solar costs from their personal income taxes. There are also low-interest state loans. Several Idaho utility companies have net-metering programs, and Idaho residents qualify for the federal tax credit, which reduces your investment by 30% if you purchase your system or take out a loan.

Who installs solar in Idaho?

There are several reputable solar installers in Idaho, including SunPower, Blue Raven Solar, Tesla, EGT, Pell Solar, and RevoluSun Idaho. 

What is the best solar company brand?

There are a few great solar installation companies in Idaho. We recommend SunPower, Blue Raven Solar, and Tesla.


Our Rating Methodology

We are 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 team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.