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Written By Todays Homeowner Local Pros
Last Updated February 2024
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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:
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.
51°F
33°F
52%
90lbs CO2e/yr
1.59"
$760/yr
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 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 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 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.
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:
You might be eligible for financial incentives for installing home solar panels, like the following:
Here's a brief look at the state of solar energy in North Dakota.
If you'd like to learn more about solar energy in your area, take a look at these pages and resources:
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.