13 Best Solar Companies in St. Cloud, MN (2024 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
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Average St. Cloud homeowner saves $1,548/year with solar panels
Updated February 01, 2024
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in St. Cloud
Hoping to obtain energy freedom in St. Cloud? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding project since you can enjoy lots of benefits when you go solar. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $18,000 on your power bills.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary substantially according to your home’s setup and your household energy requirements.To get free quotes from the best solar companies in St. Cloud, click the "get quote" button below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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
RAREnergy - Solar Power Installation Minnesota
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
Wolf River Electric Company
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning
- Commercial Panels
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Battery Storage
- Maintenance
Cedar Creek Energy - Solar Company Minnesota
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- EV Charger
- Solar Carports
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Commercial Panels
TruNorth Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Maintenance
- Residential Panels
US Solar - United States Solar Corporation
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Community Solar Projects
SolarPod
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Maintenance
Everlight Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
Apadana Solar Technologies
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Commercial Panels
- Community Solar Projects
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Residential Panels
Go Green Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
Renewable Solar Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Commercial Panels
- Community Solar Projects
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
American Green Solar Group
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
Greentech Renewables Minneapolis
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
Greenway Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Commercial Panels
- Full-Service
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
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you first need to pay to set up your system.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- Your current electric bills: Solar panels can substantially decrease, or totally eliminate, your utility bills. In St. Cloud, you can save an average of $1,279 a month.
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you choose can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your household uses on average and the higher your current energy bills are, the more money you could save by going solar.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own electricity instead of paying for it from a utility company and make use of solar incentives and rebates, all while helping preserve the Earth.
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Solar Incentives in St. Cloud
Because solar power is more sustainable than fossil fuels, there are quite a few government incentives available to encourage its adoption.These incentives normally take the form of cash rebates, tax benefits and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower how much you end up spending on going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in St. Cloud
If you’re considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to reduce your carbon footprint.But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually affect the environment? The more power your household uses, the the more the environment will benefit if you switch to solar since you won’t have to burn as many fossil fuels.Even though solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In St. Cloud, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll most likely recognize that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 installation company is the best in St. Cloud?
The top local solar company in St. Cloud is RAREnergy - Solar Power Installation Minnesota, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.