6 Best Solar Companies in Duluth, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Duluth based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Duluth, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Duluth homeowner saves $1,335/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Duluth
As a homeowner or business owner in Duluth, you may be interested in switching to solar energy and wondering about the best solar companies in your city. Solar could be a fantastic idea since it has a lot of benefits. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with solar panels, you can save about $16,000 on your power bills.
If you’re considering going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Duluth and compare quotes. The great news is we took the time and came up with a list of the best solar companies for you.We recommend shopping around to get quite a few quotes and comparing them to figure out which is the best installer for your home. To receive free quotes from vetted solar panel companies in Duluth, click the link below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Duluth
Wescom, Inc
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Optimum Energy Group
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Benson Electric Company
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Wolf Track Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Carlson Electric
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Nelson Collie Electric
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Duluth
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Duluth based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Duluth
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Minnesota solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Duluth
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you first need to pay to set up your panels.Some key factors that affect the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much it could save you over time include:
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you get will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: Something that can make your solar project cost less is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your utility bills, which can give you an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Duluth doesn’t get a lot of average daily sunlight, your solar system may not be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Duluth uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and make use of solar incentives, all while helping preserve the environment.
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Solar Incentives in Duluth
There are several reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them involves some government incentives you can take advantage of.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also potentially use the ITC with other state and city incentives. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Duluth
If you’re planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to lower your carbon dioxide emissions.Something many people might be wondering about is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Switching to green energy for electricity rather than burning fossil fuels is a great way to lower your carbon footprint if you're worried about Duluth's large level of greenhouse gas emissions.When you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 80 pounds a year. For those who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Duluth, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in Duluth?
In Duluth, Wescom, Inc is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a significant upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can produce under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household requires between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.