3 Best Solar Companies in Montana (2024 Guide)
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Though Montana uses renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric power, its solar potential is underutilized. According to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the state receives 26% more sunlight than the national average. This means Montana has excellent potential to bring solar energy savings to its residents.
Our team invested more than 60 hours into finding the best solar installer options throughout the state, plus regional and national providers serving the area. These are the best solar companies for Montana residents.
Compare Solar Panel Installers in Montana
Montana’s Top Solar Energy Companies
- Best B Corp Montana Installer: Onsite Energy
- Best Local Montana Installer: Independent Power Systems
- Best Solar Tech: Tesla
Our Picks for Solar Panel Installation in Montana
Tesla Solar
Best Solar Tech
Learn more: Tesla Solar Panels Review
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 For Montana Homeowners?
Although Montana offers limited solar incentives, homeowners still have opportunities to save on solar system costs. With the federal tax credit, homeowners receive up to 30% off installation costs. This credit applies to your owed federal taxes helping reduce or eliminate your tax liability. The Renewable Energy Systems Exemption also provides additional tax relief for property taxes. Under this tax exemption, residents avoid the added property tax for 10 years. You benefit from the added home value of a solar system without the additional taxation.
Montana’s net metering program allows homeowners to earn future utility bill credits by returning excess energy to the power grid. The Montana Public Service Commission (PSC) mandates the programs for all state utility companies and electric cooperatives. However, the kilowatt-hour (kWh) payout rate is not regulated, so they vary between companies. Homeowners should check with their utility company for program details and applications.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
As you shop for solar installation companies, compare benefits such as solar services, financing options, and customer service. We’ve highlighted key company features to consider below.
Solar Services
An in-house or third-party team will complete your solar panel installation. In-house installers work directly for the company, providing better communication and high-quality installations. With third-party contractors, system installation could vary by project. In addition, you’ll have an additional point of contact during the process, making communication more difficult between all parties involved.
Solar providers may offer solar services to support your solar panel performance, such as system monitoring or mobile apps. Additional services include home efficiency upgrades, energy monitoring equipment, or roofing services. Below is a list of optional services offered by solar providers:
- Mobile app or web portal
- Electrical services
- Energy efficiency audits and upgrades
- Home energy monitoring
- Roofing services
- Smart home device installations
- Solar system monitoring
Warranties
Since solar panels last 25 years or longer, you’ll want warranty coverage that aligns with that estimated life span. Solar providers typically include several warranty types to protect your solar investment. Here’s an overview of common warranty coverage:
- Manufacturer’s (or product) warranty: This warranty plan offers protection against any manufacturing defects or issues.
- Workmanship (or labor) warranty: This coverage protects your system when problems result from poor installation.
- Power performance guarantee: This plan outlines the estimated linear performance of panels through the warranty length and offers replacement or repair options for panels that fall below these outlined levels.
Solar power system warranties vary between providers and equipment manufacturers. Your provider may offer one of all of the above options. Our research found that higher-quality residential panels have longer warranty plans than cheaper solar panels.
Payment Options
Installers usually offer two or more solar financing options to accommodate different homeowners’ budgets. Some options, such as up-front payments and solar loans, offer added financial benefits such as qualification for solar incentives, rebates, and credits. We’ve highlighted the most common financing options solar panel companies offer:
- Up-front (or cash) payments: Customers pay the full, up-front costs for solar panels and become the legal owner.
- Solar loans: Homeowners make monthly payments on system costs for a set timeframe but legally own the solar system.
- Solar leases: Homeowners rent the solar system from providers and pay monthly fees.
- Power purchase agreements (PPAs): The provider retains system ownership and charges homeowners for their monthly energy usage only.
Cash payments and solar loans offer the most financial benefits, such as legal ownership. We recommend choosing one of these options over system leasing unless system ownership is not your priority.
Customer Support
Solar installers should offer multiple means of customer service communication. Check each company’s website for customer support hours and communication methods. Typical methods include mail, online form, phone, and online chat. During secret shopping, we discovered many online chats use live agents, automated messages, or a mixture of both. Also, check company reviews for any mentions of poor communication, customer service issues, or unfriendly representatives.
How To Get a Solar Quote in Montana
You should request solar quotes from multiple solar companies and compare costs, services, and warranty coverage. Below is a step-by-step guide covering the typical solar quotes process.
- Schedule a consultation: Visit each company’s website to begin the solar quote process. Many companies offer virtual or in-person consultations. Set aside at least two hours for each appointment.
- Have your energy bill on hand: The consultant will review your energy bill to determine your average usage and solar electric system size. Although some companies require only the latest bill, others will request multiple electric bills to account for any usage fluctuations.
- Assess your roof space: The company rep will check your roof in person or using satellite technology. During their inspection, they check for available roof space, nearby shading, or roof elements that may complicate the installation process. Depending on your solar panel type, you may need ample room to accommodate more solar panels.
- Complete your system design: After completing the previous reviews, the solar installer will begin your system design. During this step, you select your preferred panel type and brand, the system’s components, and add battery storage or electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
- Review each final quote: Your quote will include itemized details on all solar equipment, costs, labor charges, and warranty coverage. You’ll also see your financing options and estimated solar payback period. Gather your final quotes and compare them to find the best deals.
Our Conclusion
OnSite Energy tops our list of the best Montana solar providers. We recommend getting at least three free quotes from nearby solar providers to find the right fit for your home.
FAQ About Solar Companies in Montana
What are the benefits of solar in Montana?
Some benefits of going solar in Montana include long-term energy savings, reduced carbon footprint, and a home value boost. Montana offers solar incentives, such as net metering and property tax exemption, that provide additional savings for moving to solar energy.
Does Montana have a solar tax credit?
No, Montana does not have a state-level solar state tax credit. Residents should apply for the federal solar tax credit instead to receive up to 30% off their solar system costs.
How long does Montana’s solar property tax exemption last?
Homeowners receive 10 years of 100% exemption under Montana’s property tax exemption law.
Does Montana have net metering?
Yes, Montana mandates net metering for all utility companies in the state. The program allows residents to earn bill credits for returning excess energy to the grid. Payout rates vary per company, so you should contact your utility company for full program details.
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 Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.