4 Best Solar Companies in Pierre, SD (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Pierre based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Pierre, SD
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Pierre homeowner saves $1,475/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated September 15, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Pierre

If you're a home or business owner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Pierre, it can be hard to narrow down which company to decide on. But, the hard work is worth it since switching to solar power is often a fantastic choice. Since Pierre is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're considering installing solar panels.

If you want to take advantage of the great amount of perks of solar, we're here to help you narrow down your options to find the Pierre solar installer that's the right price for you. Continue reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or connect with a certified solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Pierre

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Black Hills Solar, Inc.

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: http://blackhillssolar.com/
Address: 1950 Samco Rd Suite 7, Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone: 6057022510
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Solar Eclipse Tinting

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.facebook.com/solareclipserc
Address: 655 Creek Dr Suite F, Rapid City, SD 57703
Phone: 6053919735
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.5/5

GenPro Energy Solutions

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: http://www.genproenergy.com/
Address: 13261 Timberline Plaza, Piedmont, SD 57769
Phone: 6053419920
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Solar Sound Corporation DBA Lighting Maintenance Co.

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: http://www.lightingmaintenancerc.com/
Address: 2221 Bridge View Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: 6053431386

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Pierre

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Pierre 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 Pierre


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 Pierre

For many people, the decision of which solar installer to hire depends on pricing. Some main factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time include:

  • The model of solar panels you're thinking of getting: More efficient models are more expensive, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
  • Your city: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
  • Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your energy bills, which can lead to an average of $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
  • How much energy you use: If your household regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from switching to solar.

So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you'd like to decrease your electricity costs, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Pierre homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Pierre

If you're considering making the switch to solar energy, several government incentives and subsidies can drastically lower the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment. These incentives normally include cash rebates, tax benefits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut the cost of installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. For detailed information about incentives for homeowners in Pierre, visit our article on solar incentives.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Pierre

Installing solar panels can have a meaningful effect on the environment. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Pierre, though. In a city like Pierre where energy use is particularly high, going solar is a great idea for households who are worried about the state of the planet. In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other perks apart from saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the environment too.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Pierre, SD Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the top solar company in Pierre?

In Pierre, South Dakota Wind Energy Center is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your power bills, it's good for the environment, and it provides a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.1 years, but the exact period varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?

Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can produce under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover how much energy they need.

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.