4 Best Solar Companies in Willmar, MN (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Willmar based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Willmar, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Willmar homeowner saves $1,426/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Willmar
Thinking of going solar but still deciding on which solar panel installer would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be challenging to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic perks. Solar panels can be expensive, but switching to solar will save you money on your energy bills over many years. In fact, you can potentially save about $17,000 over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary substantially according to your home's setup and your household energy needs. To see how much you might pay to install solar panels on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Willmar by clicking the "get quote" 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 Willmar
Blattner Company
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Informative Resources - Reliable Customer Support
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Expert panel installation - Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Energy storage solutions
Runestone Electric Association
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Resolve Solar LLC
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Zinniel Electric Co
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Willmar
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Willmar 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 Willmar
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 Willmar
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has decreased significantly over the past few years, but it's still a substantial investment for most homeowners. Some important factors that affect how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- The cost of energy for you: If your local power rates are quite high, there's a better chance you'll get a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Willmar, you can save an average of $105 a month on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 30% of their solar installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $17,000 on your energy bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Energy consumption: Solar may be too steep of an investment for homes that don't consume a lot of energy a month.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can afford.
Solar is a profitable investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own power instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar incentives and rebates, all while helping protect the environment.
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Use the calculator below to see how much installing a solar panel system could impact the Earth and your finances. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Willmar, MN.
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Solar Incentives in Willmar
Because solar power is better for the environment than traditional energy sources, there are several government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch. When you install a solar panel system, you can claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some state and city incentives that you can use to further save. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Willmar
One of the best reasons to tap into solar power is to reduce your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment. You may be curious — how much does going solar help the planet anyway? If your family consumes lots of energy, you can help the environment even more by switching to solar power. Since solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they're a good trade for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other benefits outside of saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
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 Willmar, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installation company in Willmar?
In Willmar, National Microgrid is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
What are some of the main pros and cons of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your electricity bills, it's eco-friendly, and it can provide a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 11.2 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How long do solar panels last?
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 higher 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.