Best Solar Companies in Minnesota (2022 Rankings & Reviews)
We recommend vetted solar companies that have:
- Availability in your area
- Affordable pricing and financing options
- At least 5 years of experience
- Outstanding customer reviews
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Best Solar Companies in Minnesota
Our reviews are curated by a team of solar experts, backed by insider data and reviewed by an advisory board to ensure we provide only the most vital information, minus the marketing gimmicks. Let’s jump in.
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Jump to Section:
- Top 5 Solar Companies in Minnesota
- All Energy Solar
- MN Solar and More, LLC
- Sun Badger Solar
- Winona Renewable Energy
- Live Wire Solar & Electric
- Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in Minnesota
- FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Minnesota
Regional Service
Average cost
All Energy Solar
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Full-service home energy solutions -
Excellent reputation
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Expensive
Full-service home energy solutions 
Expensive Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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Electrical Work
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System Monitoring
Solar Panels
Regional Service
Average cost
Sun Badger Solar
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Offers products from leading manufacturers
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Competitive pricing
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Offers rewards for customer referrals
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No leases or PPAs
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Relatively young company
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Maintenance & Repairs
Local Service
Average cost
MN Solar and More, LLC
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Offers rewards for customer referrals
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Excellent reputation
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Limited service area
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Limited information available on website
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Relatively young company
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Electrical Work
Local Service
Average cost
Winona Renewable Energy
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Many years of experience
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Excellent reputation
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Outstanding workmanship
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Locally owned and operated
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Limited service area
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Slightly limited service offerings
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
Regional Service
Average cost
Live Wire Solar & Electric
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Many years of experience
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Locally owned and operated
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Representatives are experts on local policies
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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Agricultural Solar
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EV Chargers
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Electrical Work
If you’re going solar like thousands of other Americans, you are probably looking for the best solar companies in Minnesota to start your energy savings. Since there are so many solar companies operating in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it can be difficult to narrow down the top performers.
The EcoWatch team is here to help you find a stellar solar company. With our wisdom and experience in solar, we’ve weeded out the bad installers and compiled a list of the best ones, so you don’t have to.
What Are the Top 5 Solar Companies in Minnesota?
Our EcoWatch solar experts meticulously review every aspect of the solar installation companies we find in every state, including Minnesota. During our reviews, we determine the top ones based on various criteria such as workmanship, customer reviews, financing options, warranty coverage, customer service, Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and more.
The table below offers a quick overview of our top five solar company picks in Minnesota. Each company made the list because it excels in several key areas of consideration.
| Company | Service Area | Solar Services | Warranty Options | BBB Rating | Year Founded |
All Energy Solar |
State of Minnesota | Solar panel and battery sales and installation; electrical work; system monitoring | 25 to 30-year production warranty; additional equipment-specific warranties |
A+ | 2009 |
MN Solar and More, LLC |
Greater Twin City Metro Area | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; electrical work | Equipment-specific warranties | A+ | 2017 |
Sun Badger Solar |
Greater Twin Cities Metro Area | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; system maintenance | 25-year workmanship and equipment warranties | A- | 2018 |
Winona Renewable Energy |
Winona Area | Solar panel installations | 25-year product warranty; 5-year workmanship warranty |
A+ | 2010 |
Live Wire Solar & Electric |
State of Minnesota | Solar panel and battery installations | 10-year workmanship warranty; additional equipment-specific warranties |
Not Rated | 2009 |
As you read through our top picks, you might be surprised that some popular companies, like Vivint Solar, didn’t appear in our review. But keeping them off this list was intentional due to lawsuits and other issues which can negatively impact the solar installation process.
1. All Energy Solar
All Energy Solar is among the more experienced solar providers on our list of the best solar companies in Minnesota. Since its inception in 2009, All Energy Solar has offered its high-quality services to residential and commercial clients in Iowa, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York and Wisconsin.
Customers of All Energy Solar can enjoy the variety of benefits of its services, including an experienced installation team (with technicians certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners), easy access to financial incentives and free quotes to get started.
In addition, All Energy Solar offers monitoring software that allows customers to easily monitor their solar power systems. The software not only tracks production and usage, but it also communicates any issues to the company right away. This eliminates any guesswork as to whether your system is working correctly.
