Solar vs. grid power: how much can you save?
Electricity rates are on the rise. The U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that electricity prices in the U.S. rose 6.2% in 2023 alone.
Homeowners across the country are looking for ways to reduce their energy costs and many are turning to solar energy. But just how much can you save with solar and is it worth the investment?
Solar customers can often save tens of thousands of dollars over the lifespan of their solar system. To determine exactly how much you can save, you’ll have to do a little math.
Compare your current cost per kW from Idaho Power Co with the cost per kW of your solar system. Then calculate your monthly or yearly expenses across a 25-year period. Finally, subtract your total cost of energy with solar from your total of energy from the grid to determine your savings
A simpler way to estimate your savings potential is to compare your current monthly energy costs with your projected solar payments. If your energy costs are higher than your solar payments, there is a good chance you will see savings.
At Solar Cost Calculator, we suggest that anybody paying more than $100 a month for electricity should consider solar.
What solar incentives Idaho Power Co does offer?
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-home/rebates-and-offers/
Applicable Sectors : Construction, Residential, Installers/Contractors, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount : Heating and Cooling Efficiency Program Existing Homes Central A/C: $50 - $150 Ground Source Heat Pump: $1,000 - $3,000 Ductless Heat Pump: $500 Water-Source Heat Pump: up to $1,000 Air-Source Heat Pump: $800 Duct Sealing: $200 Electronically Commutated Motor: $50 Evaporative Cooler: $150 Heat Pump Water Heater: $300 Smart Thermostat: $50 Whole-House Fan: $200 New Construction Central A/C: $50 - $150 Ground Source Heat Pump: $3,000 Air-Source Heat Pump: $800 Open-Loop, Water-Source Heat Pump: $1,000 Heat Pump Water Heater: $300
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-business/new-construction-major-renovations/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Construction, Industrial, Federal Government, Installers/Contractors
Incentive Amount : Projects eligible for incentives include: Lighting Air Conditioning Building Shell Controls Appliances and Equipment Refrigeration Compressed Air Equipment See Program Guide for details on incentive amounts.
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/energy-environment/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-business/irrigation-programs/irrigation-efficiency-rewards/
Applicable Sectors : Agricultural
Incentive Amount : Custom Incentive for Existing System Replacement: $0.25/annual kWh saved or $450/kW Custom Incentive for a New System: $0.25/annual kWh saved Menu Incentives for Sprinkler Equipment: Flow-control-type nozzles: $2.50 Nozzles for impact, rotating or fixed head sprinklers: $0.35 Impact or rotating type sprinklers: $0.50 Wheel line levelers: $1.00 Complete low-pressure pivot package (per sprinkler head, nozzle, and regulator): $8.00 Drains for pivots and wheel lines: $3.00 Risercaps and gaskets for hand lines, wheel lines or portable mainline: $1.00 See program application for full details
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/energy-environment/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-business/retrofits/retrofits-idaho/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Federal Government, Agricultural
Incentive Amount : Lighting Incentives vary widely by equipment type. See program details for more information. HVAC/Controls Heat Pumps: up to $130 per ton Air Conditioners: up to $110 per ton Chillers: up to $110 per ton Variable Frequency Drives: $125 per hp See website for other equipment incentives. Food Service Equipment Incentives vary widely by equipment type. See program details for more information. Building Shell Windows*: $2.50 per square foot Reflective Roof Treatment**: $0.05 per square foot Wall Insulation*: up to $0.55 per square foot Ceiling Insulation*: $0.20 per square foot *Available for buildings with electric heat **Available for buildings with central mechanical air conditioning Other Compressed air Motors Fans Dairy Laundry Incentives for each category vary by equipment type. See program details for more information. Custom Incentives Contact [email protected] for details, or See program website
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-business/custom-projects/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Tribal Government, Institutional
Incentive Amount : Custom Efficiency Projects: $0.18/kWh saved or 70% of project cost, whichever is less Energy Management Incentives: $0.025/kWh saved or 100% of project cost, whichever is less
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.ifpower.org/accounts-and-services/energy-efficiency/your-home
Applicable Sectors : Residential
Incentive Amount : Air Source Heat Pump Conversion: Contact IFP Air Source Heat Pump Conversion with Duct Sealing: contact IFP Ground Source Heat Pump: Contact IFP for details Ductless Heat Pump: $1,600.00 Water Heater: $540 - $630 Insulation (Attic, Floor, Wall): Varies, see program website for details Windows: Varies, see program website for details
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/energy-environment/green-choices/solar-power-options-customer-generation/customer-generation/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-home/
Applicable Sectors : Construction, Residential, Installers/Contractors, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-business/new-construction-major-renovations/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Construction, Industrial, Federal Government, Installers/Contractors
Incentive Amount : Projects eligible for incentives include: Lighting Air Conditioning Building Shell Controls Appliances and Equipment Refrigeration Compressed Air Equipment See Program Guide for details on incentive amounts.
