6 Best Solar Companies in Rapid City, SD (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Rapid City based on:

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

Average Rapid City homeowner saves $1,728/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 01, 2024

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 Rapid City

When choosing between the best solar companies, Rapid City homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be a lot to consider, but we’re here to make switching to solar power easier. Solar panels aren't just good for the Earth — your wallet will be better off too. Once you switch to solar power, you can save an average of $21,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.


In this article, we’ll help you find the best options in your area.For an idea of how much you might pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Rapid City by clicking the "get quote" 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 Rapid City

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

GenPro Energy Solutions

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels

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

Black Hills Solar, Inc.

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon EV Charger
  • Service icon Off-Grid Solar Systems
  • Service icon Battery Storage

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

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

MEI - Mike's Electric Inc

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs

Website: http://www.meiwyo.com/
Address: 2555 Heartland Dr, Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone: 3076747373
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Green Home Systems

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Permit Assistance

Website: https://www.greenhomesystems.com/
Address: 30 N Gould St Suite R, Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone: 8887217374
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Premier Electric Inc.

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: http://premierwyo.com/
Address: 240 Kooi St, Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone: 3076734582
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Panhandle Solar

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Consultation

Website: https://panhandlesolarenergy.com/
Address: 147 Armstrong Dr, Lewellen, NE 69147
Phone: 3084640462

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Rapid City

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Rapid City 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 Rapid City


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 Rapid City

The cost of putting up solar panels has decreased immensely over the past few years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.The cost and possible savings vary depending on some important factors such as:

  • How much energy you use: If your family needs to use a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from installing solar panels.
  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $21,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
  • The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on power bills than a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
  • Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you are interested in getting will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive 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.

Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar incentives and rebates, all while helping preserve the environment.

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Solar Incentives in Rapid City

There are several reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them consists of some government incentives you can take advantage of.There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn a decent amount of money in return after installing solar panels. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for near you.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Rapid City

If you’re thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the principal reasons why may be to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Rapid City, though. In Rapid City, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a significant effect on the Earth since solar power is a renewable source of energy.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. The good things about solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many Rapid City residents have been happy with using solar energy.

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 Rapid City, SD Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the best solar panel installer in Rapid City?

The highest-rated local solar company in Rapid City is GenPro Energy Solutions, with a rating of 4.70 stars.

What are the best and worst things about solar power?

The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, totally eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and bring down your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.

Is it worth installing solar panels on my home?

Solar panels require a large upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do solar panels need to be replaced?

Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. 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.