Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in Cottage Grove. A solar panel array can help you add value to your property, decrease your carbon footprint, and provide a dependable source of power. Adopting solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. That’s why we’ve researched the options and compiled a guide to the most dependable solar providers in Cottage Grove. These top companies offer high-quality and reliable services.
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
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 crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. 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 TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar installers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you assess a provider's integrity and customer service. Avoid providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
Contact at least three solar companies to receive free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and list the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the most cost-effective option for you.
Quality solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee addresses any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Solar energy can help you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of home solar panels in Cottage Grove varies depending on several factors, including the size of the system and the type of solar technology being used. Generally speaking, a typical solar energy system could range from $4,030 per kilowatt, not including labor, permit fees, or preliminary work. Most solar systems in Cottage Grove are 7.2 kilowatts, and the typical Cottage Grove homeowners spends $20,370 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer leasing their 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:
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $50
Natural Gas Furnace Existing Home: $200-$400
Natural Gas Furnace New Construction: $100-$200
Natural Gas Hot Water Boiler: $100-$400
ECM Furnace: $100
Central AC: $150-$450
Tank Water Heater: $75-$500
Tankless Water Heater: $250
Attic/Wall Insulation: 30% of project cost
Air Sealing: $150-$200
Furnaces: $200-$425
Boilers: $125-$400
ECM Motor Furnace Fan: $125
Programmable Thermostat: $10
Heat Pumps: $175-$475
Water Heating: $100-$250
Clothes Washer: $10
Refrigerator: $15
Ground Source Heat Pump: $150/ton
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:
LEDs: up to $2/bulb
LED Yard Light: $30/fixture
Clothes Dryer: $25
Central AC/Heat Pump Tune-Up: $25
Central A/C Installation: $280- $330 depending on SEER rating
Air-Source Heat Pump Installation: $480- $630 depending on SEER rating
Ductless Air-Source Heat Pump: $300 - $500
Geothermal Heat Pump: $400/ton
Electric Thermal Storage Heat: $50/kW
Electric Water Heater: Up to $400
Heat Pump Water Heater: up to $400
Refrigerator: $75
Freezer: $75
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $75
ECM Furnace Motor: $100
Pool Pump Variable Speed Motor: $200
Air-Source Heat Pump Pool Heater: $400
Solar Panel Installation: $0.50/watt of installed solar, not to exceed $4,000
Load Management: Varies
A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar heating system for your water.
With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
Yes. The grid in Cottage Grove already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Cottage Grove amount to $1,401.
The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should inspect your panels for damage and clean them regularly. A majority of solar contractors in the Cottage Grove area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
Although solar energy is an ideal option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, a contractor might recommend other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to provide you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system can keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider and look for a solar system that includes a battery backup.
