Installing solar panels on your home in Montana is a wise investment. Privately operated utilities must provide consumers with complete retail net metering in accordance with state legislation. When installing a renewable energy system on their land, homeowners in Montana can also claim a personal tax credit.
For Montana homes, adopting solar energy is a great option because of full net metering, the state tax credit, and the 26% federal tax credit. Here are the top solar companies in Montana to consider.
OnSite Energy
Our number one solar company in Montana is OnSite Energy. The transition away from dependency on highly polluting traditional energy sources is among the most significant features of renewable energy. Our air, water, and soil quality are all negatively impacted by emissions based on carbon.
In order to conserve the biological integrity of the land and animal habitat that local conservation organizations have already fought so hard to protect from development and fragmentation, we should take the next step by powering our lives with clean, renewable energy. So selecting sustainable solar installations is also choosing to conserve. To encourage the natural link between the two, OnSite Energy has teamed up with regional conservation groups and is giving its clients the opportunity to give 1% of the total cost of their solar power system to any participating conservation group of their choosing.
SBS Solar
SBS Solar is a solar company in Montana with over 30 years of expertise servicing the western part of the state. The SBS team is committed to offering residential and commercial customers in Montana access to clean, sustainable solar energy.
Its livelihood depends on the goods we sell. SBS offers the design and installation expertise to support you whether you’re looking for a grid-tie system, battery backup, or an entire off-grid application. In addition to being a qualified installer for NorthWestern Energy and a SolarWorld Authorized Installer, SBS Solar employs two NABCEP Certified Installers.
Solar IPS
Solar IPS is among the top Montana solar companies. Full-service clean energy development corporation Impact Power Solutions, A New Energy Equity Company. It has been delivering consumer solutions for more than 30 years, from rooftop installations to multi-megawatt community solar gardens. The goal of the business has always been to use solar energy to benefit people, the electricity grid, and the environment.
All businesses strive to make money and add value, but the best-run businesses go beyond. They approach corporate responsibility in a broader, more comprehensive way that is centered on generating benefits for everyone. This kind of thinking has guided the company for 30 years, prioritizing long-term success over immediate advantages. As it expands, so does the good it does for the customers, the areas it serves, and the environment. The goal is to increase both the effect on and off the balance sheet.
Solar Montana
Since 2005, Solar Montana has been successfully installing the best solar panel installations in central Montana. As a long-term investment, solar energy requires a contractor that can address concerns and provide maintenance for the equipment they install. Its contractors are outstanding workers that are passionate about what they do, in addition to being competent, dependable, and instructive. The solar sector has expanded rapidly during the last few decades. As a result, Solar Montana makes it a point to keep current on the most dependable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly technology for clients.
Comparing solar installations cost with anticipated savings is a key component of solar energy investment. Solar Montana can create a solar array that is unique to your location and energy requirements, thanks to its cutting-edge modeling technologies. You may monitor the performance of your solar array during its whole lifespan to observe how it is doing after installation.
Solar energy in Montana is appealing to people for a variety of reasons. Reduced utility costs, reduced environmental impact, and energy independence. Whatever your solar energy objectives may be, Solar Montana is here to support you with the greatest knowledge, goods, and installations.
Solar Plexus LLC
A family-run solar company in Montana with headquarters in Missoula was established in 1994 as a retail sales and installation of a renewable energy system. Rip Hamilton joined the group in 2000 after Lee Tavenner and Mary Hamilton got things going.
It is still a retail business with a focus on customer service, renewable energy system consultations, and solar installations.
It is relocated at 1002 Burlington Avenue, Suite 100, just across from the Subaru dealership.
Here are some examples of many uses for this fantastic resource in case you are looking to purchase a solar energy system or are simply interested in learning more about it. For people who currently have access to grid electricity at their homes or places of business, solar panels can be a viable option. The meter cycles backward when solar power exceeds the loads, giving the owner credit for their extra electricity, which may be utilized later when the sun isn’t shining. This is known as grid-tied solar or net-metered solar. In other words, there is no power interruption, and you gain from retail prices for every watt you create.
In distant areas without a utility line, solar installations are also highly effective (this is called off-grid). Examples of these kinds of systems that require battery storage include distant cottages, boats, and RVs that are used to pump water for livestock.
What Size Solar System Do I Need?
This will depend on how much energy your home consumes on an annual and monthly basis. An “average” Montanan would require a system that is between 4kW and 7kW in order to offset the majority of their energy demand. This will change based on a variety of elements, such as the roof angle, the direction the roof faces, the amount of space that is available, how much energy is used, etc. Asking your solar installer about the specifics of the system you should think about will provide you with all the information you need. A site evaluation is usually the first stage in an installation. It involves knowing all of those physical factors as well as information about your energy consumption and, most importantly, your energy objectives.
The size system that would work best for you may then be discussed between you and your installer. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s online PVWatts Calculator may be used to calculate your potential energy and cost savings after you have a general concept of the system size and configuration that would best suit your requirements.
Solar Incentives in Montana?
The Montana Public Services Commission came through in a significant manner for 2020 and beyond, even if the state’s legislators haven’t done anything to make it easier for you to go solar. In that year, NorthWestern Energy made an effort to push through a really evil plan that would have eliminated net metering, reduced reimbursement for surplus solar energy produced by residential solar panels, and added new costs for solar owners. Thank goodness the PSC not only rejected the idea but also gave a clear “NO” answer.
NorthWestern’s plan was rejected by the PSC, and the commission also decided that net metering would remain the norm until distributed solar power accounts for up to 5% of the utility’s peak load. You’ll have reliable net metering for years to come in Montana since there is presently enough rooftop solar installed to cover around 1% of the state’s peak demand.
Do you want to install solar panels in your house? With net metering, you receive a 100% credit for every kilowatt-hour your solar panels produce, allowing you to save as much money as possible and accelerate the cost-to-benefit of solar. You can count on net metering in Montana because of the state’s dedication to it.
What Is the Price of Solar Power System in Montana?
Costs for a typical household PV system, including installation, range from $10,000 to $20,000. However, you could be able to cut the price of your system by as much as 50% owing to incentives and tax credits. Solar PV has become much less expensive over time and will likely continue to do so. You should be aware that additional factors, like the type of inverter you choose, the mounting system you employ, etc., might affect the cost of your system in addition to the installation size (i.e., the number of kilowatts you install). Ask your installer about each of these possibilities so they can give you their advice on which will suit your needs the best.
Once you have an estimate, you may use the information provided by our partners at the Clearwater Credit Union to decide whether solar would be a wise investment for you. According to their study, solar investments are frequently profitable, but results may vary depending on your particular system, financial condition, and projections for the future. To assist you in making decisions, Clearwater Credit Union created a clear financial analysis that you may read on its website.
