15 Best Solar Companies in Cottage Grove, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Cottage Grove based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Cottage Grove, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Cottage Grove homeowner saves $1,553/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Cottage Grove
Looking to go solar but trying to figure out which solar company would be the best one for you? Although it can be challenging to choose a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many good perks. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can greatly offset your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
Here, we’ll narrow down some of the best solar companies in Cottage Grove to make your choice a bit easier.Read on to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected to a certified solar company in your area right away by clicking the button 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 Cottage Grove
iSolar
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
TruNorth Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
US Solar - United States Solar Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
Everlight Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Sisu Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Cedar Creek Energy - Solar Company Minnesota
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
BlueSky Electric, Solar, & EV Charging
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Greenway Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
SolarPod
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Apadana Solar Technologies
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
Greentech Renewables Minneapolis
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Wolf River Electric Company
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Renewable Solar Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Solar Connection
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Go Green Energy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Cottage Grove
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove
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 Cottage Grove
For the majority of homeowners, the decision to invest in a solar energy system depends the most on the cost.There are several factors you should take into consideration when trying to figure out costs and your potential savings, such as:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 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 $18,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you buy 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 opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Where your home is: This influences the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Cottage Grove uses a decent amount of, and consequently may save on their energy bills.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own electricity instead of paying for it from the grid and benefit from solar incentives, all while helping preserve the environment.
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Solar Incentives in Cottage Grove
If you’re planning on making the switch to solar energy, a variety of government incentives and solar rebates can drastically bring down your project costs and speed up the return on your investment.You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also possibly stack the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can find in Cottage Grove.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Cottage Grove
Making the switch to solar power is a profound way to do your part for a more sustainable future.But you may be wondering – how much exactly can you help the environment by going solar? Your energy usage is a key factor to keep in mind. The more power your household consumes, the bigger your impact when you make the switch to solar power.In Cottage Grove, the average homeowner can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. 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 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 Cottage Grove, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installer in Cottage Grove?
The best local solar company in Cottage Grove is iSolar, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it’s environmentally 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, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but truthfully, 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 reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
For the most part, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.
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.