3 Best Solar Companies in Detroit Lakes, MN (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Detroit Lakes based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Detroit Lakes, MN
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Detroit Lakes homeowner saves $1,343/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 20, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Detroit Lakes

Do you want energy freedom in Detroit Lakes? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding project since you can enjoy lots of benefits after adopting solar power. Because solar panels generate their own energy, they can greatly lower your electricity bill each month, if not completely eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $16,000 of savings over 20 years.


If you want to take advantage of the many benefits of solar, we’ll help you narrow down your options to find the Detroit Lakes solar installer that’s in the right price range for you.To help you know if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Detroit Lakes by clicking the button below.

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Detroit Lakes

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Holsen Home Automation & Solar

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: https://www.holsenhome.com/
Address: 1709 1st Ave N Suite M, Fargo, ND 58102
Phone: 2187876527
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Todavich Electric Inc

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: https://www.todavichelectric.com/
Address: 10330 Irvine Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 2187511699
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL)

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: http://www.rreal.org/
Address: 3963 8th St SW, Backus, MN 56435
Phone: 2183017419

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Detroit Lakes

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Detroit Lakes 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 Detroit Lakes


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 Detroit Lakes

Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your panels.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:

  • Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $16,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years without incentives.
  • Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
  • Electricity consumption: The average household in Detroit Lakes uses a decent amount of, and so may save on their energy bills.
  • The amount of sunlight your area gets: Due to Detroit Lakes’s relatively low amount of average daily sunlight, you might not see as many savings on your electricity bills.

So are solar panels worth it? Whether you’re trying to reduce your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Detroit Lakes homeowners.

Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}

If you'd like to know what your impact could be if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Detroit Lakes, MN.

{{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings{{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }}
Estimated cost{{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}
Estimated incentives{{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }}
Payback period{{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years
CO2 emissions prevented{{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs
Miles driven equivalent{{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi
Why leave {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} on the table? Help the environment and your wallet by switching to solar. SAVE NOW

Electricity rate:
{{ solarcalc.elec_cost/10 }} ¢
Shade:
{{ solarcalc.shade }} %
Time period:
{{ solarcalc.time_period }} years
System size:
{{ solarcalc.system_size }} kW
Additional Incentives:
{{ solarcalc.additional_incentives|currency }}

Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.

Solar Incentives in Detroit Lakes

One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 0 of how much your solar project cost on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives are available to you.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Detroit Lakes

Replacing nonrenewable energy with solar power is a powerful way to do your part for a more sustainable future.But how much can installing solar panels actually affect the environment? An important thing to consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if your commute is very long, your footprint may be greater, so adopting solar power for your home can help offset that.In Detroit Lakes, the average person can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. As you can see, using solar power has so many other rewards besides saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the Earth too.

Best Social Impact

Palmetto Solar

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Makes charitable contributions
  • Certified B Corp
  • No leases or PPAs
  • Quality of installation may vary by location

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2
  • 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 Detroit Lakes, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the most reputable solar installation company in Detroit Lakes?

In Detroit Lakes, Holsen Home Automation & Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your home.

Are solar panels actually good for the environment?

Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.

Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?

Solar panels call for a considerable upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.

How often do solar panels need to be replaced?

Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had 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.