15 Best Solar Companies in Waconia, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Waconia based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Waconia, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Waconia homeowner saves $1,481/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Waconia
As a homeowner or business owner in Waconia, you may be considering switching to solar and wondering about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a fantastic choice since it has lots of perks. While solar panels are a great investment, you’ll be able to make the cost back and then some, all while living more sustainably. In fact, you could end up with savings of about $18,000 over 20 years.
If you’re planning on going solar, the first step to make is to find the best solar companies in Waconia and compare quotes. The great news is we took the time and made a list of the best solar companies to make it easier on you.To get an idea of how much it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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 Waconia
SolarPod
Prompt Service Delivery- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Grid-Tied Solar System- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Go Green Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Everlight Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
US Solar - United States Solar Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
TruNorth Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Renewable Solar Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
Apadana Solar Technologies
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
Cedar Creek Energy - Solar Company Minnesota
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
iSolar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Sisu Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Greenway Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
Greentech Renewables Minneapolis
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
RAREnergy - Solar Power Installation Minnesota
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Wolf River Electric Company
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Tesla Powerwall
BlueSky Electric, Solar, & EV Charging
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Waconia
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Waconia 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 Waconia
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 Waconia
The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down immensely over the past several years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- average energy usage: The more electricity your household consumes on average and the greater your current electricity bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from switching to solar.
- Your home's power bills: Due to fairly high monthly power bills in Waconia, you could save about $1,300 a year with solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, along with how your roof is set up, affects affect how much power your solar panels can generate.
There are lots of great benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. Additionally, it can raise the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Waconia
There are lots of reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them involves some government incentives you can take advantage of.In addition to the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level benefits, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. For detailed information about local incentives, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Waconia
One of the most compelling reasons to embrace solar energy is to decrease your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment.You may be wondering – how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? One thing that can severely influence your carbon footprint is your commute time and how much you drive overall. If you switch to solar power and have an electric car, you can vastly cut back on your carbon dioxide emissions by charging your car at home.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. The good things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with making the switch 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 Waconia, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel company in Waconia?
The highest-rated local solar company in Waconia is SolarPod, with a rating of 4.70 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your power bills, it’s a sustainable source of energy, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 15.2 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can opt to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use 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.