11 Best Solar Companies in Madison, SD (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Madison based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Madison, SD
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Madison homeowner saves $1,384/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Madison
Looking for energy freedom in Madison? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding investment since you can enjoy many benefits when you go solar. On average, you can save $16,000 over 20 years by using solar power. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be well above that overall.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the top options in your area. If you're ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Madison solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Madison
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
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Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Heartland Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Solar Oven Project
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Continental Battery Systems of Sioux Falls
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
Thompson Solutions Group
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Sioux Valley Energy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Home installations
RENEW Energy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Power System Engineering, Inc.
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Missouri River Energy Services
- Free Quotes
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
NorthWestern Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Madison
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Madison 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 Madison
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for South Dakota 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 Madison
For many people, the decision of which solar company to choose comes down to pricing. There are a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar system this year can save 30% of their solar installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $16,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Madison gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much your electricity bills will be.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you buy will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be too pricey an investment for families that don't use too much energy per month.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own energy instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping the environment.
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Use the calculator below to find out how much installing a solar panel system could affect the environment and your wallet. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Madison, SD.
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Solar Incentives in Madison
Switching to solar power has plenty of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the Earth, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 30% of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some state and city incentives that can save you some extra money too. For comprehensive information about incentives for homeowners in Madison, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Madison
An important reason so many homeowners are thinking of going solar is to help lower their environmental impact. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Madison, though. The more energy you use, the better off the planet will be when you switch to solar as you won't have to burn as many fossil fuels. Since solar panels don't release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they're a good alternative to traditional energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. For people who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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 Madison, SD Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Madison is RENEW Energy, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?
Producing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
Usually, 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.