Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Baxter homeowners. A new solar energy system can help you decrease your carbon footprint, add value to your property, and provide a dependable source of power. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a qualified solar installer. That’s why, after reviewing and analyzing installers, we put together a guide to the most trusted solar companies in Baxter. These companies offer dependable quality service.
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Going solar can be a great way to reduce electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating if a solar installer is reliable.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. To install a new photovoltaic system in Minnesota, a contractor must have an electrical contractor or electrician license from the Department of Labor and Industry, along with a residential building or remodeling contractors' license in some cases. If their work is regulated by the state's Mechanical Code, they must carry a $25,000 minimum bond with the Department of Labor and Industry.
Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar providers. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's integrity and customer service. Avoid providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
To find a solar company that works with your budget, get free, detailed quotes from three to five providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the best value.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation problems such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The performance warranty promises a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Solar is great for helping you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
In Baxter, solar panels cost an average of $4,030 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 7.2 kilowatts. The typical Baxter homeowner spends $20,390 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information reflecting your desired system's panel type, required preliminary work, size, and capacity. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Solar: 100% exemption from real property taxes
Wind: 100% exemption from real and personal property taxes
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of sales tax
Incentive Amount:
Dishwasher: $35
Clothes Washer: $35
Electric Clothes Dryer: $35
Refrigerator: $35
Freezer: $35
Dehumidifier: $20
Room/Window A/C: $35
High Efficiency Electric Water Heater: $35
Central A/C Tune-Up: $35
Central A/C: $200-$350
Mini Split/Ductless A/C: $250
ECM Replacement Motor: $100
Furnaces: $200-$375
Heat Pump Water Heater: $250
Air Source Heat Pump: $250
Geothermal Heat Pump: $100/ton
Incentive Amount:
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $50
Refrigerator: $30
Freezer: $30
Dehumidifier: $25
Central AC: $50
Air Source Heat Pump: $300-$1200
Electronically Commutated Motors: Varies, see program website
Ground Source Heat Pump: $200-$400 per ton plus $200 for ECM motor
Smart Thermostat: $75
Lighting: $3-$15
Ceiling Fan: $10
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400
Drain Water Heat Recovery: $400
Incentive Amount:
Comprehensive Measures: $2,000
Central A/C: $50
Drain Water Heat Recovery unit: $400
Air Source Heat Pumps: $50 - $1,000
Drain Water Heat Recovery Unit: $400
Ground Source Heat Pump: $200-$300
Electronically Commutated Motors: $200-$600 (higher incentive levels are in combination with central AC or Air Source Heat Pumps)
ENERGY STAR Appliances:
Refrigerator: $30
Freezer: $30
Dehumidifier: $10
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $50
Heat Pump Water Heater: $50
LED Bulbs: $3-$5
LED Fixtures: $10 - $15
Incentive Amount:
Air Conditioning Tune-Up: $25
Air Source Heat Pump: $300 - $750
Boiler or Plenum Heater: $400
Clothes Washer: $40
Cycled Air Conditioning: $30 - $75
Ductless (Mini-Split) Air Source Heat Pump: $100 per interior head
Electronically Commuted Motor: $50
Fluorescent Bulb Recycling: $2/bulb
Freezer: $75
Geothermal Heat Pump: $100/ton
LED: $1/bulb
Refrigerator: $65
Smart Thermostat: $20/unit
Water Heater: $200
Off-Peak Water Heater: $300-$400
Off-Peak (thermal storage) home heating: $50/kW
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar heating system for your water.
With home solar PV, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Baxter, the average amount someone can save is $1,233 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system after the payback period concludes.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. In areas like Baxter with moderate sunlight, the period could last 16.5 years per 5 kW of power, but may be shorter if you have low electricity costs or a smaller energy capacity.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can send the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Solar panels can be more efficient than other forms of renewable energy. They have low maintenance costs and today's systems can stand up to the worst conditions.
