18 Best Solar Companies in Forest Lake, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in Forest Lake based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Forest Lake, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Forest Lake homeowner saves $1,667/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Forest Lake
If you're trying to find the best solar companies in Forest Lake, going through all the options can be overwhelming, but it can pay off since switching to solar energy can offer so many fantastic perks. With good levels of average daily sunlight in Forest Lake, the solar industry is growing steadily. An underrated reason for this growth has been national programs that support residential and commercial solar projects.
If you want to start making use of the great amount of perks of solar, we're here to help you narrow down your options to find the Forest Lake solar installer that's the right price for you. To get an idea of how much it could cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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 Forest Lake
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
Cedar Creek Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Solar Angels MN
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
TruNorth Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
BlueSky Electric, Solar, & EV Charging
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Wolf River Electric Company
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
New Energy Equity - Roseville Office
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
SunShare
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
Everlight Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Greentech Renewables Minneapolis
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Connexus Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Solar Oven Society
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Solar Midwest, Inc. - Solatube Premier Dealer
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
(SES) Solar Energy Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
EDF Renewables
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Sisu Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Forest Lake
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake
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 Forest Lake
We get that for lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar rests on installation costs. A few key factors that influence the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too pricey an investment for households that don't need a lot of energy each month.
- The type of solar panels you're planning on getting: More high-tech panels have higher prices, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can use. In addition, you can save about $20,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- The cost of electricity in your area: If your local energy rates are especially high, there's a better chance you'll get a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In Forest Lake, you can save an average of $125 a month on your electricity bills.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own energy instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping protect the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Forest Lake
Although solar power is typically a big investment, it can save you a lot of money over the lifespan of your solar panels due to lower power bills and government incentives. No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 30% of your project costs when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives you can benefit from too. For comprehensive information about incentives that apply to you, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Forest Lake
Installing solar panels can have a meaningful effect on the environment. You may be asking yourself — how much does going solar do for the environment anyway? How much energy you use is a key factor to consider. The more power your home uses, the bigger your impact when you make the switch to solar power. In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. For people who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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 Forest Lake, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in Forest Lake?
The highest-rated local solar company in Forest Lake is Sisu Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are the biggest pros and cons of switching to solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers 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 produce electricity at night, the startup costs are high and solar panels can be an eyesore.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 9.5 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how many watts of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can typically 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.