4 Best Solar Companies in International Falls, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in International Falls based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for International Falls, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average International Falls homeowner saves $1,563/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in International Falls
Hoping to go solar but trying to figure out which solar panel installer would be best for your needs? Although it can be challenging to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good perks. Because International Falls has a good capacity for solar power generation, switching to solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
Here, we'll make a list of some of the top solar companies in International Falls to make your choice a little bit easier. Read on to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected with a trusted solar company in your area right away by clicking the 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 International Falls
Todavich Electric Inc
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Reliable Customer Support - Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Expert panel installation - Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
Heliene USA
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Nelson Collie Electric
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
Beltrami Electric Cooperative, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in International Falls
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in International Falls 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 International Falls
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 International Falls
Although solar panels can save you money on energy over time, it's necessary to consider the upfront costs. A few main factors that affect the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much it could save you over time include:
- The model of solar panel system you can buy: This is dependent on how much you're willing to invest upfront.
- Your home's power bills: With very high monthly electric bills in International Falls, you could save about $1,500 a year with solar.
- Your energy consumption: If your family regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from switching to solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Additionally, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
Due to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a solid investment for many homeowners.
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Adopting green energy can significantly impact both the environment and your power bills. To see how much, check out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for International Falls, MN.
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Solar Incentives in International Falls
To increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make solar more economically viable and accessible. On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level benefits, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in International Falls
There are tons of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. But you may be curious — how much exactly can you help the environment by using solar power? The amount of energy you use is a key factor to consider. The more energy your home uses, the bigger your impact when you go solar. Although solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably reducing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In International Falls, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 80 pounds a year with solar panels. The good things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many International Falls residents have been happy with committing to solar.
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 International Falls, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in International Falls is North Star Electric Cooperative, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 10.2 years, but the exact period depends on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.