6 Best Solar Companies in Baxter, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Baxter based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Baxter, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Baxter homeowner saves $1,365/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Baxter
Thinking of going solar but trying to figure out which company would be the best one for you? Although it can be difficult to decide on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great perks. Solar panels aren't just good for the environment — your wallet will thank you too. With solar power, you can save an average of $16,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
Here, we'll list out some of the best solar companies in Baxter to make your choice a little bit easier. Continue reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or connect with a vetted solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.
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 Baxter
Sunny Side Farm, Forest, & Fabrication
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Tailored solutions - Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Gusco Electric
-
Reliable Customer Support - Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL)
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Mille Lacs Energy Cooperative
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Blattner Company
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
8th Fire Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Baxter
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Baxter 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 Baxter
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 Baxter
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has decreased immensely over the past few years, but it's still a significant investment for most homeowners. There are several factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- The model of solar panel system you can afford: This hinges on how much you're willing to spend upfront.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical household in Baxter spends around $1,200 a year on power alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you reduce your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. In addition, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- How much power your home consumes: Households that need lots of power each month may call for more solar panels and, therefore, be more costly, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
Although a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and incentives.
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For an estimate of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by switching to solar power, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Baxter, MN.
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Solar Incentives in Baxter
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is earning federal and potentially state incentives. On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level benefits, which in the majority of cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. You can find out about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Baxter
Installing solar panels can have a meaningful effect on the environment. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Baxter, though. In a city like Baxter where energy use is rather high, going solar is a good idea for those who are worried about the state of the planet. Because solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good alternative to traditional energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. For those who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 Baxter, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Baxter?
The highest-rated local solar company in Baxter is Sunny Side Farm, Forest, & Fabrication, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your electricity bills, it's eco-friendly, and it can give you 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 most homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.