4 Best Solar Companies in Northern, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Northern based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Northern, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Northern homeowner saves $1,258/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Northern
If you’re a home or business owner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Northern, it can be challenging to narrow down which installer to choose. But, it's worth it since switching to solar power is typically a great idea. One of the main reasons why many homeowners are thinking about switching to solar energy is because it can greatly reduce your monthly utility bills which keep getting higher each year.
The cost of installing solar panels can change considerably depending on your home’s framework and your overall energy usage.To get free quotes from the top solar companies in Northern, click the "get quote" button 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 Northern
Todavich Electric Inc
Prompt Service Delivery- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Cleaning and Maintenance
Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL)
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Holsen Home Automation & Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Nelson Collie Electric
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Northern
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Northern 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 Northern
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 Northern
While solar panels can help save you money on power bills over time, it’s important to take into consideration the startup costs.Some important things that influence the cost and possible savings include:
- The kind of solar panels you can buy: This is dependent on your income and budget.
- How much energy you use: If your home needs to use a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from installing solar panels.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $15,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Northern 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 you can save on your energy bills.
As a result of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as several solar incentives, they are a solid investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Northern
Switching to solar power has lots of great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the environment, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives.Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 0 of how much your solar project cost on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in Northern.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Northern
There are a few key reasons why people are interested in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Northern, though. As reported by the EPA, electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels and switching to renewable energy can help put a dent in that statistic in a city like Northern that generates a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. Since energy from the sun is renewable and makes electricity without releasing carbon emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help preserve the environment.
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 Northern, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in Northern is Todavich Electric Inc, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are a few of the main pros and cons of adopting solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, entirely cut your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and lower your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 17.9 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When should I install solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.