0 Best Solar Companies in Watertown, SD (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 0 in Watertown based on:

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

Average Watertown homeowner saves $1,232/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 Watertown

Thinking of going solar but not sure which solar panel installer would be the best one for you? Although it can be difficult to settle on a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many great perks. Since the cost of energy is getting higher and higher each year, many homeowners are planning on investing in solar to save money on electricity for their homes.


The cost of installing solar panels can vary greatly according to your home’s setup and your overall energy needs.To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Watertown, click 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 Watertown

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Watertown

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


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 Watertown

Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you first need to pay to install your system.The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:

  • Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, and the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can produce.
  • Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
  • Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be a high-cost option for families that don’t use too much energy a month.
  • Incentives: Something 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 on your power bills, which can give you an average of $15,000 of savings over 20 years.

Although a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the size of your solar panel system and your energy consumption.

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Solar Incentives in Watertown

To increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make going solar more economical and accessible.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For detailed information about incentives that apply to you, visit our article on solar incentives.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Watertown

There are a few key reasons why people are interested in solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.You may be asking yourself – how much does making the switch do for the planet anyway? If your family consumes a lot of energy, you can impact the environment even more by switching to solar energy.Since solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. The good things about solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with making the switch to solar.

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 Watertown, SD Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar power company is the best near me?

The highest-rated local solar company in Watertown is SunPower, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

What are the biggest pros and cons of installing solar panels?

The main advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, totally erase your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and reduce 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 whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.

Are solar panels worth it?

Solar panels need a significant upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do solar panels have to be replaced?

On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.

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.