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3 Best Solar Companies in South Dakota (2024 Guide)

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Author Image Written by Tamara Jude Updated 11/07/2024

South Dakota generates most of its electricity from hydroelectricity and wind energy, but it falls short on solar energy use. Given that the state has an above-average number of sunny days per year, solar energy could be another invaluable resource for residents. Along with reducing your carbon footprint, solar energy helps reduce your energy costs. 

Our team spent more than 60 hours researching the top solar installers on both the state and national level. Learn about our picks for South Dakota’s best solar companies.


Compare Solar Energy Companies in South Dakota

Company Star Rating Warranties Payment Options Link
4.0
25 year manufacturer coverage Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
3.8
N/A N/A GET QUOTE
4.0
10-25 years Full purchase, loan GET QUOTE
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South Dakota’s Top Solar Energy Companies

Best Regional Dakotas Installer: GenPro Energy Solutions
Best Regional South Dakota Installer: Wegner Roofing and Solar
Best Solar Tech: Tesla

Our Top Picks for Solar Panels in South Dakota

GenPro Energy Solutions

Best Regional Installer
4

GenPro Energy Solutions provides grid-tied, off-grid systems and backup power solutions to homeowners throughout the Dakotas.

Pros and Cons

Pros Additional solar-powered installations offered Battery and standby generator options Grid-tied, grid-tied plus battery, and off-grid installations Cons Limited solar panel selection No workmanship coverage Power production coverage varies by product

Why We Chose GenPro Energy Solutions

GenPro Energy Solutions builds customized solar systems for Dakotas residents in grid-tied and off-grid configurations. The company also offers grid-tied systems with solar energy storage to provide backup solutions during emergencies. If you need more powerful backup options, GenPro Energy Solutions has automatic standby generators that activate when a power outage occurs. 

The company offers other solar services that extend your system’s functionality, such as solar-powered water pumps and lighting. Additional products include UVC sanitation solutions and LED lighting.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty
GenPro Energy Solution panels have a 25-year manufacturer’s coverage. Some products include power production guarantees, but coverage varies between products. 

Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan

Reputation and Awards

GenPro Energy Solutions has been a staple on Solar Power World’s Top Solar Contractors list from 2013–2021. The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and is accredited. GenPro Energy Solutions has received primarily positive reviews. Homeowners praised the company for its fair pricing, installation quality, and excellent customer service. 

Wegner Roofing and Solar

Best Regional South Dakota Installer
3.8

Wegner Roofing and Solar is one of the few South Dakota installers that specializes in both roofing services and solar shingle installations. 

Pros and Cons

Pros Solar shingle installations Full-service roofing company GAF Energy-certified solar installer Cons No NABCEP certification No solar panel or battery installations offered Service area limited to Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Spearhead

Why We Chose Wegner Roofing and Solar

Starting as a full-service roofing and siding contractor, Wegner Roofing and Solar expanded its services to solar roofing installations. The company installs the Timberline Solar roofing system, a minimalist solar shingle system that integrates into your roof design. These durable panels can withstand winds up to 130 mph and offer the protection of traditional roofing materials. Wegner is a great choice for those considering buying solar shingles.

Wegner Roofing and Solar includes a roof assessment during its solar consultation, offering repair or replacement recommendations. It also offers siding services.

Warranty and Financing

Warranty
Wegner Roofing & Solar includes a 50-Year non-prorated manufacturer’s warranty with each installation. Additional coverage includes a 15-year unlimited wind warranty and a 10- to 25-year workmanship warranty (varies by coverage plan). 

Financing Options
✔ Full purchase
✔ Loan

Reputation and Awards

Wegner Roofing & Solar won Build Magazine’s 2002 Construction and Engineering Award for Roofing Company of the Year: The Dakotas. The company maintains an A+ rating from the BBB and is accredited by the organization. Homeowners praised Wagner Roofing & Solar for its knowledgeable staff and prompt installations but called out the company for delayed timelines. 

Tesla Solar Best Solar Tech
4

Tesla offers some of the best residential solar technology, such as rooftop panels, solar roofing, and the popular Tesla Powerwall battery. 

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. Read our guide for more information about the acquisition cost of a Powerwall and how buying multiple reduces the expense.

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.

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.


Does South Dakota Provide Solar Incentives?

South Dakota offers very limited solar incentives for homeowners. The federal solar tax credit offers the best savings on solar panel costs. Homeowners receive 30% off installation charges for qualifying solar panel equipment, such as roofing and solar batteries. You must own your solar system to qualify for the federal tax credit. 

State-level incentives include the Renewable Energy System Exemption. This policy offers a property tax exemption for solar systems. Although adding a solar system increases home value, it also increases property tax. This incentive reduces those added taxes but does not eliminate them completely. South Dakota’s policy offers an exemption for the first $50,000 or 70% of the assessed solar system value, whichever is greater. This exemption applies to all solar systems up to 5 megawatts (MW) capacity. 

Although not mandated statewide, South Dakota electric companies offer net-metering programs. Homeowners can send back excess energy in exchange for energy bill credits. These credits remain on your account and help offset future electricity rates. Homeowners should contact their utility company for more details on net-metering and interconnection options. 

South Dakota offers additional rebates for energy efficiency upgrades and solar-powered appliances. Residents should check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) for additional areawide solar and efficiency incentives.


