Best 5 Solar Companies in St. Louis Park, MN

St. Louis Park homeowners are fortunate to live in plentiful sunlight, both to enjoy and use for energy. Many are hiring top solar companies to get panels on their roofs. While going solar comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $990 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional technician can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. In this article, we'll highlight St. Louis Park's best solar providers and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the ideal one for your household.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to determine the best St. Louis Park solar companies.

• Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer satisfaction.
• Customer feedback and reviews: Most St. Louis Park solar companies have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and maximize its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The premier solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Professional licenses and credentials: Each company on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the St. Louis Park community for more than a decade.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Solar is one of the universe's most abundant clean energy sources, meaning you can lower or beat your home's dependence on fossil fuels.
• Lowered energy bills: You can avoid the added cost of grid-tied power by creating some electricity right where you use it. Plus, many states provide net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to credit part of your bill.
• Better energy independence: Photovoltaic solar panel systems with battery storage systems operate through blackouts and emergencies, and you won't have to rely on the power grid for your safety and well-being.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to St. Louis Park Homeowners?

Governments and utilities often incentivize homeowners for adopting solar. Here are some of the tax credits, rebates, or other programs you could qualify for.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in St. Louis Park

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar energy system. Here are some crucial criteria to keep in mind while shopping for a solar company.

Licensing and Training

To install a new photovoltaic system in Minnesota, a contractor must have an electricians' or electrical contractors' 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. Look for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar sector's most credible trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in St. Louis Park

The style of solar panels you select decides how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but they're worth it if you want a traditional panel style without the high cost. Thin-film panels aren't the best for large residential installations, but they are excellent accessories for non-traditional roofs.

You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can improve your solar system's efficiency. Not every solar provider provides these add-ons, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's crucial for you.

A majority of St. Louis Park homeowners opt for solar systems designed for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $20,150 to set up, considering both parts and installation. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in St. Louis Park

Choosing the ideal financing option will influence your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include cash payments, power purchase agreements, leases, and loans. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand 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 an auto or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) allows you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, like an electric bill. We typically don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for installers that offer two or more payment plans to find the right fit for your budget.

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

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. City and state governments and utilities might also offer their own rebates, incentives, and financing programs that could save you more money.

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy