Choosing the right solar installer in Idaho can feel overwhelming. There are so many questions to answer before making the decision you can spend hours researching. That’s why we’ve simplified it for you.
Our guide highlights Idaho’s top-rated solar companies, combining Solar Power Systems expert insights with feedback from locals who’ve made the switch.
No need to surf the web looking for information crumbs to have the big picture. Years in business, reviews from real customers, online reputation, panel brands, warranty, social media overview, and more – we have it all. The hard work is done to help you make the right decision.
We prioritize companies committed to long-term service and reliability. Here’s our list of Idaho’s most trusted solar installers:
Intermountain Wind and Solar review 1830 Airport Way, Boise ID, 83705
Blue Raven Solar review 50 S Cole Rd Ste #103, Boise ID, 83709
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Blue Raven read more…
RevoluSun Idaho review 457 Steelhead Way, Boise, ID, United States, 83704
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, RevoluSun Idaho read more…
G1 Solar review 1307 S Maple Grove Rd, Boise, ID 83709, United States of America
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, G1 Solar read more…
Idahome Energy review 6149 N Meeker Pl, Suite 110 Boise, ID 83713
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Idahome Energy read more…
My Native Solar review 3597 E Monarch Sky Ln suite f240, Meridian, ID 83646
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, My Native read more…
Black Diamond Electric review 850 E Franklin Rd Suite 414, Meridian, ID 83642
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Black Diamond read more…
Renewable Energy NW, LLC review Meridian, Idaho, USA
Renewable Energy NW, LLC is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. read more…
EGT Solar review 401 N Main St Meridian, ID 83642
EGT Solar is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. With a read more…
Big Dog Solar review 1190 W Taylor Ave, Meridian ID, 83642
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Big Dog read more…
Idahome Energy review 866 N world cup lane, Eagle ID, 83616
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Idahome Energy read more…
Magic Valley Electric LLC review 125 9th Avenue South, Buhl, ID 83316, USA
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Magic Valley read more…
Magic Valley Electric LLC review 395 Railway Street, Jerome, Idaho 83338, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Magic Valley read more…
EGT Solar review 2158 4th Avenue East Suite #2, Twin Falls ID, 83301
EGT Solar is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. With a read more…
Enterprise Electric and Rental, Inc. review 803 S River St, Enterprise, OR 97828
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Enterprise Electric read more…
Blue Raven Solar review 4860 Burley Dr, Chubbuck ID, 83202
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Blue Raven read more…
Big Dog Solar review 620 Pheasant Ridge Dr. Pocatello, ID 83202
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Big Dog read more…
Solar Panel Installation Costs in Idaho
The installation cost of solar panels is about $2.77 per watt. The average system of 5 kilowatts, suitable for most residences, is about $13,849 prior to considering any incentives.
The cost of solar panel installation depends on several things: how big your system needs to be, what equipment you choose, which installer you work with, and where you live in Idaho. Here’s what solar panel prices look like across different system sizes:
| System Size | Cost Before Incentives | Cost After Federal Tax Credit (30%) | Average Cost Per Watt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | $11,772 – $15,926 | $8,240 – $11,148 | $2.77/W | |
| 6 kW | $14,126 – $19,111 | $9,888 – $13,378 | $2.77/W | |
| 7 kW | $16,481 – $22,297 | $11,537 – $15,608 | $2.77/W | |
| 8 kW | $18,835 – $25,482 | $13,185 – $17,837 | $2.77/W | |
| 10 kW | $23,544 – $31,852 | $16,481 – $22,296 | $2.77/W | |
| Pricing Disclaimer: The solar panel prices shown are estimates based on data collected from online sources as of October 2025. Actual costs may vary based on your location, system specifications, and installer. | ||||
These numbers reflect current pricing for October 2025. When you’re figuring out how much it costs to install solar panels, remember that the federal tax credit cuts your actual investment significantly. Most residential solar panel installations need anywhere from 5-10 kilowatts to cover typical home energy needs.
Available Incentives and Tax Credits
Solar incentives make a huge difference in the amount of money that solar panels cost in Idaho after using all credits and rebates available.