Pros for All Energy Solar
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Excellent reputation
- Full-service home energy solutions
Cons for All Energy Solar
- Pricier than our other top picks
- Specific financing information isn’t readily available online
Summary Facts and Figures: All Energy Solar
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| Service Area | State of Minnesota |
| Average Cost | $$$$$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel and battery sales and installation; electrical work; system monitoring |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Enphase, LG, Tesla, JA Solar, Longi, SolarEdge, REC |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
2. MN Solar and More, LLC
MN Solar and More, LLC is one of the newer solar companies on our list of the best solar companies in Minnesota. It serves the local areas surrounding St. Paul and Minneapolis. The team has been involved in alternative energy production (biomass and wind) since 2003, but after recognizing its potential as a reliable and viable source of clean energy, the company switched gears and formed MN Solar in early 2017.
MN Solar and More offers excellent benefits, including a NABCEP-certified team and free, no-obligation quotes. The company handles every aspect of the solar process, meaning at no point will there be subcontractors working on your solar project.
In addition, MN Solar and More offers a referral program. If you enjoyed your experience with the company, you could earn money for every neighbor you refer who chooses solar with MN Solar and More. The company pays out $500 rebate referrals for systems over 10 kW and $250 for systems below 10 kW.
Pros for MN Solar and More, LLC
- Offers a referral program
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Excellent BBB rating
- No subcontractors
Cons for MN Solar and More, LLC
- Specific financing and warranty information is unavailable online
- Slightly limited service area
- Relatively young company
Summary Facts and Figures: MN Solar and More, LLC
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Service Area | Greater Twin Cities Metro Area |
| Average Cost | $$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; electrical work |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | SolarEdge, Canadian Solar, Hanwha SolarOne, LG, Jinko Solar, Enphase, Silfab Solar, REC |
| Financing Options | Cash payments |
3. Sun Badger Solar
Sun Badger Solar is another new face on the solar scene that made our list. Although it was founded just a few years ago in 2018, the company has quickly become a premier solar contractor in Florida, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Despite being a fairly young solar provider, Sun Badger Solar offers many of the same solar perks offered by older, well-established companies. For example, the company’s pricing is competitive, and it carries many high-end solar equipment brands (Q Cells, Tesla, SMA, etc.) with various energy efficiencies. Plus, it provides free consultations with a custom quote to get the ball rolling.
Pros for Sun Badger Solar
- Array of solar panel brand choices
- Competitive pricing
- Offers a referrals program
Cons for Sun Badger Solar
- Young company
- Solar leases and PPAs aren’t available
Summary Facts and Figures: Sun Badger Solar
| BBB Rating | A- |
| Year Founded | 2018 |
| Service Area | Greater Twin Cities Metro Area |
| Average Cost | $$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel, battery and EV charger installations; system maintenance |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | SolarEdge, Fronius, SMA, LG, Q Cells, Solaria, Enphase, Jinko Solar, Sonnen, Tesla, Longi |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
4. Winona Renewable Energy
Winona Renewable Energy is a solar provider with over a decade of experience. The company offers its solar products and services to residential, business, nonprofit, government and municipal customers in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The team at Winona Renewable Energy handles the entire process, including site surveys, quoting and concept design. The company has an experienced, NABCEP-certified team of solar installers and electricians. The Better Business Bureau scores Winona Renewable Energy as an A+ company.
The main drawback of the company falls to the lack of information on its website. Financing information isn’t readily available online. In addition, the company doesn’t display its available panel brands.
Pros for Winona Renewable Energy
- Strong BBB rating
- Over a decade of experience
- Locally owned and operated
- NABCEP-certified technicians
Cons for Winona Renewable Energy
- Website doesn’t detail financing information
- Specific panel brand options are unavailable
Summary Facts and Figures: Winona Renewable Energy
| BBB Rating | A+ |
| Year Founded | 2010 |
| Service Area | Winona Area |
| Average Cost | $$$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel installations |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Varies |
| Financing Options | Cash payments |
5. Live Wire Solar & Electric
Live Wire Solar and Electric is a seasoned solar installer. It has over 20 years of electrical experience and started installing solar in 2009, completing hundreds of solar installations since. Live Wire Solar & Electric’s services are available to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Customers of Live Wire Solar and Electric reap the benefits of its extensive experience in the solar and electrical fields. These include access to specific solar incentives (available by state), competitive pricing, experienced installers (NABCEP-certified) and a free consultation with an expert to get started.
