Minnesota is one of 20 states committed to converting to 100% carbon-free energy by 2040, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI). The state offers several incentives to support this initiative and make solar more affordable for homeowners. Plus, Americans can save $50,000 on average over a solar panel system’s 25-year lifespan.
Minnesota’s climate is ideal for solar generation, with long summer days that maximize sunlight exposure and increase potential savings. Keep reading to learn about our picks for the best solar companies in Minnesota.
Compare Solar Companies Across MN
| Company | Logo | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Warranties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Raven SolarGet Quote | | A+ | 25-year panels, 10-year workmanship | |
All Energy SolarRead Our Review |  | A+ | ||
MN Solar and More, LLC |  | A+ | ||
Tesla SolarRead Our Review |  | NR | 25-year equipment, 10-year workmanship |
Minnesota’s Top Solar Energy Companies
- Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
- All Energy Solar: Best Full-Service Installer
- MN Solar and More, LLC: Best Local Minnesota Installer
- Tesla Solar: Best Solar Tech
Our Picks for Best Solar Installers in Minnesota
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers in-house financing options
- Offers 18 months of free solar for new customers
- Has an excellent industry reputation and numerous awards
Cons
- Offers only two payment options
- Provides only a two-year power guarantee
- Limits its labor warranty to only 10 years
How We Scored Blue Raven Solar
Blue Raven Solar has earned a reputation for trustworthiness. The company offers in-house financing with five years of fixed rates, making solar more affordable. It also works with leading solar brands, such as Silfab and Q Cells, to create quality and long-lasting solar panel systems.
We recommend Blue Raven Solar if you’re looking for the best financing options. The company’s BluePower Plus+ financing program requires little to no money down and fixed interest rates.* Unlike other solar installers, it doesn’t use third-party lenders, making the financing process easier and more convenient.
*Subject to credit approval.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
A Blue Raven system has a 25-year product warranty, a 10-year workmanship warranty, and a two-year production guarantee.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
Reputation and Awards
Blue Raven Solar is accredited by the BBB and has an A+ rating on the site. Customer reviews mention the friendly and helpful customer service staff and knowledgeable installers. Some reviews note aggressive sales tactics from door-to-door salespeople.
The company has received numerous awards from Comparably, which evaluates companies’ culture and reputation. Recognitions included Best Operations Team 2022, Best Places to Work in Salt Lake City 2022, and Best Company Outlook 2022.
Learn more: Blue Raven Solar review
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Full-service solar installer with roofing and building contractor licenses
- NABCEP-certified solar panel installer
- Extensive catalog of top-selling solar panel brands
Cons
- Customers noted higher-than-average pricing for its solar equipment
- Roofing services only available within 80 miles of Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Varying manufacturer and performance coverage
Why We Chose All Energy Solar
All Energy Solar offers full-service installation with its in-house team, plus general electrical and solar-specific roofing services. The company handles all aspects of the installation process, including assisting customers with applying for local solar incentives. All Energy Solar holds certification with the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the most respected certifications in the solar industry.
All Energy Solar offers Minnesota homeowners a one-stop shop for solar and home services. The company can even update your roof before installing solar panels, eliminating the need for additional contractors.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
All Energy Solar offers 25- to 30-year production warranties and varying manufacturer warranties, depending on the solar equipment. Workmanship warranties also vary depending on the equipment.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
Reputation and Awards
All Energy Solar was founded in 2009 by brothers Michael and Brian Allen. Since then, the family business has grown to serve 50 states for commercial projects and six states for residential installations.
The company holds an A+ rating with the BBB and is accredited. We noted that customer reviews praised All Energy’s excellent customer service and guided installation process. We found a few reviewers who were displeased with their delayed installations.
Learn more: All Energy Solar review
MN Solar and More, LLC
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Add-on equipment includes system monitoring and whole-home surge protectors
- Solar batteries and EV chargers
- Referral program pays up to $500
Cons
- Additional cost for extended warranty coverage up to 25 years
- Less than 10 years of solar industry experience
- Limited service area
Why We Chose MN Solar and More, LLC
MN Solar and Moore (known as MN Solar) is a great choice for St. Paul and Minneapolis residents interested in a local installer. The company focuses on a smaller service area to offer customers a more tailored experience. Residents can benefit from the company’s extensive knowledge about the Twin Cities metro area, including local permitting laws and solar incentives. You’ll also receive faster response times for service and technical issues.
