4 Best Solar Companies in St. James, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in St. James based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for St. James, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average St. James homeowner saves $1,369/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in St. James
Searching for the best solar companies in St. James? Installing solar panels is an exciting venture that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. With good amounts of average daily sunlight in St. James, the solar industry is growing steadily. An underrated driver of this has been Minnesota's statewide programs that help with residential and commercial solar panel installation.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in St. James, you might notice that there are a lot of providers to choose from. So, we’ve put together an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To start getting free quotes from the best solar companies in St. James, you can click "get quote" 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 St. James
The Solar Store Mankato
Free Quotes- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Panel Installation
SolarPod
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
American Energy LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Northwood Electric Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in St. James
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in St. James 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 St. James
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 St. James
The cost of putting up solar panels has decreased greatly in the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some key factors such as:
- Average daily sunlight: Since St. James gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: One thing 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 money on your power bills, which can result in an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you buy 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 you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Your current electricity bills: Solar panels can dramatically decrease, or entirely get rid of, your utility bills. In St. James, you can save an average of $1,210 a month.
Thanks to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as various solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in St. James
Adopting solar power has lots of great benefits. Not only can it help protect the environment, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much your solar project cost when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some local incentives you can benefit from too. For more information about incentives that apply to you, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in St. James
If you’re considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to lower your carbon dioxide emissions.But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? For people who are environmentally-conscious, switching to solar power is a straightforward choice, especially since St. James produces a very high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.When you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 90 pounds a year. The great things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with committing 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 St. James, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In St. James, The Solar Store Mankato is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
What are a few of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
The advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, completely cut your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. The 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 whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 16.5 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels are less expensive but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.