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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in White Bear Lake. A new solar energy system can help you provide a dependable source of power, add value to your property, and decrease your carbon footprint. Switching to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar providers and put together a guide to the best solar companies in White Bear Lake. These reputable providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Our Rating
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Our Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Our Rating
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Our Rating
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Our Rating
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Our Rating
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could lower your electricity payments while helping the environment 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 help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current best installation 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 put up a $25,000 minimum bond with the Department of Labor and Industry.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about 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.
To find a solar company that fits 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 option that best fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship guarantee covers any installation defects (such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties show that a company is confident in its work.
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.
The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the technology being used. The typical White Bear Lake solar array has a capacity of 7.2 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area should expect to pay around $4,030 per kilowatt; the average White Bear Lake homeowners spends roughly $20,363 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for factors such as the panel type, capacity, and size of the planned system, and should include costs for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
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
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heater.
There are many advantages of home solar energy. You can qualify for tax benefits, raise your property values, and save money. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on where you live and the kind of panels you plan to use. White Bear Lake can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the springtime to maximize your generation for the year.
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 White Bear Lake, the average amount someone can save is $1,457 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system after the payback period concludes.
Yes, solar panels can still generate 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 that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
Solar panels are on par with other forms of renewable energy. Their maintenance costs are low and today's systems can generate and manage energy under more conditions.