5 Best Solar Companies in Thomson, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Thomson based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Thomson, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Thomson homeowner saves $1,420/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Thomson
Hoping to go solar but trying to figure out which solar company would be the best one for you? Although it can be challenging to decide on a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many great benefits. Because solar panels produce their own electrical power, they can greatly lower your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top Thomson solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home’s clean energy needs.Continue reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or connect with a certified solar company near you right away by clicking the 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 Thomson
Optimum Energy Group
Free Quotes- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Benson Electric Company
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Wescom, Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Wolf Track Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Nelson Collie Electric
- Informative Resources
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Thomson
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Thomson 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 Thomson
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 Thomson
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you will first need to pay to install your system.Some key things that affect the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your home uses on average and the greater your current electricity bills are, the more money you could save by switching to solar.
- Your income and budget: This determines what kind of solar panels you can purchase.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their overall solar costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $17,000 on your energy bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: This, plus the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can produce.
Thanks to solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.
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To find out how much you can help the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Thomson, MN.
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Solar Incentives in Thomson
There are many reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them consists of some government incentives you can take advantage of.These incentives mostly include cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can reduce how much you pay for installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% in some cases. You can find out about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Thomson
A lot of people want to do their part for the planet, which often is the primary reason they’re interested in installing a solar system.Something many might have in mind is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? According to the EPA, electricity production is the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help reduce that statistic in a city like Thomson that accounts for a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.After you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 90 pounds each year. The benefits of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many Thomson residents have been happy with committing to solar.
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 Thomson, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in Thomson?
The best local solar company in Thomson is Optimum Energy Group, with a rating of 4.80 stars.
Are solar panels really environmentally friendly?
Manufacturing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 15.9 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Most of the time, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, which means 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.