9 Best Solar Companies in Duluth, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 9 in Duluth based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Duluth, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Duluth homeowner saves $1,335/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in Duluth
When deciding on the best solar panel companies, Duluth homeowners have more providers to choose from than ever before, which can be mind-boggling, but we're here to make switching to solar power less confusing. Though Duluth may not have a reputation for sunshine like Florida, it's a surprisingly hot place for solar growth, so several of the best solar companies in the country have set up shop there to help residents adopt renewable energy.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in Duluth, you might see that there are a great number of providers to choose between. So, we've organized a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area. If you want to receive free, no-obligation quotes from the top Duluth solar companies, you can click the button below to learn 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 Rankings for Solar Companies in Duluth
Optimum Solar Group
-
Informative Resources - Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Business installations - Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Wescom, Inc
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
Benson Electric Company
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
Energy Plus Inc
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
Superior Water Light & Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Wolf Track Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Carlson Electric
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Heliene USA
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Nelson Collie Electric
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Duluth
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Duluth 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 Duluth
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 Duluth
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you must first pay to install your system. There are several factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine costs and your potential savings, including:
- How much power your home consumes: Households that consume plenty of energy each month may need more solar panels and, as a result, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
- How much energy costs for you: If your local electricity rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll get a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In Duluth, you can save an average of $106 a month on your electricity bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your energy bills, which can result in an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
Though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the angle of your roof and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in Duluth
Although a solar power system is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over several years because of reduced utility bills and government incentives. These incentives normally include cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower the cost of installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on your location. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Duluth
If you want to add solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to reduce your carbon footprint. But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? Everyone can help the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume a lot of energy will have a bigger impact. In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 80 pounds each year. As you can see, using solar power has so many other perks outside of saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the planet too.
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 Duluth, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Duluth, Optimum Solar Group is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your house.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your power bills, it's good for the environment, and it can give you a decent 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 need a considerable upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on how much power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.