2 Best Solar Companies in Rapid Valley, SD (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 2 in Rapid Valley based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Rapid Valley, SD
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Rapid Valley homeowner saves $1,723/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 01, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Rapid Valley

If you’re a home or business owner looking to take advantage of the solar incentives in Rapid Valley, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which company to decide on. But, the process is worth it since adopting solar energy is often a good choice. On average, your family can save $20,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And since solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be even higher overall.


Here, we’ll give you a list of some of the top solar companies in Rapid Valley to make your choice a little easier.To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Rapid Valley, click the "get quote" button below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Rapid Valley

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Black Hills Solar, Inc.

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Off-Grid Solar Systems
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Battery Storage

Website: http://blackhillssolar.com/
Address: 1950 Samco Rd Suite 7, Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone: 6057022510
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

GenPro Energy Solutions

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon System Decommissioning
  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: http://www.genproenergy.com/
Address: 13261 Timberline Plaza, Piedmont, SD 57769
Phone: 6053419920

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Rapid Valley

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Rapid Valley 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 Rapid Valley


Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for South Dakota 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 Rapid Valley

The cost of installing solar panels has gone down greatly over the past several years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some key factors such as:

  • Your energy consumption: If your family uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from installing solar panels.
  • How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop gets limited direct sunlight, your solar system won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on energy bills than a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
  • The make and model of solar panels you’re thinking of getting: More efficient models are more expensive, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
  • Your energy bills: This will dictate your savings. In Rapid Valley, the average resident can save about $1,600 a year on their electricity bills.

There are lots of wonderful benefits of solar in spite of the initial cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. Plus, it can raise the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.

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Solar Incentives in Rapid Valley

In an effort to increase the adoption of solar power, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make solar power more economically viable and accessible.On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local programs, which in almost all cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in your area.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Rapid Valley

One reason so many people are considering going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact.You may be trying to figure out – how much does going solar help the planet anyway? In a city like Rapid Valley where commute times can be long sometimes, going solar can help help reduce the carbon footprint of driving.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. As you can see, going solar has so many other benefits apart from saving money. One of the most important ones is that you can help save the planet too.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Rapid Valley, SD Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the most reputable solar installer in Rapid Valley?

The best local solar company in Rapid Valley is Black Hills Solar, Inc., with a rating of 3.00 stars.

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?

A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it’s good for the environment, 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, the startup costs are high and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.

Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?

Solar panels can be a good investment for lots of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.

How efficient is a solar panel system?

Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them to meet your home's energy needs.

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.