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 June 2024
Year after year, more East Grand Forks homeowners turn to rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and add value to their property. Making the switch to solar power can help cut your utility bills and reduce your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a qualified installation company first. That’s why we’ve reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the most reliable solar providers in East Grand Forks. These top companies offer high-quality and reliable services.
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could reduce your electricity payments while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when researching local solar installers are as follows.
It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This ensures that the work is done properly 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 review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and TrustPilot to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have very few reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact 3–5 solar companies to receive free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and list the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the option that best fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation problems such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels. The performance warranty ensures a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Switching to solar power can help decrease your energy expenses over time. Be sure to evaluate these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the solar technology being used. The typical East Grand Forks solar array has a capacity of 7.2 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay approximately $4,030 per kilowatt; the average East Grand Forks homeowners spends roughly $20,405 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar company will account for factors such as the panel type, size, and capacity of the planned system, and should include prices for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees.
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
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar energy, 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.
It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. East Grand Forks can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year.
Of course. East Grand Forks uses an even mixture of solar energy and conventional power sources. While your panels at home will save you money and lower your home's individual emissions, you'll still benefit from access 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 East Grand Forks, the average amount someone can save is $1,297 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done.
The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should inspect your panels for damage and clean them regularly. Full-service solar contractors in the East Grand Forks area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system.
Net metering is a power purchasing policy that allows solar energy system owners to receive bill credits or payments for the amount of energy they put back into the grid. It's available in most states and is a great way to reduce energy costs.
Solar energy can be more efficient than other forms of renewable energy. Their maintenance costs are low and today's systems can work in a variety of conditions.
