6 Best Solar Companies in Duluth, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 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
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Duluth
Hoping to go solar but want to know which solar panel installer would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be challenging to decide on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic perks. Solar power isn't just good for the planet — your budget will be better off too. With solar power, you can save an average of $16,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary a lot according to your home’s configuration and your overall energy needs.We suggest shopping around for quite a few quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-obligation quotes from vetted solar installers in Duluth, click the link 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 Duluth
Wescom, Inc
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Optimum Energy Group
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Benson Electric Company
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Wolf Track Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Carlson Electric
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Nelson Collie Electric
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
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
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has gone down immensely in the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- Your income and budget: This guides what type of solar panels you can purchase.
- Incentives: One thing 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 a decent amount of money on your energy bills, which can lead to an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, and your roof configuration, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can produce.
- How much power your household needs: If your household regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the Earth.
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Solar Incentives in Duluth
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make solar more financially viable and accessible.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For more information about incentives that apply to you, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Duluth
One of the most compelling reasons to switch to solar power is to cut your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Duluth, though. As reported by the EPA, electricity generation is the second greatest 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 statistic in a city like Duluth that generates a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.Because solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they’re a good swap for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 80 pounds each year. Since solar power is renewable and produces electricity without a carbon footprint, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
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 Duluth, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In Duluth, Wescom, Inc is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your roof.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for many homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on the amount of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average home 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.