Best 5 Solar Companies in Burnsville, MN

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Burnsville

The cost and efficacy of solar panels often hinge on the provider that installed them. Consider each of these elements in your contractor search.

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 have a $25,000 minimum bond with the Department of Labor and Industry. Check for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar sector's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Burnsville

The kind of solar panels you choose dictates how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't recommended for large residential installations, but they are ideal for small projects like converting RVs and sheds.

If you want to charge an electric car or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more effective and convenient to use. Not all solar providers offer these extras, so look for a provider that sells them if it's essential for you.

Generally speaking, it costs about $20,150 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Burnsville. This table displays more specific pricing information for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Burnsville

Solar providers offer multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are power purchase agreements (PPAs), solar leases, solar loans and cash payments. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments require a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid 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. Much like a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with potentially $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) permits you to pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the solar system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for contractors that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your financial needs.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new residential solar equipment purchased through 2032. Additional incentives may be available through local governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.