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Here’s something critical: the federal Investment Tax Credit gives you back 30% of your total installation costs, but it expires on December 31, 2025. That’s just a couple of months away. For Idaho homeowners thinking about solar, acting now could mean saving around $10,520 through this federal incentive. Come 2026, this tax credit disappears completely for residential installations, which drastically changes how much it costs to install solar panels for anyone who waits.
Idaho State Tax Deduction
Idaho doesn’t mess around with solar incentives. The state offers an income tax deduction for up to 40% of your installation costs in the first year, with additional 20% deductions available for three more years (capped at $5,000 per year and $20,000 total)—that’s one of the best state-level incentives anywhere in the country. This deduction stacks nicely with the federal credit and further drops the cost of solar panels in Idaho.
Net Billing and Compensation Changes
As a customer with Idaho Power, you should understand the recent shift from net metering to net billing. Idaho Power switched to a net billing system in January 2024, which reduced compensation for surplus solar energy from an average of 8.8 cents per kilowatt-hour to approximately 5.96-6.18 cents per kWh.
In April 2025, Idaho Power proposed a further reduction to an average of 2.46 cents per kWh annually, with rates dropping to less than 1 cent per kWh for 8 months of the year (October-May). These adjustments reflect the manner in which utilities are transforming as more and more homeowners adopt solar.
Energy Production and Savings Potential
Solar works well across Idaho, though some regions do better than others. Southern Idaho especially gets plenty of sunlight year-round, which makes solar panels in Idaho a solid investment for cutting your electric bills.
Idaho’s electricity rates sit below the national average, but like everywhere else, they keep climbing each year. Residential solar panels usually produce enough electricity to cover 70-100% of what your household uses, depending on your system size and how much power you consume.
With both federal and state incentives still available through 2025, most people see their solar investment pay for itself in 8-12 years—which matters a lot when you’re deciding if solar panels are worth it in Idaho.
Financing Options
You’ve got several ways to pay for solar in Idaho, and each one affects how much solar panels cost over the life of your system:
Cash Purchase
This gives you the best long-term savings and the quickest return on your money. You get all the incentives immediately, skip any interest charges, and maximize your investment when you’re calculating how much solar panels are truly worth.
Solar Loans
These let you go solar without paying anything upfront while you still get the tax credits and incentives. Your new monthly loan payment may be the same as or greater than your present electric bill, but you would pay less in the long term after you’ve repaid the loan.
Leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)
It is possible to go solar for no upfront payment, but you would not benefit as much in the long run because the system owner would claim the tax credits.
Special Considerations for Idaho
There are some distinctive features about solar in Idaho, and you need to know them prior to installing solar panels in Idaho:
Solar Irradiance
It is sunny in Idaho, specifically in southern and central regions of the state. Average peaks of around 4-5 hours of peak sun hours per day with higher values during the summertime. Solar panels are thus very productive year-round, albeit much lower in winter due to fewer days and occasional snow.
Climate Benefits
Idaho’s moderate temperatures make your panels more efficient. Solar panels run better in cold temperatures, and that is a benefit for Idaho compared to warm sites such as Nevada or Arizona. You do need to think about snow piling up in winter months—you might need to clear your panels occasionally for the best performance.
Interconnection Process
Idaho Power reviews interconnection applications within 7 business days to see if the electrical grid needs any upgrades. This relatively quick turnaround helps speed up installations, though any necessary grid upgrades will add to your costs when you’re calculating how much solar panels cost in Idaho.
Permitting Requirements
Idaho uses standardized electrical permitting for solar. The Division of Building Safety handles electrical permits, and pretty much every residential installation needs one before you can connect to the grid. Working with experienced local installers who know Idaho’s requirements makes the permit process much smoother.
Timeline Expectations
Knowing what to expect chronologically assists you in planning your transition to solar:
- Initial Consult to Contract: 1-2 weeks for site investigation, system design, and finance approval.
- Permitting: Allow 2-4 weeks for your local building and electrical permits. The state tries to review plans within ten business days of receipt of plans, though it may take longer depending on your place in line within applications.
- Utility Interconnection Request: Idaho Power considers interconnection within seven business days, as long as it doesn’t identify any system enhancements; it can take longer.
- Installing: One basic home unit takes about one to three days to put on average. What happens depends on how complicated your roof and machinery are.
- Final Check and Grid Connection: Once the work is done, give the utility company one to two weeks to do any last checks and give you permission to turn on the switch.
Full Timeline: Most home installations in Idaho take 2-3 months from signed contract to power generation. More intricate installations or installations that need electrical service upgrades take longer.
Is It Worth Going Solar in Idaho?
When people ask “are solar panels worth it in Idaho?”, the answer for most homeowners in 2025 is absolutely yes. Solar makes financial sense right now, especially with that federal tax credit about to vanish.
You’ve got decreasing equipment costs, generous state and federal solar incentives, and electricity rates that keep going up—it all adds up favorably for solar.
Time matters here. That 30% federal tax credit represents thousands of dollars that completely disappears after December 31, 2025. Idaho’s 40% state tax deduction sweetens the deal even more. 2025 might honestly be the best year we’ll see for solar investment in the foreseeable future.
If you’re wondering how much it costs to install solar panels and whether it’s worth it, the current incentive situation makes the answer pretty clear.
Solar energy frees you from rising power costs, lowers your carbon footprint, and gives you more than just money. Going solar is a great idea if you plan to stay in your home for a long time. It will save you money and help the environment. It will keep paying off for 25 to 30 years or more.
If your home has lots of shade, a north-facing roof, or you’re planning to move within a few years, solar might not make sense. The recent net billing changes also mean you’ll get significantly less for excess energy than in the past, though this mainly affects people who generate way more power than they use.
Consider these factors when you’re evaluating whether solar panels are worth it in Idaho for your specific situation.
How Much Can Solar Panels Save Me in Idaho?
Finding out how much you can save on solar in Idaho is not a straightforward answer. It depends on several factors, including the solar billing of your utility company, the size of a potential solar system on your roof, and your household’s energy consumption. While most solar installers will try to cover all your electricity needs, the actual savings will depend on your home’s unique conditions. To get a personal estimate of how much you could potentially save by going solar, fill out a simple form on our website, use Google’s Project Sunroof solar savings calculator, or consult with a couple of local solar installation companies for a personalized savings calculation.
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Solar Financing Explained
You can pay for solar panels in a couple of ways:
- Cash
- Installer solar loans
- Personal loans
- Cash-out refinance or HELOC
- Solar Leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
First, there is a cash purchase, which in most cases provides the best price and long-term savings, but the upfront payment is not always what you can afford. If you want to own your solar panels and don’t have about $15,000 to $20,000 in the bank, you’ll have to choose solar panel financing.
You can consider a personal loan, a home equity line of credit, or a solar loan offered by the solar company. However, keep in mind that these loans come with interest and additional fees. Solar loans often are tied to dealer fees, which can increase the total cost of your solar system by 20% or more in exchange for a lower interest rate. To ensure you get the best possible deal, it is wise to compare the dealer fees and interest rates offered by different installers. This way, you can make an informed decision based on the most favorable terms available.
Some companies offer solar leases or PPAs that require zero upfront cost. But in such case, you don’t own solar panels and you are not eligible for any solar rebates or the federal tax credit. And, because you have to pay the solar company monthly, your total solar savings will be lower. Ask for detailed savings calculations from a solar installer to decide on the best option. In most cases, you will still be paying less for electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Rank Solar Installers
Our main goal is to provide homeowners like you with top-rated solar companies you can trust. Our solar experts analyzed thousands of local and nationwide installers to get to the bottom of who is best in a specific location. The solar company ranking methodology is based on gathering input from homeowner surveys, consulting with industry experts, and extensive research into the solar energy market. Here are the things we believe are the most important to consider when choosing a solar company.
In short, here’s how we pick top installers:
– Company that has been in business for over five years as it indicates stability, reliability, and successful installations.
– Local solar companies over big national ones covering multiple areas as they can provide better personal attention and know more about the solar needs and regulations in their area.
– Companies with hands-on experience and a wealth of projects under their belt are more likely to deliver efficient and timely installations that cater to specific customer needs.
– Companies that handle their own installations instead of outsourcing to subcontractors ensure a higher caliber of work and nurture a culture of excellence and accountability in service.
– Select a company that has a good overall reputation and reviews on sites like SolarReviews, BBB, Google Maps, and Yelp.
– The company is licensed, insured, and holds relevant certifications such as NABCEP certification.
– Companies that offer a wide selection of high-quality solar panels and related products and work with reputable brands.
– Companies that provide flexible financing options such as solar loans, leases, or power purchase agreements.
– Installers that provide substantial workmanship warranties and system performance guarantees.
Read more:
Our Methodology
What Made Us Choose Sources for Expert Score?
How We Classify Solar Installers: What Matters Most?
What to Look for In a Solar Company
To ensure that you partner with a great provider that can meet your needs of going solar, look for the following:
– Make sure the solar installer has industry-standard certifications, such as those from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), indicating that they meet the gold standard in renewable energy installations. Also, verify if they are licensed, bonded, and insured for residential solar projects in your area. If subcontractors are involved, check their credentials as well.
– Prioritize installers with a proven track record in solar installations, ideally with at least 5+ years of experience. Ask about the number of systems they’ve installed and their project portfolio. A competent installer should openly discuss the solar panels, inverters, and batteries they use if they help to take advantage of local solar incentives and rebates, and warranty coverage specifics.
– Your installer should be forthcoming about the installation process and answer any questions you might have, like “How many solar panels will I need? Why?”, “Can you give me a detailed cost breakdown based on my energy consumption?”, “What solar panel brands do you install? Why?”, etc.. They should also be transparent about their use of subcontractors, detailing their roles and how their work will be supervised.
– A preliminary evaluation of your roof’s condition is the groundwork. The installer should advise on necessary repairs to ensure it’s ready for solar panel installation and clarify responsibilities for any potential roof damage during the process. Discuss aesthetic concerns, such as the placement of solar panels around roof vents or the possibility of relocating vents for a more visually appealing setup.
– Check the installer’s reputation through online reviews and testimonials. They should be able to connect you with past customers willing to share their experiences. Personal recommendations from friends or neighbors who’ve gone solar can also be invaluable.
– Solar installation costs can vary widely, so obtaining multiple quotes is advisable. Experienced installers will adjust their offers to your home’s specifics—size, energy needs, etc. For an objective cost comparison, calculate the price per watt of the proposed system, giving you a standardized basis to evaluate different quotes.
Should You Choose a Local Solar Installer or a Big National Company?
Always choose a local solar company over a big national corporation. Small local companies that operate in a distinct local area are better than multi-state and national solar companies and large corporations. It’s the small local companies who get the best reviews on our website, and it’s the national multistate companies who get very poor reviews. Why so, you may ask?
Solar is a local service business, for the most part, and it is extremely difficult to run a solar company and offer good customer service to many locations from a central office.
Local ones have a community connection, they know better the incentives and regulations in the area, and they simply care more about you than large businesses trying to get into your pocket and overprice you. While multi-state solar companies might try to convince you by financial stability and “quality of installations across different locations”, try to choose a local company that meets all your criteria.
What Does a Solar Installation Look Like?
Here’s how a solar system installation will look like once the design for your solar system is approved:
– First, a solar installer should estimate your energy needs, and analyze your annual and monthly electricity consumption, which you can find on utility bills measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Such calculations will help to understand potential savings, payback period, and the system size you need.
– A home energy audit is something every experienced solar company would do to understand the size and output needed.
– Next question on the list: are your house’s roof conditions good enough for installation? A solar installer should carefully inspect the roof and ensure its conditions and orientation are good to go, how and where to better place solar panels and wire the system.
– Next, they will design the system and show you how it’s going to look.
You will usually need a permit to install solar panels from your local authorities, and the solar provider should handle all the paperwork.
– The entire process might take up to 3 months depending on the state and local regulations, while the system installation is usually up to 3 days (might take longer depending on roof conditions and system complexity).
– The installation crew should always clean up and remove any debris, leaving your house in good condition.
– When the system is installed, it should be checked and approved by local municipality inspection.
– If you’re connecting your system to the grid, it has to be wired to your local utility system. You’ll apply for connection through your utility company, which will also want to inspect your system to ensure it’s following utility guidelines. Some installers may help you with this step, so always ask. Once you have all the permits, your system will be up and running, powering your home with solar.
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