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3 Best Solar Companies in North Dakota

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Written By Todays Homeowner Local Pros

Last Updated February 2024

Top 3 Best Solar Companies in North Dakota

Lightspring Solar - North Dakota Solar Design & Install

Lightspring Solar - North Dakota Solar Design & Install Logo

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1002 N 5th St, Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 222-8887 lightspring.io

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Consultation
Permit assistance
Commercial panels
Energy efficiency audit
Skilled repairs
Residential panels
Community solar projects

Oztech Electric

Oztech Electric Logo

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1312 Basin Ave Suite B, Bismarck, ND 58504 (701) 390-6886 oztechelectric.com

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

Consultation
Skilled repairs
Commercial panels
Residential panels

Capital Electric Co-Op Inc

Capital Electric Co-Op Inc Logo

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7401 Yukon Dr, Bismarck, ND 58503 (701) 223-1513 capitalelec.com

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

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:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

Our team found the 3 solar companies on this list to have a long portfolio of reliable solar projects, exemplary professional standards, and a good customer reputation. The experts at Today's Homeowner are committed to finding, testing, and recommending you the most relevant, trustworthy, and innovative home improvement techniques, solutions, and companies. Click here to learn more about our mission and methods.

Annual Solar Facts For North Dakota

Average Max Temp:

51°F

Average Min Temp:

33°F

Average Daily Sunlight:

52%

Average CO2 Savings Per 5kW System:

90lbs CO2e/yr

Average Monthly Precipitation:

1.59"

Average Solar Savings Per 5kW System:

$760/yr

The Main Types of Residential Solar Systems

As you discuss options with your installer to design a solar solution, you'll decide between the three fundamental panel types available. Each type is suitable for different budgets and roof styles, but they all use the same reliable technology to power your home.

Monocrystalline

Monocrystalline panels use a single silicon crystal per cell, making them ideal for high generation capacity in a small footprint. You can identify them by their black color and rounded cells. Since they have more parts, they come at a higher-than-average starting price point. However, they also have the greatest lifespan and better ROI possibilities than other types of solar panels.

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline solar panels have navy blue cells made of multiple silicon fragments. Aside from their lower average price, they have a less wasteful manufacturing process.

Although polycrystalline panels can provide you with the same high capacity as a monocrystalline system, they'll require more space on your roof to achieve that capacity.

Thin-film

Thin-film solar panels use different metal alloys instead of silicon crystals. Some homeowners select them for their lower weight or ability to fit on non-rectangular roofs. Others select them for their greater heat resistance and low-light performance. Thin-film arrays are a great choice for value in more "partly sunny" areas of North Dakota. They retain efficiency as temperatures fluctuate and work with many different roof shapes.

Although some thin-film panels are about as efficient as polycrystalline panels, other models are far less efficient or have very short lifespans.

Solar Purchase Options

Where the earliest solar panels were expensive, today's technology can fit your home, environment, and budget. Depending on your contractor, you may have any or all of the following purchase options available to you:

  • Solar leases: With a solar lease, you'll make a monthly payment based on the energy the panels are predicted to produce. Your lease company can offer benefits such as no money down, covered regular maintenance, and a guarantee which provides for refunds if your panels don't reach their predicted target efficiency. However, they don't qualify for state or tax incentives and won't increase your property values. If you sell your house, the provider will remove the panels unless the buyer decides to continue with the lease.
  • Power purchase agreements (PPAs): If you enter a PPA, in place of paying the cost of the panels upfront, you'll pay your contractor an agreed amount for the power you generate. Each payment will often be less than what you would pay your utility for the same power. However, PPAs can be lengthy commitments, with some lasting up to 25 years. You could be subject to extra fees if you move out of your house or terminate of the contract.
  • Financing: Solar loans work like any other financing. You'll own the system once you finish paying off the loan, and since you're purchasing the panels, you can take advantage of tax breaks and other incentives during the payback period. A credit check may be required, but some specialty solar lenders may have better options for people with a less-than-ideal credit history.
Besides the price of the panels, your bill will also contain the cost of your contractor's labor and preliminary work done by other contractors. An application fee may be required if you want to participate in net metering.

