11 Best Solar Companies in Owatonna, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Owatonna based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Owatonna, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Owatonna homeowner saves $1,567/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Owatonna
If you’re a home or business owner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Owatonna, it can be challenging to narrow down which installer to decide on. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar energy is typically a good idea. For lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar depends on how much they can save. The great news is solar can help most homeowners save a sizable amount on their large and increasing energy bills.
In this article, we’ll let you in on the top Owatonna solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s solar energy needs.Interested in knowing the cost of installing a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Owatonna solar installer.
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 Owatonna
Austin Electric
Family-Operated Business- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Solar Connection
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
American Energy LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Everlight Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
SolarPod
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
Kuntz Electric, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
iSolar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
US Solar - United States Solar Corporation
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
The Solar Store Mankato
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Sisu Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Greenway Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Owatonna
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Owatonna 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 Owatonna
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 Owatonna
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs above all.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t see much direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than a house with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more 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: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too pricey an investment for households that don’t consume too much energy per month.
Although a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the angle of your roof and your energy consumption.
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Solar Incentives in Owatonna
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make switching to solar power more financially viable and accessible.These incentives normally consist of cash rebates, tax benefits and/or performance-based incentives. They can lower how much you pay for going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on your location. Our article on solar incentives goes over more information on the incentives you can find in Owatonna.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Owatonna
If you want to add solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to reduce your reliance on nonrenewable energy.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Owatonna, though. How much energy you use is a significant factor to keep in mind. The more energy you use, the bigger your impact when you switch to solar energy.While making solar panels emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by greatly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used traditional energy. In Owatonna, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other perks apart from saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the environment too.
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 Owatonna, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installation company in Owatonna?
In Owatonna, Austin Electric is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.70 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Manufacturing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels require a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.