Top 5 Best Solar Companies in Wyoming (2024 Reviews)

Watch Below: Learn How Solar Energy Storage Works and Whether It’s RIght For You

How Can You Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In Wyoming?

The average solar power system in Wyoming costs around $29,610 before any incentives, which assumes your energy needs demand a system size of 9 kilowatts — average for the state — and that you pay the typical $3.29 per watt for your PV equipment. Although this total is slightly below the national average, it’s still too expensive for many homeowners to justify.

Thankfully, there are some things you can do to bring down your system cost as well as maximize your long-term energy savings and get a higher return on investment on your Wyoming solar conversion. Some tips we have for accomplishing both of these include:

• Taking advantage of the solar benefit programs available in Wyoming
• Choosing a company that offers a workmanship warranty whenever possible
• Getting a few solar quotes for your system installation

We’ll explain how these tips can save you money on your system in the sections below.

Take Advantage of Solar Benefit Programs

In our opinion, there are few strategies better for saving money on your solar panel system than taking the incentives and rebates available in your area. All told, the benefit programs in The Cowboy State can save you thousands of dollars.

The table below includes brief information about all of the solar benefit programs available to Wyoming residents. You can get more details on these and how to file for them by heading over to our complete guide to solar perks in WY.

Opt for a Workmanship Warranty, Even If It’s More Expensive

Next, we suggest choosing a company that includes a lengthy workmanship warranty, ideally longer than the industry average of ten years. Labor warranties are great to have no matter where you live, but they can be especially helpful in WY.

Wyoming residents see double the national average amount of snow each year.² Roof leaks are one of the most commonly reported issues with solar roof penetrations, but they’re even more of a risk in WY due to the long exposure to moisture in the winter.

Workmanship warranties can sometimes come at a higher price, but they can often save you money over time if they help prevent leaks and resulting property damage.

Get Multiple Quotes

Finally, we suggest that you get a quote from different providers in your area. An identical solar system from two different installers can yield wildly different price tags because of labor costs and the quality of the equipment included. Getting a few free quotes lets you compare and find the lowest price that provides the best value.

See Also: Calculate How Much You Can Save By Going Solar

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In Wyoming?

Yes, installing PV panels in WY is expected to make your home more valuable. Research from Zillow shows that home values tend to increase by about 4.1% following solar conversion.³ That’s an average of nearly $13,741, based on current property values in the state.⁴

The value benefit from going solar is expected to be most significant in larger cities where property values tend to be higher. That means places like Cheyenne, Rock Springs, Gillette and Laramie are likely to see the largest value increase from solar.

We should also mention that, based on data from Oil City News, solar has gained particular popularity in Casper, so residents there are likely to see more upside from solar conversion than homeowners in other cities.⁵

Should Wyoming Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?

Homeowners with DIY experience often wonder if they can install solar energy systems on their homes themselves. DIY solar conversion is possible, and it should save you around $10,000 on your installation costs. However, there are some significant downsides to installing your own panels that can negate those savings.

Some things to consider include:

• DIY panels have shorter warranties or none at all
• DIY panels aren’t as efficient as professional ones
• Roof leaks are more common with DIY solar installations

We’ll explain below why each of these drawbacks has led us to the conclusion that paying more for a professional installation is worthwhile in WY.

DIY Panel Warranties Aren’t As Good

The first significant downside to installing your own panels in WY is that they don’t come with the same warranties as those installed by professionals.

Most DIY panel brands come with guarantees for the equipment for 15 years and the efficiency for ten years, but there is no labor guarantee. Professional systems have much better coverage, typically including 25 years for the equipment and efficiency and ten years for the workmanship.

In Wyoming, we believe the workmanship warranty is the most crucial piece of the puzzle lacking in DIY systems. The state sees double the national average amount of snowfall each year, meaning roof leaks from prolonged moisture exposure are a high risk in the area.

You might save money on your installation by doing it yourself, but you stand to risk much more in property damage if the installation isn’t covered by a warranty.

Roof Leaks Are More Common With DIY Systems

Not only are roof leaks not covered when you install your photovoltaic (PV) system yourself, but they’re also more common. Roof shingle penetrations are always a risk, but any errors made during the installation process make them even more of a risk. Of course, DIYers with no experience installing panels are far more likely to do things incorrectly.

Again, installing your system yourself will undoubtedly save you money, but you also open yourself up to more expensive property damage as a result. Ultimately, we don’t think the up-front savings are worth the risk or the peace of mind you’ll miss out on by hiring an expert.

DIY Panel Brands Aren’t As Efficient

Finally, the panel brands available to DIYers usually have less appealing efficiency ratings. Even the best of these — like Renogy and WindyNation — average between 15% and 18%, while professionally installed brands average between 20% and 23%.

High panel efficiencies cost more initially, but they can save you more over time and eventually be worth the investment. This is especially true in areas like WY, where the net metering policy uses a below-retail rate for energy credits.

The most efficient solar panels, like those from SunPower, Tesla and Panasonic generate more excess power to offset more of your utility bills, maximizing your energy savings.

What Should Wyoming Residents Look For in a Solar Installer?

Wyoming residents don’t have a terribly overwhelming number of options when it comes to solar installers, but even deciding between the ones that do service the area can be time-consuming and confusing. To help you choose a reliable company that meets your needs more easily in Wyoming, we think it’s important to focus on the following qualities:

• Panel efficiency
• Warranty coverage
• Price and payment options available

We’ll explain why we recommend focusing on these three factors in the sections below.