Residential Solar Incentives and Cost Support

You might be eligible for financial incentives for installing home solar panels, like the following:

  • Rebates: Rebates are direct incentives from utility companies or manufacturers. The application process for a rebate will vary from program to program, but generally, your contractor will have to submit plans or receipts and prove that they're certified to work on your project. Sometimes, the contractor will receive the payment and give you a discount on their work. Other times, you'll get the money as a direct payment or a credit on your power bill.
  • Tax credits: Depending on where you live, your local authorities may offer income tax credits or even property tax exemptions on new solar panels. The IRS also offers a 30% tax credit on "residential clean energy" equipment, which you can apply for by filing Form 5695 for the year when you install the panels.
  • Net metering: Net metering is a program that utilities and states use to add renewable energy capacity and fortify their grid. If your solar array generates more power than you actually use, you can send the excess generation to the grid in exchange for bill credits.
  • Net billing: There's a national trend toward more utilities retiring net metering for net billing schemes. Fundamentally speaking, both programs work the same. However, with net billing, you sell the electricity to your utility company instead of receiving credits for your excess solar generation. Compensation will usually be at a wholesale or avoided-cost rate, which is lower than retail.

Solar Energy By the Numbers in North Dakota

Here's a brief look at the state of solar energy in North Dakota.

  • Solar energy has enabled the creation of 232 jobs in North Dakota, with more added as companies grow and technology continues to improve.
  • A five-kilowatt solar array in North Dakota has an average payback period of 12.8 years. That said, you would also save $756.00 on your energy bill.
  • In North Dakota, the average new home solar array is rated for up to 10.4 kW and costs $25,288.
  • Without solar, the average family spends about $1,320 each year on their electricity bill.
  • North Dakota generates 4 MW of residential solar energy, powering 149 homes and counting.

Useful Resources

If you'd like to learn more about solar energy in your area, take a look at these pages and resources:

  • PVWatts: PVWatts is a helpful online tool that lets you virtually experiment with different solar configuration ideas on your house. You can determine how much energy your system would produce and see which orientations would give you the greatest ROI.
  • DSIRE: One of the most comprehensive solar incentive databases available is DSIRE. You can find a tailored list of incentives based on your address, electric company, and the type of solar system you're installing. Remember that these programs change as policymakers update their budgets and targets. Don't forget to ask your contractor about the incentive programs they participate in and which others you may qualify for.
  • Solar companies by city: You can find Today's Homeowner solar company recommendations specific to your city, including the following larger areas in your state: FARGO,ND, BISMARCK,ND, GRAND FORKS,ND, MINOT,ND and WEST FARGO,ND.

North Dakota Solar Incentives Guide

Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: ecowatch.com

Incentive Amount:

30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in North Dakota

A solar water heating system might be the best place to start if you don't have much roof space or want to install fewer panels. However, if you have the space and budget for a photovoltaic array that can power your entire home, you'll have the best possible value and versatility.

Solar energy is more effective and versatile than other renewable energy sources. You can utilize solar power for any appliance or fixture in your home or sell it to the grid for more savings.

In today's market, homeowners can choose from three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are the most efficient, with a conversion rate of roughly 22%. Polycrystalline panels convert around 17%, while thin-film panels convert only around 15%.

Before hiring any contractor, you should verify their expertise and credentials to ensure they're qualified for your project. A quality contractor will keep an unobtrusive and safe work environment, practice clear and regular communication, and find ways to minimize your costs without compromising on safety or efficiency.

In North Dakota, homeowners with a 5 kW solar system can expect to cut $756.00 from their bills per year. Based on the efficiency and size of your solar array, you could save thousands of dollars on your energy bills over the life of the panels.

For your solar panels to perform at their peak, you'll want to ensure you have enough sunlight in your area. North Dakota has a smaller amount of daily sunlight compared to the national average, but this doesn't mean that solar is unviable for your specific home. For specific details on your property's solar viability, visit a website like PVWatts and discuss your findings with your contractor.

The most ideal time of year to install solar panels is in the spring or fall when the temperature is still generally cool. This way, your new system will perform more efficiently, and you'll experience the best possible savings during the winter or summer months when energy use trends higher.

Net metering is the system that rewards homeowners for sending excess solar energy back to the grid. When you have solar panels installed, you'll usually have two meters — one that tracks how much power your panels produce and another that tracks how much energy you are using from or sending to the grid. Your utility will credit you at the wholesale, retail and avoided-cost rate for power you send back to the grid.

It likely will. Many insurance companies offer benefits to their customers if something happens to their solar system, so long as it was added to the policy prior to the accident. Before purchasing your new system, you should contact your insurance agent for the specifics about what your policy will cover. Know that since solar panels add value to your home, your premium will go up.

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