Best 3 Solar Companies in Minot, ND

Minot homeowners are privileged to live in ample sunlight, both to appreciate and use for energy. Many are hiring top solar companies to get panels on their roofs. If you're thinking about going solar, you might be anxious about high prices or long payback periods. By collaborating with a professional installer, you'll have both the monetary and practical support you need for a successful transition. In this article, we'll highlight Minot's best solar companies and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your household.

Ranking Methodology

Our team has researched dozens of solar installers near Minot, keeping in mind the following criteria:

• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and maximize its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The best solar companies remain current on new technology, providing equipment from innovative, dependable manufacturers.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Minot solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar contractors should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
• Professional licenses and credentials: Each provider on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Minot community for a decade or longer.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy comes with multiple benefits. Let's look at a few of them.

• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power means you're less dependent on fossil fuels, which emit harmful greenhouse gasses.
• Better energy independence: Solar panel systems can keep your home running through blackouts and emergencies. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery storage.
• Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you produce power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-connected power. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. Plus, a significant number of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Minot Homeowners?

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

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Minot

Choosing a company is the first step toward an effective and valuable solar array. Consider all of these factors in your contractor search.

Licensing and Training

In North Dakota, a solar energy installer must be a licensed journeyman/plumber for thermal system work and a licensed journeyman/master electrician for photovoltaic work. There is an exemption for any job that would cost under $2,000. Solar providers can also obtain certificates from standards organizations and trade groups. The most prestigious ones in the industry come from the NABCEP. Most company websites will prominently display earned credentials, but you should also ask your estimator for more information.

Cost of Solar Panels in Minot

Your solar panels' type will influence how much electricity you can generate. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and perform the best but cost the most. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.

Additional components, such as electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery storage, will increase your overall installation costs. However, they might make your solar system more efficient and convenient to use. Not every solar provider provides these additional features, so look for a provider that installs them if it's crucial for you.

Generally speaking, it costs about $17,900 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Minot. This table shows more specific costs for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Minot

Choosing the right financing plan will influence your overall solar system cost and expected savings. Common payment options include leases, loans, power purchase agreements, and cash payments. Though it requires a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a car or home loan, 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) allows you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Ask each installer you're vetting about the payment options it offers. A salesperson can help you determine the best option for your pocketbook.

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

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar power systems until the year 2032. City and state officials and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and unique financing solutions that could save you more.

Sources

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