8 Best Solar Companies in Rapid City, SD (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 8 in Rapid City based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Rapid City, SD
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Rapid City homeowner saves $1,728/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Rapid City
Finding the best solar panel installation company for your home is a huge decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Rapid City. The average home can save $21,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And since solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total savings will be even more than that overall.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary greatly depending on your home's configuration and your overall energy requirements. To help you understand if solar panels are something you should get for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Rapid City by clicking the button below.
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 Rapid City
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
Solar Pro
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
Solar Eclipse Tinting
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Solar Sound Corporation DBA Lighting Maintenance Co.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
Black Hills Solar, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
GenPro Energy Solutions
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
Wegner Roofing & Solar
- Family-Operated Business
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Recognized Excellence
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
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
Although solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, it's important to know the upfront costs. Some key factors that influence how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn't see much direct sunlight, your solar panels won't be able to produce as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- How much energy your household consumes: Households that consume a lot of electricity each month may require more solar panels and, consequently, be more costly, but will also benefit more over time.
- The type of solar panels you're planning on getting: Some have higher prices, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: Something that can make your solar project cost less 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 a decent amount of money on your energy bills, which can result in an average of $21,000 of savings over 20 years.
Though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the kind of solar panels you get and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in Rapid City
Adopting solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the Earth, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives. Regardless of what state you live in, 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 on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in Rapid City.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Rapid City
If you're considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to lower your carbon dioxide emissions. But — how much exactly can you help the environment by making the switch to solar? The more power your house uses, the better off the planet will be from you switching to solar since you won't need to burn as many fossil fuels. In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. The advantages of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with using solar energy.
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 Rapid City, SD Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Rapid City?
In Rapid City, Wegner Roofing & Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Making solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on the amount of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.