5 Best Solar Companies in Austin, MN (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Austin based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Austin, MN
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Austin homeowner saves $1,554/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 Austin

Searching for the top solar companies in Austin? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting venture that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because Austin has a good capacity for solar power generation, installing solar panels is financially rewarding for many homeowners.


In this article, we’ll help you find the top companies in your area.Interested in knowing how much you would pay to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Austin solar installer.

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 Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

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 Austin

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

Austin Electric

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: http://www.austinelectric.net/
Address: 1111 5th Pl SE, Austin, MN 55912
Phone: 5074348080
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

American Energy LLC

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: http://www.americanenergysolar.com/
Address: 50905 320th St, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
Phone: 5073831547
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Solar Connection

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Consultation

Website: http://www.solarconnectioninc.com/
Address: 6254 34th Ave NW a, Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 5072928400
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Kuntz Electric, Inc.

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Full-Service
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Solar Panel Upgrades

Website: http://www.kuntzelectric.net/
Address: 6254 34th Ave NW a, Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 5072859658
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

The Solar Store Mankato

  • 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 Residential Panels
  • Service icon Permit Assistance

Website: https://mankatosolarstore.com/
Address: 1420 N Riverfront Dr Suite 101, Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: 7855549249

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Austin

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Austin 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 Austin


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 Austin

We understand that for most homeowners, the choice to invest in solar hinges on installation costs.A few main factors that determine how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:

  • Your current energy bills: Solar panels can dramatically reduce, or entirely eradicate, your utility bills. In Austin, you can save an average of $1,279 a month.
  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Plus, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
  • Energy consumption: Solar may be a high-cost investment for homes that don’t use a lot of energy a month.
  • Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.

Solar is a valuable investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and take advantage of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping the planet.

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For an idea of both how much you could save and help protect the Earth by installing solar panels, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Austin, MN.

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Solar Incentives in Austin

Although a solar power system is typically a big investment, it can save you a lot of money over several years due to lower power bills and government incentives.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also possibly use the ITC with other state and city incentives. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Austin

There are a few primary reasons why homeowners are considering solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet.You may be curious – how much does going solar help the planet anyway? In Austin, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a huge effect on the Earth since solar power has a lower carbon footprint.In Austin, the average homeowner can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. As you can see, using solar power has so many other perks apart from saving money. One of the most important ones is that you can help save the Earth 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 Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

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 Austin, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar installation company is the best near me?

The highest-rated local solar company in Austin is Austin Electric, with a rating of 4.70 stars.

Are solar panels really good for the environment?

Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 14.5 years, but the exact period varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

How long do solar panels last?

Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is the amount of energy they produce 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.