16 Best Solar Companies in Lake City, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 16 in Lake City based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Lake City, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Lake City homeowner saves $1,501/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Lake City
Are you looking for energy freedom in Lake City? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since you can take advantage of many perks after adopting solar power. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can vastly lower your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
If you're thinking about going solar, the first step to make is to find the best solar companies in Lake City and compare quotes. That's why we took the time and made a list of the best solar companies so you don't have to. We advise shopping around to get quite a few quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-obligation quotes from vetted solar companies in Lake City, click the link 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 Lake City
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
People's Energy Cooperative
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Solar Connection
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Rochester Public Utilities
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Business installations
EnergyBin
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
Midwest Solars
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Kuntz Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- End-to-end services
Champion Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
(SES) Solar Energy Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
SolaDeck
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
Solar Forma Design
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
iSolar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Next Step Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Eau Claire Energy Cooperative
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Lake City
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Lake City 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 Lake City
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 Lake City
We get that for most homeowners, the choice to invest in solar depends on installation costs. Some key things that determine how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- The kind of solar panels you're thinking of getting: Higher-efficiency panels are more costly, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Your current energy bills: Solar panels can noticeably reduce, or totally eradicate, your utility bills. In Lake City, you can save an average of $113 a month.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too steep of an investment for households that don't need a lot of energy per month.
- Incentives: One thing that can make your solar project cost less 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 lead to an average of $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
Even though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the angle of your roof and your energy consumption.
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Solar Incentives in Lake City
Although solar power is typically a large investment, it can save you a considerable amount of money over several years due to smaller energy bills and government incentives. Local solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For more information about incentives for homeowners in Lake City, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Lake City
Going solar can have a positive effect on the environment. You may be asking yourself — how much does going solar help the environment anyway? In Lake City, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a big effect on the Earth since solar power is an abundant source of clean energy. In Lake City, the average homeowner can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. Since solar energy is renewable and produces electricity without releasing carbon emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help the planet.
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 Lake City, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Lake City?
The highest-rated local solar company in Lake City is Sisu Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Producing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
For the most part, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the sun's energy into usable electricity.
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.