Pros for Live Wire Solar & Electric
- Competitive pricing for homeowners and business owners
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Representatives are experts on local policies
Cons for Live Wire Solar & Electric
- Limited info available on website
Summary Facts and Figures: Live Wire Solar & Electric
| BBB Rating | Not Rated |
| Installing Solar Since | 2009 |
| Service Area | State of Minnesota |
| Average Cost | $$ |
| Solar Services | Solar panel and battery sales and installation |
| Brands of Solar Equipment Offered | Jinko Solar, Silfab Solar, Solaria, Canadian Solar, Panasonic, Trina Solar, Axitec, SolarEdge, Enphase, SMA, Fronius, LG, Generac, Tesla |
| Financing Options | Cash payments, loans |
EcoWatch Criteria for Selecting the Top Solar Company in Minnesota
At EcoWatch, we use a thorough process to vet the best solar companies in Minnesota and throughout the nation. Here are some of the aspects we looked at when choosing stellar performers. To learn more, visit our solar methodology page.
Warranty
The warranty is a critical part of a new solar panel system. For some homeowners, an excellent warranty is non-negotiable. Generally, the best solar companies offer product and workmanship coverage. These cover any damage due to issues with workmanship (such as leak roofs) or manufacturing (such as a defective panel). They’re essential to ensuring peace of mind.
Year Founded
As with most other trades, solar installers gain a wealth of knowledge and experience from many years in the industry. Due to how solar is booming, a number of subpar, “fly-by-night” companies have popped up around the U.S., making years of experience more and more important.
Although some newer companies are reputable, knowledgeable options (and we’ve included some of these on our list), this isn’t the case for all. Thus, we pay attention to the founding year as we eliminate companies from our recommendations.
Services Offered
Some solar providers offer additional services besides solar panel installations. For example, roofing or electrical licenses are common among some solar providers. These extra services can be helpful for homeowners, as they eliminate the need to call in a different company should a roofing or electrical-related problem arise.
Solar Panels Offered
Most solar installers offer various solar PV equipment brands, including mid-range and high-end brands. The best solar installers have the materials necessary to handle any solar energy project, no matter how big, small or unique.
Solar Pricing and Financing
Residential solar energy systems are usually between $10,000 and $25,000, depending on the size of the system. For many homeowners, paying this cost upfront simply isn’t feasible. This is where financing comes in. The best solar companies offer several financing options to accommodate various budgets. In addition, these companies often provide competitive pricing.
Industry Affiliations
One way to tell whether a company is focused on growing the solar industry or just growing its profit margin is by looking at industry affiliations. We rank companies higher if they employ NABCEP-certified technicians, are members of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), or are associated with local organizations focused on solar access and sustainability.
Size of Company
Solar providers come in all sizes – some are small, local providers and others serve the entire country. In some cases, larger solar companies can offer better rates or quicker service. However, smaller or local companies may be able to serve you equally as quickly or offer competitive rates.
EcoWatch FAQ: Best Solar Companies in Minnesota
Here are some of the more common solar questions we see from Minnesota homeowners here at EcoWatch:
Certainly, solar panel selection matters when selecting a solar installer in your area. Not all solar providers have the materials necessary to handle any project. The best solar providers can handle any project, regardless of how large, small or unique. If you’re looking for a particular solar panel brand, you’ll also want to find a company that offers that specific brand.
Affordability is a defining factor for many homeowners. This emphasizes the importance of great value rates and multiple financing options. If you’re searching for the most affordable solar company in Minnesota, we recommend obtaining quotes from three or more of our top picks.
Many solar providers offer free, personalized quotes, so it likely won’t cost you anything to get accurate quotes from your top choices. Once you have your quotes, compare them to determine which option is most suitable for you and your needs.
All Energy Solar is the largest solar company in Minnesota out of our top picks. The company has around 200 employees across its locations, which surpasses that of the other companies on our list.
During our selection and ranking process here at EcoWatch, we consider all aspects of each solar company we come across in a state. In addition to the criteria we mentioned above, we also pay attention to a company’s Better Business Bureau score and customer reviews. Using all of this information, we score and rank each company based on whether we’ve determined it’s a good fit for homeowners in a certain area.
Yes, your Minnesota utility company is important to consider when selecting a good solar company. Note that some utility companies offer a solar incentive or charge for net metering, which is one of the final stages in the solar process.
