Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for North St. Paul homes. Adopting solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. That’s why we’ve researched the options and assembled a guide to the most reputable solar providers in North St. Paul. These top companies offer high-quality and reliable services.
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
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 environment by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current installation best 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 review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) 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 barely any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Call three to five solar companies for free, itemized quotes. A quote should describe all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the option that aligns with your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty covers installation defects, such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties show that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar panels can help lower your electricity costs in the long run. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the technology used. The typical North St. Paul solar array has a capacity of 7.2 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $4,030 per kilowatt; the average North St. Paul homeowners spends roughly $20,356 on a new solar array after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce their 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 costs 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:
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
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar heating system for your water.
There are a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, raise your property values, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. North St. Paul can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year.
Absolutely. North St. Paul uses a balanced 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 significantly decrease 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 North St. Paul, the average amount someone can save is $1,482 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. A majority of solar contractors in the North St. Paul area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
While solar energy might not be the best option for some in wet or dark areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could boost your property's solar viability enough where you could achieve a return on investment. A contractor could also recommend a different primary source of renewable energy like wind or geothermal to boost your generation.
Ultimately, the answer will depend on your specific situation. You'll be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to let your insurer know about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.
