17 Best Solar Companies in Elk River, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 17 in Elk River based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Elk River, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Elk River homeowner saves $1,556/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Elk River
If you're a homeowner looking to take advantage of the solar incentives in Elk River, it can be difficult to narrow down which installer to go with. But, it's worth it since adopting solar energy is often a good idea. Solar panels can be expensive, but adopting solar will save you money on your utility bills in the long term. In fact, you can potentially save about $18,000 over 20 years.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Elk River, you might notice that there are a great number of providers to choose from. So, we've put together an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area. To see how much you would pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Elk River by clicking the "get quote" button below.
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 Elk River
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Connexus Energy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Reliable and Renewable Energy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Everlight Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Solar Angels MN
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Wolf River Electric Company
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
Cedar Creek Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Recognized Excellence
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
Solar Plastics LLC
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Solar Midwest, Inc. - Solatube Premier Dealer
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
Agora Solar Supply
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Apadana Solar Technologies
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
Renewable Solar Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
MN Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Blue Horizon Energy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Greentech Renewables Minneapolis
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Elk River
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Elk River 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 Elk River
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 Elk River
We understand that for many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar highly depends on installation costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Your income and budget: This guides what type of solar panels you can buy.
- How much energy your home consumes: Homes that need plenty of energy each month may require more solar panels and, consequently, be more expensive, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- Your household's power bills: Based on the fairly high monthly electricity bills in Elk River, you could save about $1,400 a year with solar.
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
Though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the kind of solar panels you get and your energy consumption.
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Use the calculator below to see how much adopting solar power could help the environment and your finances. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Elk River, MN.
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Solar Incentives in Elk River
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving incentives from the government. These incentives mostly take the form of cash rebates, tax benefits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut how much you pay for installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on your location. For comprehensive information about incentives that apply to you, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Elk River
There are many reasons to switch to solar power, like saving some money on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? One thing to keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute time and have an electric vehicle, you can use solar energy for your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions. Because solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other perks besides saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment 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 Elk River, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in Elk River?
The highest-rated local solar company in Elk River is Sisu Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Making solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 10.2 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
When should I put up solar panels?
Although summer is the most common time people install solar panels, the ideal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's less demand during the winter months, and it allows you to be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.
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.