3 Best Solar Companies in Brainerd, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Brainerd based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Brainerd, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Brainerd homeowner saves $1,365/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Brainerd
As a homeowner in Brainerd, you may be considering switching to solar energy and wondering about the best solar companies in your area. Solar could be a fantastic choice since it has a lot of perks. The average home can save $16,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be much higher than that overall.
If you want to start taking advantage of the great number of perks of solar, we’ll help you narrow down your options to find the Brainerd solar installer that’s the right price for you.Interested in seeing the cost of installing solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Brainerd solar installer.
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 Brainerd
Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL)
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation
Wolf River Electric Company
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
RAREnergy - Solar Power Installation Minnesota
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Brainerd
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Brainerd 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 Brainerd
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 Brainerd
Even though solar panels can save you money on utility bills over time, it’s necessary to consider the startup costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $16,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive 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.
- Your home's power bills: Based on the fairly high monthly electricity bills in Brainerd, you could save about $1,000 a year with solar.
- Your energy consumption: If your family regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from switching to solar.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you’re trying to reduce your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Brainerd homeowners.
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To see how much you can help the environment and your wallet by switching to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Brainerd, MN.
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Solar Incentives in Brainerd
There are many reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them includes some government incentives that can help save you some money.When you install solar panels, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there may often be some regional incentives that you can benefit from to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. Our article on solar incentives goes over more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in Brainerd.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Brainerd
A lot of people want to do what they can to help protect the planet, which often is the prime motivation to install solar panels.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Brainerd, though. The EPA reports that electricity generation is the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels and switching to renewable energy can help reduce that number in a city like Brainerd that accounts for a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.In Brainerd, the average homeowner can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll most likely find that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
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 Brainerd, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar installer in Brainerd?
The top local solar company in Brainerd is Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL), with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Manufacturing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a large upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof configuration and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.