MN Solar offers customized solar systems with various solar panel, battery, and EV charger brands. The company designs, plans, and installs all systems with its local, in-house team, eliminating third-party contractors. MN Solar also offers some pricing information on its website, plus details about its extended warranties, monitoring software, and critter guards.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
MN Solar offers varying manufacturer warranties depending on your selected panels. The company includes a 10-year workmanship warranty on all installations. Customers can pay for extended warranty coverage for up to 25 years.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan
Reputation and Awards
MN Solar originally focused on biomass and wind energy but later shifted to solar. The women-owned company maintains a smaller focus on the Twin Cities metro area to offer more personalized services.
MN Solar is accredited by the BBB and holds an A+ rating. While analyzing customer reviews, we noticed that the company has mostly 4- or 5-star ratings across numerous review sites. Common comments revolved around the company’s knowledgeable staff, excellent communication, and quick installations.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low-profile rooftop panels and solar roofing options
- Popular Tesla Powerwall available with all installations
- Transparent pricing online
Cons
- Installations completed exclusively by third-party installers
- Solar loans offered only in select areas
- Customer reviews call out difficulty with scheduling repair work
Why We Chose Tesla
Tesla offers high-tech solar solutions for residential customers, from advanced solar roofing to the powerful Tesla Powerwall. It stands out as one of the only companies to offer full, transparent pricing online before ever speaking to a representative. Whereas most solar companies require a consultation before revealing any pricing, Tesla has an online system that analyzes your home’s design and average energy bills to provide a custom quote. You can adjust your system’s configuration to add more panels and up to 10 Tesla Powerwall batteries.
Warranty and Financing
Warranty
Tesla includes 10-year comprehensive warranty coverage for product and workmanship and a 25-year performance warranty.
Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan (in select areas)
Reputation and Awards
Tesla began developing innovative solar products based on its successful automotive technology in 2003. It ultimately created the Tesla solar roof and Tesla Inverter in addition to providing traditional solar panels.
Tesla is not accredited by the BBB but holds an A+ rating. We noticed while reading reviews that many customers praised Tesla’s panel technology and the Powerwall’s performance but called out scheduling issues for service and repair.
Learn more: Tesla Solar review
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Minnesota?
Going solar in Minnesota can be more affordable thanks to several state-specific incentives. These programs can lower your solar installation costs, eliminate state taxes, and provide ongoing credits for using renewable energy. Here’s a breakdown of the available solar incentives in Minnesota.
- Federal Solar Tax Credit: The federal solar tax credit provides a tax deduction equal to 30% of your solar installation costs. You must legally own your solar system to qualify, meaning you must pay for your system in full or take out a loan. Solar leasing and solar power purchase agreement (PPA) customers aren’t eligible for this credit.
- Minnesota solar tax incentives: Minnesota offers two solar tax incentives that don’t require additional applications or paperwork:
- Solar sales tax exemption: Minnesota eliminates the 6.875% state sales tax for qualifying solar energy products, including photovoltaic (PV) panels, power inverters, batteries, and other solar equipment.
- Solar property tax exemption: Home solar systems often increase home values, which can result in bigger taxes at appraisal time. This exemption saves you money on property taxes for your solar installation in Minnesota.
- Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs): Minnesota utilities generate power using renewables to meet state-mandated Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). SRECs allow you to “sell” your energy to the utility to contribute to its renewable energy targets. While there’s no statewide SREC program, community solar programs are active throughout the state.
Is Net-Metering Available in Minnesota?
Yes, net-metering is available in Minnesota. The state mandates it for all energy companies, electric cooperatives, and municipal utilities.
Net-metering programs offer solar customers bill credits in exchange for their unused solar energy. This energy feeds into the grid to balance the utility’s supply and reduces your monthly energy costs or pays them out as cash.
We recommend confirming your utility’s net-metering policy and how it’s structured before buying a system. It’s important to ensure your system is built to match your home’s usage—not “overproduce” for ongoing financial credit.
We recommend checking the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) to view all incentives in your area.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
Solar companies offer varying services, warranties, and financing options. We’ve compiled this list of top features to look for when shopping for a provider.
