7 Best Solar Companies in Mankato, MN (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 7 in Mankato based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Mankato, MN
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Mankato homeowner saves $1,534/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Mankato
When you’re on the hunt for the best solar companies in Mankato, combing through all the options can be intimidating, but it can pay off since switching to solar energy can offer so many good perks. Due to Mankato's decent level of sunshine on average, the solar industry has been growing steadily.
If you want to take advantage of the many perks of solar, we can help you narrow down your options to find the Mankato solar installer that’s in the right price range for you.To get an estimate of what it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 Mankato
The Solar Store Mankato
Free Quotes- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Battery Storage
SolarPod
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Everlight Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
Austin Electric
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
American Energy LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Go Green Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Renewable Solar Resources
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Mankato
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Mankato 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 Mankato
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 Mankato
For many readers, the decision of which solar installer to choose depends on costs.Some important things that impact the cost and possible savings include:
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- average energy usage: The more power your household uses on average and the greater your current electricity bills are, the more money you could save by switching to solar.
- The amount of sunlight your house gets: Thanks to Mankato’s relatively low amount of average daily sunlight, you might not see as many savings on your electric bills.
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your power bills, which can generate an average of $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
Though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your energy consumption.
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Solar Incentives in Mankato
In an effort to increase solar panel installation and usage, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make going solar more economically viable and accessible.Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 0 of your project costs when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. Our article on solar incentives has more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Mankato.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Mankato
If you’re planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to lower your greenhouse gas emissions.Something many homeowners might have in mind is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? The more energy your family uses, the the more the environment will benefit from you switching to solar since you won’t need to rely on traditional energy sources as much.Since solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they’re a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. Since solar energy is renewable and produces electricity without releasing carbon emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help preserve the environment.
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 Mankato, MN Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Mankato?
The highest-rated local solar company in Mankato is The Solar Store Mankato, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Most of the time, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, which means they can convert that percentage of the sun’s energy into usable electricity.
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.