Your Idaho Solar Energy Experts
Here's our insights from 10,000+ installs, and 15 years in business in the Gem State.
Here's our insights from 10,000+ installs, and 15 years in business in the Gem State.
Since 1999, Big Dog Solar has been the leading provider of solar solutions in Idaho. With over 10,000 successful installations under our belt, we take pride in being the go-to solar company for residential and commercial customers across the state. As a locally owned and operated business, our entire workforce is comprised of Idaho locals who are passionate about bringing clean, renewable energy to our communities.
Many Idaho homeowners have considered going solar. Many have asked us if it’s even worth it with the Idaho winters, and snow and hail that we have here. It’s actually not worth it for everyone, but it can work great for some people. Despite our reputation, Idaho is actually a fairly sunny state.
When you’re using solar, you can use the extra sun to bring in some energy credits through net metering.
You might be wondering if solar will work for you. After all, Idaho’s home to long winters, right?
We want you to make a good decision about solar, here’s what you need to know before going solar in Idaho. We’ll talk about our climate, the pros and cons, local tax incentives and the different utility companies. Let’s get into it!
Many people associate solar energy with hot areas. It’s not the heat that’s important, but the energy from the sun coming down that’s important. That energy comes in the form of light.
Wether or not a state is good for solar, is determined by how many sunny days a state has. We need to look at the rain or snow, cloud cover, and obstructions like tree cover or heavy dust.
Humidity in general is low throughout the state. However, Idaho is known for its snowy winters, especially in the mountains.
Average annual rainfall varies from 10.4 inches in Twin Falls to 15 to 25.9 inches in Coeur d’Alene. Mean snowfall can be as high as 52.2 inches in the mountains. This means that during winter, you will need a way to brush snow from your solar panels.
Idaho is fairly sunny for most of the year. When you look at data recording how many sunny days the state gets, the average is quite high state-wide. In Boise, the average is 210 sunny days a year– almost 60% of the time!
These are the peak solar days. Even cloudy days can frequently generate a little power, and you’ll store so much solar energy on your good days that you’ll have plenty stored for night and gray days.
Idaho is home to a lot of trees. In fact, it’s the state with the greatest percentage of land devoted to national forests. If you live in the southwestern part of the state, you won’t have to worry much about tree cover. This region is part of the Great Basin Desert and the Oywhee Desert.
If your home is in a wooded area, find the area that receives the most sunlight to place your solar panels. If you’re worried about tree growth, or a neighbor building something that blocks your sunlight, there’s a solution for that. It’s called an easement.
This is a process where you can file with the state of Idaho to protect your right to receiving sunshine. Learn about easements. If you decide you need to file one, then talk to a local legal expert that knows how to file them.
Idaho makes it easy to set up a solar easement along your property. This is voluntary. If you aren’t predicting serious tree growth or building construction near your property, it doesn’t need to be done.
Every energy source has its benefits and drawbacks. Before you make a decision, you need to consider the pros and cons of solar systems to figure out if solar is the right choice for you.
Here are the key benefits of going solar in Idaho.
Solar systems are amazing investments, but they do come with a few drawbacks. Here are some of the things that people don’t like about solar in Idaho.
You may be more well suited than you think. Get your solar readiness score.
Many of us still think of solar panels as huge, bulky, heavy panels that take up a ton of space and don’t produce very much electricity. But solar panels are much more than just a green-washed publicity stunt; advances in solar technology makes solar energy a reliable, inexpensive, and relatively easy alternative for a lot of Idaho residents. Here are some of the most common misconceptions about solar energy.
Recently, there have been many ads for free solar programs in Idaho. Some even promote a free federal solar program. The truth is that there’s no free solar program. There are tax incentives, and financing options, but anyone promising free solar is trying to trick you.
The price of daytime electricity where you live and the existence of tax incentives help make solar power worth it. Solar panels continue to become cheaper each year.
The price of daytime electricity where you live and the existence of tax incentives help make solar power worth it. Solar panels continue to become cheaper each year.
The US solar industry is expected to reach the $10-$15 billion level in the next 20 years and provide 300,000 jobs by 2025. This sustained growth exceeds that of the semiconductor industry.
Solar panels need cleaning, but there aren’t a lot of moving parts that need maintenance. You can install guards to keep things from getting under the panels.
There has been a major market shift in the solar industry. It has shifted from almost completely remote, off-grid products to nearly 60% grid-connected, distributed power. You can still draw grid power for emergencies– solar just means you’ll pay less in the long run and generate clean energy. Of course, if you want to go completely off-grid, you can do that with solar storage batteries.
Idahoans who switch to solar power have lots of financial incentives to do so. The state and federal governments offer very appealing rewards for those who install solar panels on their property. These incentives include the following:
This program allows homeowners to deduct 40% of the cost of your solar panel equipment and installation from your personal income taxes the first year, with an additional 20% deduction for the following three years after installation. This maxes out at $5,000 per year, or $20,000 total.
This federal program, also called the Investment Tax Credit, allows you to apply 30% of the cost of your solar system as a credit to your federal tax bill. This will be available until 2033, when it will drop to 26%. There’s no cap on the value, but you do have to own the solar system rather than lease it.
Net metering isn’t mandated, but all four of the state’s main providers (Idaho Power, Rocky Mountain Power, Avista Utilities, and Idaho Falls Power) offer credit for all of the extra energy you put into the grid. Not all of their net metering programs are created equal. Idaho Power is in the process of changing theirs, and Idaho Falls generally has a financially disadvantageous net metering plan.
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is a federal program that assists farmers and other people in rural areas with renewable energy. It provides grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy projects in rural areas. These funds can be used for solar installations on agricultural properties, rural businesses, and farms in Idaho, so you don’t have to worry as much about the up-front costs of a solar system.
At Big Dog Solar we service nearly all of southern Idaho. We even serve parts of central Idaho. We’ve completed thousands of installations in the area.
Here’s a quick view of the counties that we service here.
Now that you understand the many benefits of solar energy, how do you get started? The first thing you need to do is find a reliable solar installer. They’ll come out and take measurements, making sure that you get an ideal setup.
Then, your solar company will work with you on plans and design. Their energy experts will figure out the right configuration of panels for your home’s energy needs.
The next step is permitting. This is something your solar company can help with– they can arrange all of the permits and submit information to the relevant authorities.
Then, once that clears, it’s installation time! Your installation company will send out their pros to make your solar plans a reality.
After that, your installation will be inspected, and your meter company will perform a meter swap. This is where you can earn energy credits for the extra power you produce, so that you can have access to power for no extra cost in winter or cloudy weather.
Finally, your solar system is ready to turn on and start working for you!
Big Dog Solar
620 Pheasant Ridge Dr. Pocatello, ID 83201
(800) 291-SOLAR