5 Best Solar Companies in Albert Lea, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Albert Lea based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Albert Lea, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Albert Lea homeowner saves $1,531/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Albert Lea
When choosing between the best solar panel installers, Albert Lea homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be overwhelming, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar power easier. Plus, forward-thinking government support resulted in climbing numbers of solar companies, setting the ground for a green and lucrative future in the state.
If you want to start making use of the great number of perks of solar, we’re here to help you narrow down your options to find the Albert Lea solar installer that’s in the right price range for you.To get a sense of what it might cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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 Albert Lea
Austin Electric
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Cleaning and Maintenance- Panel Installation
- Consultation
American Energy LLC
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Connection
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Kuntz Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
The Solar Store Mankato
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Albert Lea
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Albert Lea 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 Albert Lea
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 Albert Lea
Although solar panels can save you a good amount of money on power bills over time, it’s necessary to know the upfront costs.There are several factors you should consider when determining how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- Your income and budget: This shapes what kind of solar panels you can get.
- How much energy your home consumes: Homes that need plenty of electricity each month may require more solar panels and, consequently, more upfront cost, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
- How much energy costs for you: The average family in Albert Lea shells out around $1,300 a year on home energy use alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years without incentives.
Although a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the size of your house and your local electricity rates.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
For an estimate of both how much you could save and help the Earth by switching to solar power, you can play around with the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Albert Lea, MN.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.
Solar Incentives in Albert Lea
One of the good things about installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives.In addition to the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some local incentives, which in the majority of cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Albert Lea
One of the best reasons to use solar energy is to cut your reliance on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Albert Lea, though. Regardless of your location, you can help the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that use a lot of energy will have a bigger impact.When you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 90 pounds a year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll most likely get that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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 Albert Lea, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installer in Albert Lea?
The best local solar company in Albert Lea is Austin Electric, with a rating of 4.70 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your power bills, it’s a sustainable source of energy, and it can provide a good 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 be an eyesore.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
Although 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 decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using 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.