5 Best Solar Companies in Austin, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Austin based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Austin, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Austin homeowner saves $1,554/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Austin
If you’re trying to find the best solar companies in Austin, sorting through so many options can be demanding, but it can pay off since switching to solar energy can offer so many good benefits. Though Austin may not have a reputation for sunshine like Florida, it's a surprisingly hot place for solar growth, so many of the best solar companies in the country have expanded to there to help residents adopt renewable energy.
In this article, we’ll list out the top Austin solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s renewable energy needs.Interested in knowing how much you would pay to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Austin solar installer.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Austin
Austin Electric
Family-Operated Business- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
American Energy LLC
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Connection
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Kuntz Electric, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
The Solar Store Mankato
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Austin
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Austin based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Austin
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Minnesota solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Austin
The cost of putting up solar panels has gone down greatly over the past few years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on some important factors such as:
- Your current electricity bills: Solar panels can significantly reduce, or completely get rid of, your utility bills. In Austin, you can save an average of $1,279 a month.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Austin uses a decent amount of, and therefore may save on their energy bills.
- The type of solar panel system you have the money for: This depends on how much you’re willing to spend upfront.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you’d like to lower your electricity costs, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Austin homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Austin
There are lots of reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them consists of some government incentives you can take advantage of.There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you some money in return after installing solar panels. For comprehensive information about incentives that apply to you, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Austin
If you’re planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to lower your carbon dioxide emissions.But how much can switching to solar actually help the environment? In Austin, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a big effect on the Earth since solar power has a lower carbon footprint.Because solar panels don’t release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good substitute for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll likely recognize that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is worth more.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Austin, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in Austin is Austin Electric, with a rating of 4.70 stars.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they’re made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 14.5 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they are completely unusable. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them after having them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.