What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?

Compare the following services and benefits when shopping for solar installation companies. 

Solar Services

Providers complete their solar panel installations with in-house installers or third-party contractors. Since in-house installers work directly for the solar provider, they maintain better installation quality and better communication throughout the process. Third-party installers increase your chances of a faulty installation since teams vary in different areas. Communication is divided between the third-party team and the providers, leading to more miscommunication and possible delays. We recommend using installers with in-house teams.  

Some solar companies offer services to help keep your system running smoothly. These services include solar monitoring and dedicated apps that offer panel performance insight. They may also offer home upgrade services. Here are some common solar and home services offered by providers: 

  • Dedicated mobile app or web portal
  • Electrical services 
  • Energy efficiency audits
  • Energy monitoring equipment
  • Roofing services
  • Smart home upgrades
  • Solar system monitoring

Warranties

Solar panel systems warranties should last as long as the average panel life span of 25 years. We found that top-quality home panels have 25 years or longer of coverage, while cheaper solar panels offer 15 years or less. You’ll receive one or more coverage types with your solar system. Below are the most common warranty types:

  • Manufacturer’s (or product) warranty: This plan protects your system against manufacturing defects. 
  • Workmanship (or labor) warranty: This warranty covers any installation-related problems. 
  • Power performance guarantee: This coverage includes an estimated timeline of your panels’ performance through their warranty period and offers replacements or repair options if panels fail to meet specifications. 

Warranty coverage, length, and availability vary between solar installation companies. Check each company’s included coverage to find the best protections.

Payment Options

Most solar companies offer two or more solar financing options. Certain options offer more benefits than others. For example, cash payments and solar loans provide the best return on investment (ROI) and grant you full system ownership. Most solar incentives, such as the federal tax credit, require legal ownership as a qualification. We’ve outlined the most common financing options below:

  • Up-front (or cash) payments: You pay the full up-front costs for your solar system. 
  • Solar loans: You’ll make an initial down payment, then continue monthly payments with added interest for a certain time frame. 
  • Solar leases: Homeowners rent their solar system from the provider. 
  • Power purchase agreements (PPAs): You pay only for your monthly solar energy use,  not the system.

With solar leases and PPAs, system ownership remains with the provider which disqualifies you from solar incentives. We don’t recommend leasing options unless you have no interest in owning your solar system. Instead, you should choose up-front payments or solar loans to maximize your savings potential.

Customer Support

After reading solar company reviews, we discovered that some customers had issues reaching their company’s customer support team. We recommend looking for solar installers who offer several customer service communication options. Your chosen solar company should offer one or more of the following contact options:

  • Email 
  • Phone
  • In-app communications
  • Online chat
  • Online forms
  • Text messaging 

Check third-party customer reviews for any complaints about unreturned calls, delayed responses, or unfriendly customer service reps.


How To Get a Solar Quote in South Dakota

Request quotes from multiple solar installers and compare pricing, equipment options, warranty coverage, and services. Our below guide gives a general overview of the typical solar quote and consultation process. 

  1. Schedule a consultation: Contact each installer for an in-person or virtual consultation. Plan for two hours for each appointment. 
  2. Find your latest electric bill: Solar installers use your utility bill to determine your energy needs and final solar project. Have your latest bill available for your appointments.  
  3. Assess your roof design: Each installer will perform an in-person or virtual roof assessment to determine available space, structural integrity, and design limitations. Since some solar panel types require more room, the consultant will find the ideal location for your solar arrays. 
  4. Design your PV system: The solar provider will design your new system based on the previous assessments. During this step, you can choose your preferred solar panel brands, inverters, and system components, plus add any accessories including energy storage or electric vehicle (EV) chargers. 
  5. Review the final quote: You’ll receive an itemized quote detailing your full system costs, labor charges, and warranty details. You’ll also receive your financing options and estimated payback period. Compare each quote before selecting your preferred solar installer.

Our Conclusion

Our team picked Genpro Energy Solutions as South Dakota’s top solar company. The company offers high efficiency solar panels and reliable support. Tesla also offers a variety of high-end solar roofing and solar shingle options.

Remember to request free quotes from at least three solar installers to find the right company for your solar conversion.

Other South Dakota Home Service Resources


FAQ About Solar Companies in SD

Is South Dakota good for solar energy?

Yes, South Dakota is good for solar energy thanks to its sunny environment. The state receives 213 sunny days annually, which is higher than the national average of 205. Since solar panels work best in sunny conditions, South Dakota residents will maximize their energy savings. Although the state offers few cost-saving incentives, going solar is worth it in South Dakota. 

What is the largest solar farm in SD?

The Wild Springs Solar Project in Pennington County is the largest solar farm in South Dakota. The solar farm produces 128-MW of solar energy once it begins operation in 2023. This project will save more than 190,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by running on clean energy. 

Does South Dakota have net metering?

Yes, South Dakota does have net metering, but the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) doesn’t mandate its availability throughout the state. Only certain utility companies offer the program to residents. Check with your local utility company for net metering availability. 

How many solar companies are there in SD?

There are 14 solar companies in South Dakota, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. 


Our Rating Methodology

We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

  • Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
  • Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
  • Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
  • Financing options (15%)
  • Experience (10%)
  • Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.