13 Best Solar Companies in St Cloud, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in St Cloud based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for St Cloud, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average St Cloud homeowner saves $1,548/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in St Cloud
Looking for energy freedom in St Cloud? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding course of action since there are lots of perks when you switch to solar power. On average, you can save $18,000 over 20 years by using solar power. And because solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be even higher overall.
In this article, we'll tell you about the top St Cloud solar installers so you can find the best one for your home's clean energy needs. 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 St Cloud
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
Apex Solar
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Blattner Company
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
Reliable and Renewable Energy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Recognized Excellence
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Solar Plastics LLC
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Connexus Energy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Business installations
Talk Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Centre Electric Inc
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Wolf River Electric Company
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
Everlight Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Resolve Solar LLC
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in St Cloud
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in St Cloud 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 St Cloud
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 St Cloud
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar installer to go with depends on pricing. The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 30% of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $18,000 over the first 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- How much you spend on energy: The average household in St Cloud shells out around $1,400 a year on energy use alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
- Typical energy usage: The more power your home uses on average and the larger your current power bills are, the more benefits you'll see from making the switch to solar.
- The model of solar panel system you can purchase: This depends on what your budget is.
Solar is a profitable investment for most homeowners. You can make your own electricity instead of paying for it from the grid and benefit from solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the planet.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
If you're interested in finding out how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for St Cloud, MN.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in St Cloud
Although solar power is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over many years due to smaller energy bills and government incentives. These incentives mostly consist of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or performance-based incentives. They can lower how much you end up spending on installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% in some cases. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can find in St Cloud.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in St Cloud
There are a few big reasons why many people want to invest in solar energy: for the good of their bank accounts and the planet. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in St Cloud, though. For homeowners and business owners who are concerned about global warming, going solar is an easy choice, especially since St Cloud produces a very high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation. Even though solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used traditional energy. In St Cloud, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For those who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 St Cloud, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
In St Cloud, Sisu Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
What are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, totally erase your electricity bills, improve your home's value and bring down your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not see as many savings if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
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 10.3 years, but the exact period depends on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
When should I put up solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners going solar, you could potentially see faster 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.