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-business/irrigation-programs/irrigation-efficiency-rewards/
Applicable Sectors : Agricultural
Incentive Amount : Custom Incentives Existing System Replacement: $0.25/annual kWh saved or $450/kW New System: $0.25/annual kWh saved Menu Incentives for Sprinkler Equipment New flow-control nozzles: $2.50/unit New nozzles: $0.35/unit New/Rebuilt impact or rotating type sprinklers: $0.50/unit New/Rebuilt wheel line levelers: $1.00/unit New complete low-pressure pivot package: $8/package New drains for pivots and wheel lines: $3/unit New risercaps and gaskets for hand lines, wheel lines, or portable mainline: $1/unit See program application for full details
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-business/retrofits/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Federal Government
Incentive Amount : Lighting Incentives vary widely by equipment type. See program details for more information. HVAC/Controls AC Tune-up: $25/ton (>= 3 ton units) Economizer Repair: $50/ton Air-side economizer: $100/ton Electronically Commutated Motor: $200/motor Hotel/motel control: $75/unit VFDs on HVAC systems: $125-$250/hp Controls: $80-$225/ton (1-5 strategies) Building Shell Reflective roof: $0.05/sq.ft. Wall insulation: $0.40-$0.55/sq.ft. Food Service Auto-closer, low-temp, walk-in: $400/door Automatic high-speed door: $25-$200/sq.ft. door opening Strip curtain: $5/sq.ft. door opening ENERGY STAR Electric combination oven: $300-$800/unit ENERGY STAR Electric steamer: $30/pan ENERGY STAR Commercial ice machine: $300/unit (>= 200lb/day) ENERGY STAR Hot food holding cabinet: $200 - $400/unit On-demand overwrapper: $100/unit VFD on kitchen exhaust or makeup air fan: $250/hp Compressed Air Air compressor VFD: $200/hp Low-pressure drop filter: $10/hp No-loss condensate drain: $200/unit Efficient compressed-air nozzle: $80/unit Laundry ENERGY STAR Washer: $200/washer Dairy VFD on milking vacuum pump: $250 per hp VFD on dairy milk transfer pump: $1,500 per VFD Motor Wall or engine-mounted engine block heater control: $100-$150/unit Notched v-belt: $5/hp ($50 max/motor) High-efficiency battery charger for forklifts: $200/unit Fans High-volume, low-speed fan: $2,000/fan
Implementing Sector : Utility
Category : Financial Incentive
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/ways-to-save/savings-for-your-business/custom-projects/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Tribal Government, Institutional
Incentive Amount : Custom Efficiency Projects: $0.18/kWh saved or 70% of project cost, whichever is less Strategic Energy Management: $0.025/kWh saved or 100% of eligible costs, whichever is less.
Implementing Sector : Utility
Net metering with Idaho Power Co
Category : Regulatory Policy
Website : https://www.idahopower.com/energy-environment/green-choices/solar-power-options-customer-generation/customer-generation/
Applicable Sectors : Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential
Incentive Amount :
Implementing Sector : Utility
Installing and connecting your solar system
When you install a solar system in Idaho Power Co territory, these are steps you can expect to go through:
Once you’ve hired a contractor, you will need to communicate with Idaho Power Co to prepare the interconnection paper. Your contractor will handle most of these responsibilities
After the interconnection agreement has been finalized, your contractor can begin the installation process.
Once your system is installed, it needs to be inspected for safety and code compliance.
After the final inspection, you will receive a written notice within a few days that your system is approved to operate. You can turn on the system yourself or you can contact your installer for further assistance.
Most homeowners prefer to do it themselves. The whole process should only take 10 - 15 minutes.
Is solar worth it for Idaho Power Co customers?
The short and sweet answer is a resounding YES. Going solar is definitely worth it for Idaho Power Co customers. The average homeowner in _UtilityCompanyName_ can save an estimated #### over the lifespan of their solar system.
Going solar is a long game so you need to think several years ahead. It can take a few years to hit your break even period. But between net metering and solar incentives, you can drastically reduce that timeframe.
Want to get an idea for what it will cost you to go solar with Idaho Power Co? You can use our Solar Cost Calculator to generate a customized estimate instantly. We take into consideration a wide range of criteria including location, electric bill, roof size, and other factors. Try it out today and start planning for your future.
