Best 5 Solar Companies in Brooklyn Park, MN

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Brooklyn Park

Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and valuable solar energy system. Make your choice based on the following important considerations.

Licensing and Training

To install a new photovoltaic system in Minnesota, a contractor must have an electrical contractors' or electricians' license from the Department of Labor and Industry, along with a residential building or remodeling contractors' license in some cases. If their work is regulated by the state's Mechanical Code, they must put up a $25,000 minimum bond with the Department of Labor and Industry. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar sector's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Brooklyn Park

Your solar panels' style will influence how much energy you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

You can also add electric car (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can improve your solar system's performance. Not every solar provider includes these optional components, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's crucial for you.

Most Brooklyn Park homeowners choose solar systems rated for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $20,150 to install, considering both parts and installation. You can see more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Brooklyn Park

There are a plethora of ways to pay for a new solar system, and the right one will lower your costs. A few of the most common options include power purchase agreements (PPAs), cash payments, loans, and leases. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they save you from paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Like a home or car loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases allow you to use your panels for a set monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, much like an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. We suggest working with a company that offers multiple financing options. Ask each agent about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your spending limits.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Brooklyn Park.

You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, utilities and local governments may have their own rebates and financing plans that could reduce your total cost even more.