15 Best Solar Companies in Cottage Grove, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Cottage Grove based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Cottage Grove, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Cottage Grove homeowner saves $1,553/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Cottage Grove
If you’re a home or business owner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Cottage Grove, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which company to go with. But, it's worth it since switching to solar energy is typically a good choice. Solar power isn't just good for the environment — your wallet will benefit too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $18,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
There are tons of installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Cottage Grove.To help you find out if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Cottage Grove by clicking the button below.
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 Cottage Grove
iSolar
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
TruNorth Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
US Solar - United States Solar Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
Everlight Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Sisu Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Cedar Creek Energy - Solar Company Minnesota
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
BlueSky Electric, Solar, & EV Charging
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Greenway Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
SolarPod
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Apadana Solar Technologies
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
Greentech Renewables Minneapolis
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Wolf River Electric Company
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Renewable Solar Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Solar Connection
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Go Green Energy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Cottage Grove
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove
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 Cottage Grove
Although solar panels can save you money on electricity bills over time, it’s necessary to take into consideration the upfront costs.Some key things that influence the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $18,000 over the first 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t see much direct sunlight, your solar system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electricity bills than a house with a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Cottage Grove uses a decent amount of, and consequently may save on their energy bills.
Though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the amount of daily direct sunlight available and incentives.
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Solar Incentives in Cottage Grove
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives.You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also possibly use the ITC with other local incentives. For comprehensive information about incentives for homeowners in Cottage Grove, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Cottage Grove
One of the best reasons to use solar energy is to minimize your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are hazardous for the environment.A question many might be asking themselves is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power anyway? If your household consumes a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar energy.In Cottage Grove, the average homeowner can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year once they go solar. Since solar power is plentiful and generates electricity without CO2 emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help preserve the planet.
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 Cottage Grove, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Cottage Grove, iSolar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
What are a few of the main pros and cons of switching to solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your power bills, it’s environmentally friendly, and it can give you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, the startup costs are high and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.