Panel Efficiency

The first thing we suggest looking for in a solar provider is top solar panel brands with above-average efficiency ratings.

Wyomingites see an above-average number of sunny days per year, but the sunlight is less intense than in most states given the northern location. Lower intensity means a lower rate of power generation. A high-efficiency panel can help offset losses from a lack of intensity and save you more on your effective electricity rates.

Plus, Wyoming offers net energy metering, but the credits for excess energy are provided at a rate that’s below the retail rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Highly efficient panels help maximize the credits you earn and edge you closer to eliminating your energy costs.

Warranty Coverage

Next, we suggest taking a close look at the solar warranty coverage offered by the companies you’re considering. Many installers in WY have below-average warranty packages, and lengthier, more robust warranties are more likely to serve you well and save you money down the road.

We suggest prioritizing the workmanship warranty. The heavy snowfall in WY means roof leaks are more common in the area than in many other states, and a workmanship warranty helps keep you financially insulated from leaks and resulting property damage.

Price and Payment Options

Finally, we suggest considering the overall cost of your system from each provider and the payment options available to you.

Wyoming solar systems cost around the national average in terms of price, but that still means you’ll be on the hook for around $29,600 before incentives and tax credits. Choosing a company like GenPro Energy Solutions that keeps prices well below average can be a great way to save money on your system and improve your return on investment.

We also suggest considering the payment options available to you. Most installers in Wyoming only accept cash payments and solar loans. If you know you need or prefer a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA) to afford your system, that can be an easy way to rule out some providers in your area.

Solar Veteran

4.5/5

Certified B CorpOutstanding customer serviceMany years of experience

Get Free Quote

Great Social Impact

4.5/5

Women-ownedBilingual service associatesCertified B Corp

Get Free Quote

Outstanding Regional Installer

4/5

Comprehensive service offeringsLocally owned and operatedOutstanding customer service

Get Free Quote

The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.

Methodology: How We Ranked Wyoming’s Solar Companies

We’ve done a lot of research on the solar installers that service Wyoming residents like you. Not only have we put the time and energy into reviewing each, but we also rank them based on factors that we believe are the most crucial to residents in WY specifically. Our ranking system for local installers is as follows:

• Solar Warranty & Customer Support (20%)
• Price & Solar Financing Options (20%)
• Availability (15%)
• Experience (15%)
• Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications (10%)
• Solar Services (10%)
• Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Factors (10%)

We should also mention that we never let our methodology be affected by our relationships in the solar industry, so you can always rest assured that our recommendations are unbiased. We’ll explain below why we think our ranking factors are most crucial to WY residents.

Solar Warranty & Customer Support

The first thing we look for in installers in WY is warranty coverage. It seems to be the norm in Wyoming that installers provide less than the industry standard for warranty coverage, so we believe it’s extra important to choose an installer with good coverage to protect your system and your home.

We rank companies as average in this category if they have at least 25 years of protection for equipment, 20 to 25 years for the panel production and ten years for workmanship. Companies that have lengthier warranties get perfect scores.

Price & Financing Options

The adoption rate for solar is notoriously low in WY, and part of the reason for that is high equipment costs and a lower-than-average return on investment. Companies like GenPro that keep costs low get higher ratings in this category. Not only do they save you money, but they help increase solar adoption and panel value in the state.

We also give precedence to installers that offer a wealth of financing options, including cash purchases, in-house loans, solar leases and PPAs. Offering options means greater accessibility to all potential customers.

Availability

Many of the installers in WY only serve a small portion of the state. This is likely the case with companies like The Solar Guys, GenPro and WYCO Wind and Solar because the overall demand is low. Installers can save time and money by limiting their service areas.

However, since installers with a limited service area will appeal to fewer residents in WY, we rank those higher that serve the entire state.

Experience in Wyoming

Since the market for clean energy in Wyoming is really just starting to blossom, a lot of companies in the area only have a year or two of experience. Less experienced companies are more likely to run into problems with the installation and permitting process, and they’re more likely to go out of business and leave you with no warranty coverage.

For these reasons, we rank companies as average in this category if they have at least five years of experience working in the renewable energy industry in WY specifically. Installers with ten or more years of experience get perfect marks.

Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications

Next, we look at each installer’s qualifications and certifications to ensure we recommend companies that can carry out a professional and trustworthy installation. This is especially important in an area like WY, where many companies are still young and lack the history that gives customers confidence in the services provided.

Some things we look for to establish a company’s expertise and reputation include:

• Certification from NABCEP
• Certification from LEED (Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design)
• Certification from BPI (Building Performance Institute)
• 100 4-to-5-star reviews on Google
• A lack of customer complaints on BBB
• A high BBB rating
• BBB accreditation
• A lack of customer lawsuits

Solar Services

Our penultimate criterion for recommending high-quality and reputable installers in Wyoming is the panel brands and services they offer. As mentioned above, the panel brand is a crucial factor to consider, as high-efficiency brands can help eliminate energy bills and save you money despite the net metering policy in WY being less than ideal.

We also rank companies higher if they offer more than the standard panel and battery installations. Companies with other services — like solar water heater installations, off-grid solar and community solar — get higher scores in this category.

Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance Factors

Finally, we consider each installer’s impact on the environment and the communities it serves. Specifically, we look for:

• Some system for recycling old PV panels
• Sustainable business practices that don’t include (or offset the use of) fossil fuels
• Public data disclosure
• Solar solutions for low-income households
• An affiliation with local solar organizations and nonprofits