8 Best Solar Companies in Duluth, MN (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 8 in Duluth based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Solar installers near you
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best solar companies in Duluth

If you're a homeowner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Duluth, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which company to choose. But, it's worth it since adopting solar power is often a great idea. Because of Duluth's decent level of sunshine on average, the solar industry has been growing steadily.

There are lots of installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Duluth. If you want to receive free, no-obligation quotes from the best Duluth solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Duluth

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Nelson Collie Electric logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Nelson Collie Electric

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://nelsoncollieelectric.com/
Address: 621 9th St N, Virginia, MN 55792
Phone: (218) 741-8542
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Energy Plus Inc logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Energy Plus Inc

  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.energy-plus.com/
Address: 4811 Miller Trunk Hwy, Duluth, MN 55811
Phone: (218) 722-7818
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Legacy Solar, LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Legacy Solar, LLC

  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.legacysolar.com/
Address: 137 W W 1st Ave, Luck, WI 54853
Phone: (715) 653-4295
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Next Energy Solution logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Next Energy Solution

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://nextenergysolution.com/
Address: 231 Walnut St, Spooner, WI 54801
Phone: (715) 416-3022
Best National Provider
ecowatch badge icon
SunPower logo

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

$ $ $ $ $

Read full review

SunPower

  • Pros icon Most efficient panels on the market
  • Pros icon National coverage
  • Pros icon Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Con icon Expensive
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Ecolibrium3 - Lincoln Park Solar Garden logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

Ecolibrium3 - Lincoln Park Solar Garden

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.ecolibrium3.org/
Address: 1320 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55806
Phone: (218) 336-1038
Best Technology
ecowatch badge icon
Tesla Energy logo

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

$ $ $ $ $

Read full review

Tesla Energy

  • Pros icon Price-match guarantee
  • Pros icon Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Pros icon Best solar battery on the market
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://www.tesla.com/energy
Best Social Impact
ecowatch badge icon
Palmetto Solar logo

Regional Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-empty

$ $ $ $ $

Palmetto Solar

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Pros icon Certified B Corp
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs
  • Con icon Quality of installation may vary by location

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
  • Service icon Maintenance & Repairs

Website: https://palmetto.com/

Solar Company Ranking Methodology


Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.

The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Duluth

The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down immensely in the past several years, but it's still a substantial investment for most homeowners. There are several factors you should consider when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, including:

  • Your energy consumption: If your household needs to use a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from switching to solar.
  • System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you choose can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
  • How much you spend on energy: If your local power rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in solar panels. In Duluth, you can save an average of $106 a month on your electricity bills.
  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.

There are lots of good benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the planet and your bank account. Additionally, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.

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Solar Incentives in Duluth

If you're considering switching to solar power, several government incentives and subsidies can immensely lower the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment. These incentives normally consist of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or performance-based incentives. They can reduce the cost of installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on your location. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Duluth.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Duluth

There are many reasons to make the switch to solar energy, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. But you may be wondering — how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? Your energy usage is a significant factor to consider. The more power your household consumes, the greater your impact when you go solar. When you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 80 pounds every year. The benefits of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many Duluth residents have been happy with committing to solar.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

EcoWatch's Duluth, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar installation company is the best in Duluth?

In Duluth, Nelson Collie Electric is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your home.

What are the pros and cons of solar power?

A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it's good for the environment, and it gives you 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 be an eyesore.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 11.9 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.

What are the different kinds of solar panels?

The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels are less expensive 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, the layout of your roof 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.

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