2 Best Solar Companies in Rapid City, SD (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 2 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
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Best Solar Companies in Rapid City
When choosing between the best solar companies, Rapid City homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be overwhelming, but we’re here to make adopting solar power easier. Solar panels can be expensive, but the switch will save you money on your utility bills in the long term. In fact, you can potentially save about $21,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow in on the best options in your area.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best Rapid City 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 Rapid City
GenPro Energy Solutions
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Battery Storage
- System Decommissioning
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Black Hills Solar, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
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
Even though solar panels can save you a good amount of money on energy bills over time, it’s necessary to consider the startup costs.Some key factors that affect how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Rapid City uses a lot of energy, and consequently may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding 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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Adopting solar energy can significantly impact both the environment and your power bills. To see how much, use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Rapid City, SD.
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Solar Incentives in Rapid City
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government.There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn a decent amount of money back after buying solar panels. You can learn about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
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 big impact on the Earth since solar power is a renewable source of energy.Because solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good substitute for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll no doubt recognize that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
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
What is the best solar panel installer in Rapid City?
The best local solar company in Rapid City is GenPro Energy Solutions, with a rating of 4.70 stars.
What are the major advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, entirely eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and lower your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for many homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can 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.