Best 5 Solar Companies in Inver Grove Heights, MN

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Inver Grove Heights

The price and effectiveness of solar panels often depend on which company installed them. 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 have a $25,000 minimum bond with the Department of Labor and Industry. Solar companies can also pursue certifications from trade groups and standards organizations. The most respected ones in the industry come from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Inver Grove Heights

Your photovoltaic panels' style will influence how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

Additional system add-ons, such as battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar companies include these extras, so look for a company that installs them if it's essential for you.

If you're a resident of Inver Grove Heights and are considering getting a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could plan to spend about $20,150 for parts and installation. See more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Inver Grove Heights

There are a plethora of ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include cash payments, leases, loans, and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most economical choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a car loan or mortgage, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for valuable solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) lets you pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the system and cannot use solar incentives. We recommend working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Ask each representative about what's available, and get more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your financial plan.

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

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new home solar systems purchased through 2032. Extra incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.