9 Best Solar Companies in Winona, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 9 in Winona based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Winona, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Winona homeowner saves $1,612/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Winona
On the hunt for the best solar companies in Winona? Installing solar panels is an exciting venture that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. On average, you can save $19,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And because solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be much higher than that overall.
There are lots of installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Winona.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the top Winona solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Winona
Champion Solar
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Olson Solar Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Solar Connection Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Solar Connection
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Ethos Green Power Cooperative
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Kuntz Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Midwest Solars
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Next Step Energy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Blake Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Winona
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Winona 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 Winona
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 Winona
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs above all.The cost and possible savings vary depending on some important factors such as:
- The make and model of solar panels you want to get: Higher-efficiency panels cost more, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Winona uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on energy bills than a house with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and make use of solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Winona
If you’re thinking about switching to solar energy, a variety of government incentives and state programs can drastically bring down the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment.You can qualify 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 local rebates and benefits. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Winona
Lots of people want to do what they can to help the environment, which for many is the prime reason for installing solar panels.But how much can installing solar panels actually affect the environment? Using solar energy for electricity in place of relying on nonrenewable energy sources is a good way to lower your carbon footprint if you're conscious of Winona's large level of greenhouse gas emissions.In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. Since solar energy is plentiful and generates electricity without a carbon footprint, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help the planet.
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 Winona, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in Winona is Champion Solar, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle 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 can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last?
Though 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 significantly after that point. You can opt to 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.