15 Best Solar Companies in Lake Elmo, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Lake Elmo based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Lake Elmo, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Lake Elmo homeowner saves $1,614/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Lake Elmo
When deciding on the best solar panel installers, Lake Elmo homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we’re here to make adopting solar power simpler. With good amounts of average daily sunlight in Lake Elmo, the solar industry is growing steadily. An underrated reason for this growth has been national incentives that support residential and commercial solar panel installation.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow down the top companies in your area.We recommend shopping around for multiple quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-obligation quotes from vetted solar companies in Lake Elmo, 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 Lake Elmo
iSolar
Reliable Customer Support- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
TruNorth Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
BlueSky Electric, Solar, & EV Charging
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Cedar Creek Energy - Solar Company Minnesota
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Community Solar Projects
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
US Solar - United States Solar Corporation
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
Sisu Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Everlight Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Greenway Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables Minneapolis
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Apadana Solar Technologies
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
SolarPod
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Wolf River Electric Company
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
Renewable Solar Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Go Green Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Legacy Solar, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Lake Elmo
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Lake Elmo 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 Lake Elmo
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 Lake Elmo
We know that for lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar hinges on installation costs.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on some important factors such as:
- Average daily sunlight: Since Lake Elmo 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 affects how much your electricity bills will be.
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar system this year can save 0 of their solar installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $19,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Your current energy bills: Solar panels can noticeably reduce, or totally eradicate, your utility bills. In Lake Elmo, you can save an average of $1,279 a month.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you’re trying to lower your electricity costs, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Lake Elmo homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Lake Elmo
There are many reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them involves some government incentives that can help save you some money.On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some local programs, which in almost all cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Lake Elmo.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Lake Elmo
A lot of people want to do what they can to help the planet, which often is the chief reason for installing a solar system.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Lake Elmo, though. Going solar is a sustainable choice for the environment, due to the fact that the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.Once you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 90 pounds every year. The great things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many Lake Elmo residents have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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 Lake Elmo, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Lake Elmo?
In Lake Elmo, iSolar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
What are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of going solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your power bills, it’s environmentally friendly, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels can be an eyesore.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 14.0 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.