Edison Electric has been a trusted electrical contractor in the Missoula area for 22 years, and their move into solar installation has established them as Montana's top-ranked solar company. Based in Missoula, they serve the western Montana market where environmental consciousness runs high and off-grid living is more common than in most states.
What earned Edison Electric the top spot was their perfect 5.0-star rating across 642 Google reviews, combined with over two decades of electrical contracting expertise. In a state where solar installations must withstand heavy snow, extreme cold, and occasional wildfire smoke that affects panel output, having an installer with deep local knowledge makes a real difference.
The company is NABCEP certified and works with equipment rated for Montana's demanding conditions. Their electrical contracting background means they handle the full scope of installation work in-house, from panel mounting to electrical integration and utility interconnection.
Edison Electric also serves the growing market for battery storage and off-grid systems in western Montana, where remote properties rely on solar as a primary power source rather than a supplement.
With a composite score of 74.5, Edison Electric is our top-ranked solar company in Montana for 2026.
“Brett and Jayden did an excellent job running power to the hot tub and hooking everything up. They took the time to explain each step of the process clearly, making sure we understood how everything...”
Kaylee R.
“We had a really good experience going solar with Edison Electric. From the first consultation to the final install, everything went smoothly. They were easy to talk to, answered our questions, and...”
Heaven D.
“Edison Electric was awesome to work with during our remodel. They pay so much attention to detail and make sure everything is up to code. They ran new circuits for what was needed and stayed within...”
Brady M.
“These guys did a phenomenal job. They were quick, explained everything they were doing, and also worked over the weekend to fit us into their busy schedule! Couldn’t be happier with the service we...”
David G.
“Highly recommend Edison Electric. I contacted them about installing a a level 2 Tesla EV charger in my garage. Brett came over the next day to check my panel and give me an estimate. Two days...”
Promise H.
“Edison Electric did an excellent job getting our solar array fixed up. One of our panels cracked, and they took the time to order the exact same make and model so everything matched and worked like...”
Kaylee M.
“Jayden and Jace came by to help with some outlets repairs and were more then amazing. They were able to get everything done in a timely manner and kept a clean environment. awesome company”
Hannah T.
“We love Edison electric! Brett and his sons worked so hard and got our entire house up to date with new recessed lighting, smoke detectors, garage work etc. in a matter of 3.5 days and it was no easy...”
Independent Power has been designing and installing solar energy systems across Montana since 1996, making them one of the longest-operating renewable energy firms in the northern Rocky Mountain region. Originally founded in Bozeman, the company, also known as Independent Power Systems or iPOW, has built a nearly three-decade track record of helping Montana homeowners and businesses break free from high utility costs through solar and battery storage solutions. Their longevity in a state where the solar market has historically been small and seasonal speaks to genuine technical competence and financial stability.
The company holds NABCEP certification and employs an in-house team of engineers, licensed electricians, and certified installers who handle every phase of a project from initial site assessment through final commissioning. Independent Power is recognized as a SunPower Elite Dealer, a designation reserved for the top-performing installation partners in SunPower's national network. Their design work accounts for Montana's specific challenges, including heavy snow loads, high winds, and the wide seasonal variation in solar irradiance that characterizes the northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain corridor.
Through the acquisition of Windward Electric LLC, Independent Power expanded their service offerings to include electric vehicle charging stations, high-efficiency heat pumps, and smart electrical panel upgrades. This diversification reflects a broader trend in the renewable energy industry, but Independent Power was ahead of the curve in recognizing that solar customers increasingly want a single contractor who can address their full electrification needs rather than piecemealing solutions across multiple vendors.
With a 4.9-star Google rating across 375 verified reviews, Independent Power maintains an excellent customer satisfaction record. Their review volume is modest compared to installers in more populated states, but that is consistent with Montana's smaller market size. The quality of their feedback is uniformly strong, with customers highlighting thorough system design, clean installations, and responsive warranty support. The company's award-winning reputation within the Montana renewable energy community further validates their standing.
With a composite score of 73.8 out of 100, Independent Power earns the number two ranking among solar companies in Montana for 2026.
“I cannot say enough good things about Independent Power. If a ten-star rating were available, I would give them 10 out of 10 without hesitation.
I recently purchased two premium Lennox Signature...”
Matthew E.
“We used IPS for solar about 8 years ago and had a perfect experience. They even got us last-minute upgraded commercial panels with better output for the same price. Eight years later and they are...”
Ian M.
