3 Best Solar Companies in St. James, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in St. James based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for St. James, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average St. James homeowner saves $1,369/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in St. James
When you're trying to find the best solar companies in St. James, sifting through hundreds of options can be daunting, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many good benefits. Because St. James has a good capacity for solar power generation, going solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
Here, we'll list out some of the best solar companies in St. James to make your decision a little bit easier. To help you know if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in St. James 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. James
Zinniel Electric Co
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Free Quotes - Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Expert panel installation - Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
Iowa Lakes Electric Co-Op
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
MidAmerican Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in St. James
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in St. James 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. James
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. James
For many readers, the decision of which solar company to hire depends on total costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- The type of solar panels you want: Some are more expensive, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof gets limited direct sunlight, your solar system won't be able to produce as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electric bills than a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that's equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your utility bills, which can generate an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
- How much power your household needs: If your home uses a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from installing solar panels.
Because of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Adopting green energy can significantly impact both the environment and your bills. To see how much, check out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for St. James, MN.
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Solar Incentives in St. James
Although a solar power system is typically a large investment, it can save you a lot of money over several years due to lower utility bills and government incentives. You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also possibly pair the ITC with other state and city incentives. For more information about incentives that apply to you, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in St. James
There are a few key reasons why people are considering solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in St. James, though. Regardless of your location, you can help save the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume a lot of energy will have an even greater impact. Since solar panels don't release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good substitute for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll most likely understand that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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. James, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in St. James?
The highest-rated local solar company in St. James is Zinniel Electric Co, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing requires 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 getting solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 11.6 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.