6 Best Solar Companies in Cold Spring, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Cold Spring based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Cold Spring, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Cold Spring homeowner saves $1,462/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Cold Spring
Getting the right solar panel installation company for your roof is a big decision, but it's one that can pay off big in Cold Spring. Fortunately, there are many solar companies in Cold Spring due to encouraging government support and a growing renewable energy market.
Here, we’ll list out some of the best solar companies in Cold Spring to make your decision a little bit easier.To start getting free quotes from the best solar companies in Cold Spring, you can click "get quote" below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Cold Spring
RAREnergy - Solar Power Installation Minnesota
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Wolf River Electric Company
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Everlight Solar
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Apadana Solar Technologies
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
Go Green Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Renewable Solar Resources
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Cold Spring
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Cold Spring 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 Cold Spring
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 Cold Spring
The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down immensely in the past several years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.There are quite a few factors you should consider when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- How much electricity your home consumes: Homes that use plenty of power each month may require more solar panels and, consequently, be more costly, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
- Your home's power bills: With fairly high monthly energy bills in Cold Spring, you could save about $1,300 a year with solar.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $17,000 over the first 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you get 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 space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
As a result of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as various solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Cold Spring
In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make going solar more affordable and accessible.There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you a decent amount of money in return after installing a solar panel system. For comprehensive information about incentives that apply to you, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Cold Spring
Going solar can have a beneficial impact on the environment.But you may be wondering – how much exactly can you help the planet by making the switch to solar? One thing you should consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time on the road and have an electric vehicle, you can use solar energy for your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions.If you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 90 pounds every year. Since solar power is renewable and produces electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help the planet.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 Cold Spring, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Cold Spring is RAREnergy - Solar Power Installation Minnesota, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Making solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 15.4 years, but the exact period varies depending on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How long do solar panels last?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. 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.