12 Best Solar Companies in St. Cloud, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in St. Cloud based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for St. Cloud, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average St. Cloud homeowner saves $1,548/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in St. Cloud
When deciding on the best solar panel installers, St. Cloud homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar power less confusing. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with solar panels, you can save about $18,000 on your power bills.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in St. Cloud, you might realize that there are many providers to choose from. So, we’ve accumulated an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the top St. Cloud solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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. Cloud
RAREnergy - Solar Power Installation Minnesota
Free Quotes- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
Wolf River Electric Company
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Cedar Creek Energy - Solar Company Minnesota
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Community Solar Projects
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
TruNorth Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
US Solar - United States Solar Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
SolarPod
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Everlight Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
Apadana Solar Technologies
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
Go Green Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Renewable Solar Resources
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Permit Assistance
Greentech Renewables Minneapolis
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Greenway Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in St. Cloud
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in St. Cloud 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. Cloud
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. Cloud
We get that for many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar depends on installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. In addition, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- How much energy costs for you: If your local utility rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In St. Cloud, you can save an average of $1,279 a month on your electricity bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in St. Cloud uses a decent amount of, and therefore may save on their energy bills.
There are lots of wonderful benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your finances. Additionally, it can increase the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in St. Cloud
Because solar power is more sustainable than fossil fuels, there are quite a few government incentives available to encourage its adoption.These incentives normally take the form of cash rebates, tax benefits and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower how much you end up spending on going solar by 0, upwards of 50% in some cases. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in St. Cloud.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in St. Cloud
There are a few important reasons why many people want to invest in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet.You may be trying to figure out – how much do solar panels help the environment anyway? If your family uses a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar power.In St. Cloud, the average household can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. For people who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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. Cloud, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in St. Cloud?
In St. Cloud, RAREnergy - Solar Power Installation Minnesota is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Producing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels require a significant upfront investment that costs over ten thousand 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 long do solar panels last?
On average, solar panels can last 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 level 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.