Solar Services
Solar installers may provide installation through an in-house team or rely on third-party installers. When reading solar customer reviews, we noticed that some homeowners experienced communication issues when working with third-party installers.
We recommend looking for companies that offer added services, such as system monitoring through dedicated apps or web portals. These tools help you keep your system working optimally and let you monitor its performance. In select cases, companies may offer full-home energy audits to improve your energy efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint.
Warranties and Power Production Guarantees
System warranties vary between companies but could include separate warranties for solar components or a comprehensive warranty for the entire system. During our research, we found that a typical solar company offers a 10-year product or manufacturer warranty covering component defects and issues. Workmanship warranties protect against problems caused by faulty installation. Typical solar panels last 25 years or more, so we recommend choosing companies with at least two decades of warranty coverage to protect your system throughout its lifetime.
Many solar installers also include power production guarantees that outline your panels’ expected power production at the end of your warranty. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), panels degrade in efficiency by 0.5% per year. Power production guarantees can last 10–15 years for cheap solar panels or 25 years for top-quality options.
Payment Options
Most solar companies offer two or more payment options, including cash payments or solar loans. These options make you the legal owner of your system and qualify you for solar incentives, credits, and rebates that save you money. Note that solar loans will increase your overall investment due to interest rates.
Selecting a solar lease means you’ll pay monthly installments to rent your solar panels. A power purchase agreement (PPA) means you’ll pay monthly only for the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. Both options keep system ownership with your provider and disqualify you from incentives.
How To Get a Solar Quote in Minnesota
Before you choose a solar provider, compare multiple quotes to get the best value and performance. Here’s an overview of the typical process.
- Connect with solar companies: Reach out through online forms or by phone. Be ready with your address to confirm service availability. You’ll then schedule an in-person or virtual consultation.
- Assess your energy needs: During the consultation, evaluate your energy usage to determine the right system size. Have recent energy bills handy, ideally covering at least three months, to account for seasonal changes.
- Review your roof design and space: The installer will analyze your roof’s condition and space and any obstructions like trees. They’ll use satellite imagery for online assessments and may advise on necessary upgrades or repairs.
- Review your quote: You’ll receive a detailed quote with equipment info, warranty options, financing, and a projected payback period. Consider adding extras like solar batteries or EV chargers if available.
Our Conclusion
We recommend Blue Raven as the top provider in Minnesota due to its top-quality solar systems and 18 months of free solar for homeowners.
We recommend getting quotes from at least three solar providers and comparing their solar products, warranties, and services.
Other Minnesota Home Service Resources
FAQs About Solar Companies in Minnesota
How many solar companies are in Minnesota?
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Minnesota has 168 solar companies. This figure includes 58 installers and developers, 37 solar manufacturers, and 73 other solar-related businesses.
Are solar panels a good investment in Minnesota?
Yes, solar panels are worth it in Minnesota. The state has high electricity rates, meaning homeowners stand to save more by going solar. It also has several solar incentives to make the switch more affordable.
Can an HOA prevent solar panels in Minnesota?
Unfortunately, Minnesota has no laws preventing homeowners associations (HOAs) from blocking solar panel installations. However, lawmakers are proposing a new bill that protects homeowners’ solar rights from HOA restrictions.
Do solar panels work in Minnesota winters?
Yes, solar panels work even during harsh Minnesota winters. In fact, solar panels work better in cooler temperatures. Your panels may produce less energy during winter due to reduced sunlight and impacted snow, but that doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from solar power during this time.
Our Rating Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for solar providers is on a 100-point system based on five factors:
- Payment options (40 points): Options include purchase, loan, lease, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Companies receive points for each of the four options they provide.
- Solar services (30 points): Does the company provide in-house installation of solar panels and battery backups? Can the company also monitor energy production and perform energy-efficiency audits to ensure system performance? The more options available, the higher the score.
- Warranty options (10 points): The success of a residential solar system depends on the workmanship, performance guarantees, and length of product coverage. The more warranties a company offers, the higher the score it receives.
- State availability (10 points): We award the most points to companies with the broadest service area and state availability.
- Reputation (10 points): We factor in how the Business Better Bureau (BBB) scores each company. We deduct points for any alerts or pending lawsuits.
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
