4 Best Solar Companies in St. James, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 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
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Best Solar Companies in St. James
Looking for energy freedom in St. James? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding course of action since there are lots of perks when you switch to solar power. Though St. James may not have a reputation for sunshine like Florida, it's a surprisingly hot place for solar growth, so many of the best solar companies in the nation have set up shop there to help residents adopt renewable energy.
There are so many installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in St. James.Keep reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or connect with a certified solar company near you right away by clicking the button below.
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in St. James
The Solar Store Mankato
Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Panel Installation
SolarPod
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
American Energy LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Northwood Electric Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
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
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your system.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some key factors such as:
- How much sunlight your roof gets: This, plus the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much power your solar panels can produce.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $16,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- The type of solar panels you want to get: More high-tech panels are more costly, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- How much energy costs for you: The average family in St. James pays around $1,200 a year on electricity alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
Although a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your energy consumption.
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If you're curious what your impact could be if you switch to solar, you can use 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
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government.No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 0 of how much your solar project cost when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in St. James
If you’re thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to reduce your carbon footprint.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in St. James, though. For homeowners who care about the environment, switching to solar power is an easy choice, especially since St. James produces a very high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.In St. James, the average homeowner can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. The advantages of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many St. James residents have been happy with using solar energy.
EcoWatch's St. James, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar installer in St. James?
The top local solar company in St. James is The Solar Store Mankato, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the major pros and cons of going solar?
The advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, completely cut your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and bring down your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 16.5 years, but the exact period varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.