“We recently had solar panels installed at our home in Nederland and had a good experience overall. The team was notably responsive throughout the process, answering our questions quickly without...”
Billy P.
“We recently gave our display building a new look and with that we added lights in the soffits.
Josh did an amazing job helping me plan things out with the placement and type of lighting. Jadon and...”
Ralph F.
“If you are considering upgrading your home power management systems, I have some very good input for you. I recently had Independent Power install 20kWh of batteries and integrate the Enphase...”
Mendy H.
“This company is great to work with. Josh was very helpful getting everything scheduled. Jadon, Alonso, and Marino were great too. They were right on time and got started right away. They answered all...”
Eric S.
“I reached out to Josh at independent power to have an ev charger hardwired to my house. Josh was very communicative with the quote and had my install scheduled within days of me reaching out. Jaden...”
Rand M.
“Independent Solar was wonderful to work with and did an excellent job from start to finish!
Harrison, Rhys, Kevin and Adam did a wonderful job with the panel installation! Rick finalized the hooking...”
SBS Solar has built one of the deepest solar resumes in Western Montana, with installation work that traces back to 1985 when founder Dan Brandborg helped pioneer off-grid solar in the Bitterroot Valley through his earlier company Sunelco. Today SBS operates from offices at 1819 Kensington Avenue and 3225 Helena Drive in Missoula, and the firm is a Montana State Registered Contractor (license #158052) with a service territory that covers Missoula, Hamilton, Polson, and the broader Western Montana corridor.
What stood out to our research team is the bench of NABCEP-credentialed staff working under one roof. Dan Brandborg holds NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer status (certification #031409-14), Ralph Walters carries an SEI-NABCEP credential, and Flynt Brandborg is a NABCEP Associate. That kind of multi-generational expertise is uncommon in a market the size of Montana, and it shows in the company's project portfolio, which spans residential rooftop and ground-mount systems, a U.S. Forest Service installation at Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and long-running residential systems that have generated more than 23 megawatt hours since 2010 according to documented case studies.
The numbers behind their reputation reinforce the technical resume. SBS Solar holds a 4.81 out of 5 rating across 86 reviews on SolarReviews with an Elite Expert Rating designation, and 83 of those reviews are five stars with zero ratings of three stars or lower. Their Google profile shows a perfect 5.0-star average across 140 reviews. The company is a Solar Energy Industries Association member, a NorthWestern Energy Qualified Installer, and a SolarWorld Authorized Installer, with SolarEdge featured prominently in their monitoring infrastructure. Customers should note that SBS is a smaller, deliberately scaled operation focused on Western Montana rather than statewide, so homeowners in Billings or eastern Montana may need to look elsewhere.
As a locally owned company with roots that predate the modern solar industry, SBS Solar brings firsthand familiarity with Montana's high-altitude conditions, NorthWestern Energy interconnection requirements, and the specific permitting workflows of Missoula County and surrounding jurisdictions.
With a composite score of 76.5 out of 100, SBS Solar holds the third-ranked position in Montana for 2026.
For investor owned utilities, net metering can be affected through lawmaking at the Montana Legislature as well as through regulation at the Montana Public ...
The ETIC also agreed to draft legislation that would increase the cap on net metering in Montana from 50 kilowatts to 250 kilowatts for customers that are ...
Net metering is required by law in NorthWestern Energy's and the Montana-Dakota Utilities' service areas. Renewable installations of less than 50 kW capacity ...
Montana's net-metering law, enacted in July 1999, applies to all customers of investor-owned utilities. Systems up to 50 kilowatts (kW) in capacity that ...
The net metering system must be fueled by solar, wind, or hydropower. 5. Storage components of the Customer's net metering system may store and discharge only.
According to the Short Term Energy Outlook released on September 9, 2025, renewable's share of electricity generation will increase to 24% in 2025, up from 23% ...
Montana's natural resources and long winters make it an ideal place to go solar, with the second-highest per capita rate of energy consumption in the country.
In this blog post, we'll explore why solar panels are worth it in Montana, the cost of solar, available solar incentives, and how you can tap into the state's ...
*Companies displaying 15 or more years in business are typically established electrical, roofing, or general contracting firms that expanded into solar installation in more recent years. The years shown may reflect the age of the parent organization or a strategic partner, not necessarily the solar division itself. This distinction is worth considering when comparing to dedicated solar installers, as purpose-built solar companies may offer more specialized expertise despite a shorter operating history.
