13 Best Solar Companies in Albert Lea, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Albert Lea based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Albert Lea, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Albert Lea homeowner saves $1,531/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Albert Lea
Getting the right solar panel installation company for your home is a big decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Albert Lea. Since Albert Lea is a city where the solar industry is on the rise, it's no wonder you're looking into installing solar panels.
There are plenty of installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Albert Lea. If you're ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Albert Lea solar installers, 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 Albert Lea
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Good Steward Consulting
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Hayward Solar Project
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Northwood Electric Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
Austin Electric
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
American Energy LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
The Retrofit Companies, Inc.
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Recognized Excellence
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
- Business installations
- Home installations
SunRackSolar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
The Solar Store Mankato
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Kuntz Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Business installations
Solar Connection
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
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
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your system. A few main factors that determine the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Your current power bills: Solar panels can greatly lower, or entirely get rid of, your utility bills. In Albert Lea, you can save an average of $114 a month.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 30% of their overall solar costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- How much electricity your home consumes: Homes that need a lot of power each month may require more solar panels and, as a result, be more costly, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you're trying to lower your energy bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Albert Lea homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Albert Lea
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is receiving incentives from the government. These incentives usually consist of cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut how much you pay for going solar by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. For detailed information about incentives that apply to you, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Albert Lea
Switching to solar energy can have a positive effect on the environment. You may be curious — how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? Regardless of your location, you can help save the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume lots of energy will have a bigger impact. In Albert Lea, the average household can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll likely understand that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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 best solar company in Albert Lea?
The highest-rated local solar company in Albert Lea is Sisu Solar, with a rating of 5.00 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 manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a large upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on the amount of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.