3 Best Solar Companies in Benson, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Benson based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Benson, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Benson homeowner saves $1,290/year with solar panels
Updated October 25, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Benson
When choosing between the best solar installers, Benson homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be a lot to consider, but we're here to make making the switch to solar energy simpler. Due to Benson's great level of sunshine on average, there are lots of solar companies to choose from.
To help you search through the huge variety of Benson solar installers, we've narrowed down a list of the top ones.Continue reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected with a certified 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 Benson
Runestone Electric Association
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Reliable Customer Support - Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Panels - Residential Panels
Richards HVAC & Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Emergency Services
Blattner Company
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Full-Service
- Commercial Panels
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Benson
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Benson 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 Benson
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 Benson
The cost of putting up solar panels has gone down greatly in the past few years, but it's still a significant investment for most homeowners.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Due to Benson's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your power bills.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your household uses on average and the higher your current electricity bills are, the more money you could save by going solar.
- The type of solar panels you can buy: This is dependent on how much you're willing to spend upfront.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you want to lower your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Benson homeowners.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and help the environment by switching to solar power, you can try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Benson, MN.
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Solar Incentives in Benson
If you're thinking about making the switch to solar power, various government incentives and tax credits can immensely lower the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For more information about incentives that apply to you, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Benson
One reason so many homeowners consider going solar is to help bring down their environmental impact.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Benson, though. The amount of energy you use is a significant factor to consider. The more power you use, the greater your impact when you go solar.When you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 90 pounds a year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll most likely get that there are many benefits of adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is worth 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's Benson, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Benson is Green Machine Solar Pool Heater, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your power bills, it's eco-friendly, and it can provide a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them for your home's energy needs.
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.