Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Brainerd residents. Making the transition to solar energy can help you save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. That’s why we’ve researched the options and compiled a guide to the most trustworthy solar Installers in Brainerd. These top providers offer high-quality and reliable services.
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
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:
Installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is the best option for you, consider these key factors.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This ensures that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. To install a new photovoltaic system in Minnesota, a contractor must have an electrician or electrical contractor 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 have a $25,000 minimum bond with the Department of Labor and Industry.
Check review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
To find a solar company that fits your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from at least three 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 have strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Solar energy is great for helping you lower electricity bills over time. Make sure you consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
In Brainerd, solar panels cost an average of $4,030 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 7.2 kilowatts. The typical Brainerd homeowner spends $20,390 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information based on your desired system's panel type, capacity, size, and required preliminary work. 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) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar water heating system.
With home solar panels, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, which means you can reap the savings and environmental benefits of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
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 Brainerd, 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.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, the average sunlight in your area, and their rated capacity. Brainerd gets a moderate amount of sunlight each day, so you could expect a maximum payback period of 16.5 years per 5 kW of power depending on other factors.
Yes. Solar panels exist independently from the power grid in Brainerd and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Bear in mind, however, that a solar system without a storage system cannot keep you running through a nighttime outage. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
Solar panels are gaining wider adoption for their low upkeep costs and high efficiency under a variety of conditions. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
