Best Solar Panel Installation Companies in North Dakota – CNET

Solar energy is only just beginning to emerge as a power source in North Dakota. Today, coal and wind energy are the most common power sources in the state, with solar trailing far behind.

Though the SEIA says the cost of solar panels has fallen significantly in the last decade, North Dakota residents normally pay low energy prices, so investing in solar panels doesn’t always make financial sense for the state’s residents. If you live in North Dakota and are interested in solar panels for your home, you’ll be more limited in your choice of installer and available incentives than in other states.

Aside from the residential clean energy credit, which is a federal tax credit that provides a 30% rebate on clean energy purchases for all US residents, there aren’t many state-level incentives within the Peace Garden State. Net metering policies allow homeowners to send excess power generated by solar panels back to the grid, gaining credits they can use to pull energy from the grid outside of peak sunlight hours. Property tax exemptions simply disregard your solar panel system when your home’s value is being calculated.

If you have high electricity bills, solar panels could help you save money on energy costs while also lowering your carbon footprint. These are the best solar panel installation companies operating within North Dakota.

Best national solar panel companies in North Dakota

Tesla Solar

Most affordable

Tesla’s solar branch seems to be the least loved of Elon Musk’s ventures. Even Tesla’s Solar Roof seems to get more love.

If price is the thing you won’t budge on, consider Tesla. By all accounts, Tesla installs quality panels and makes the closest thing there is to a household name in solar storage: the Powerwall.

Where you might miss out is customer service. Discussion online seems to suggest Tesla’s service is a bit of a gamble.

Local solar panel companies in North Dakota

Since there aren’t many large solar companies in North Dakota, you might have more luck going with a local installer. Here are a few to consider.

How to determine which solar company in North Dakota is best for you

Solar is a costly investment. And you’ll want to make sure you’re picking the right installer for the job. Here are a few tips to help you find a reputable installer.

Understand federal, state and local solar incentives. Make sure your installer can accurately explain how tax credits and incentives work.
Read online reviews from multiple sources. Google and Yelp are a good place to start.
Get recommendations from neighbors who have solar installed.
Check an installer’s licensing and certifications. Look for installers who are certified by NABCEP.
Compare multiple solar quotes.
Ask your installer all your questions, even the difficult ones.
Assess your potential savings cost and your solar payback period. Your installer should be able to explain this to you.

Cost of solar panels in North Dakota

The cost of a solar panel system depends on many factors, including the system size, components like solar batteries, and installation costs. Because there are few residential solar systems in North Dakota, there isn’t state-level cost data available at this time.

Here’s a look at the cost of a typical solar system in the US, according to FindEnergy.com.

National average cost of solar panels

Typical system size (kW) Price per watt Total installed cost Cost after 30% federal tax credit National Average 8.6 $3.67 $31,558 $22,091

The following infographic presents the average total cash price, cost per watt and system size for a typical solar panel system in your state, according to data from FindEnergy.com. These prices don’t factor in potential rebates from tax credits or state incentives. Certain states don’t have any FindEnergy solar data and are grayed out on the map.

North Dakota solar panel incentives and rebates

Solar incentives, rebates and tax credits can lower the cost of solar panels. At the federal level, the residential clean energy credit (formerly known as the investment tax credit) is available in every state and offers 30% of the total cost of solar panels as a tax credit. There isn’t a maximum amount set for this credit, so you can claim the full 30% regardless of your system size as long as you owe that much in taxes that year.

North Dakota solar panel incentives

Program Description Residential clean energy credit This federal tax credit covers 30% of the cost of a solar panel installation. To apply, fill out IRS form 5695 (PDF) following these instructions. After your application is approved, you’ll receive your 30% credit when you file your federal tax return. Property tax exemption Solar panels typically raise the value of your home. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates an installed solar array increases the average home’s value by about $15,000. If your home’s value increases, your property taxes can also go up. When you buy and install solar panels in North Dakota, you will be exempt from paying increased property taxes for five years after installation. Net metering In North Dakota, you can participate in net metering, which lets you send extra solar energy from your system to the power grid in exchange for credits on your electricity bill. Net metering is normally considered a benefit to owning solar panels because it helps you save more on energy bills in a shorter period of time.

How to pay for solar panels in North Dakota

Cash: Paying with cash is your best option. There’s no interest rate or loan fee, and you’ll be eligible for more incentives.

Financing options: If cash isn’t an option, your installer will likely offer you a financing option, often referred to as a solar loan. But this isn’t your only financing option. You could also consider taking out a personal loan with your bank or opening a home equity line of credit.

Solar lease or power purchase agreement: You may also have the option to sign a solar lease or power purchase agreement. With these options, you pay a monthly rate to use the electricity from the solar system, but you don’t own the system and won’t qualify for most state and federal incentives.

Read more: Just looking for an emergency backup? Check out portable solar panels and solar generators.

Installation factors to consider

Investing in solar panels is a big decision that you should consider from all angles beforehand. Figuring out whether it makes financial sense is one of the most important considerations. There are several factors that can impact whether solar is right for your home.

Your roof’s condition: According to the Department of Energy, roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees are ideal for solar panel installation. The size of your roof will determine how many solar panels you can fit into the system. You should also consider the age and condition of your roof. Older roofs or roofs in poor condition may need to be replaced or maintained before installing solar panels.
HOA and neighborhood requirements: Some states have a solar rights law, meaning homeowners associations and neighborhoods can’t ban or restrict residents from installing solar panels. North Dakota doesn’t have a solar rights law, so your HOA or neighborhood may have restrictions around whether you can install solar panels. Before signing a contract, check the regulations in your neighborhood for details specific to where you live.
Insurance: After your solar panels are installed, you should contact your homeowners insurance agency to update your policy so it covers your solar system. Most standard policies cover rooftop solar, but check the terms of your policy for specific details.
Where you live: Solar panels can produce electricity in all climates and temperatures. But they’ll generate more electricity when they receive a lot of direct sunlight. North Dakota gets an average of 201 sunny days per year, which is close to the US average of 205 days. If your home receives a lot of direct sun every day, solar panels could make financial sense for you. If you live in a shaded area, a solar system might not generate enough electricity to cover your usage, so you’ll save less on energy bills.
Renting your home: If you rent your home or live in an apartment, you might not be allowed to install solar panels. If that’s the case, community solar may be an alternative. Community solar lets you pay a monthly fee for solar power produced at another location (usually nearby). In exchange, you get a credit on your energy bills. The amount you pay for community solar should be cheaper than the credit you receive on your bills, so you come out ahead financially.
Solar panel efficiency: Not every panel is created equal. Each manufacturer and brand comes with different efficiency ratings that can affect cost and optimal solar production and outputs.

How we found the best solar companies

Our methodology

North Dakota doesn’t have a solar rights law, but it does have a solar easement law, which protects your home’s access to sunlight. For example, you can enter an agreement with your neighbor to guarantee they won’t let trees get so tall that they block your solar panels. An easement can protect you even if your neighbor sells the property.

Are solar panels worth it in North Dakota?

There are a limited number of installers operating in North Dakota, so comparing your options might be easier than in states with hundreds of installers available. Take your time to research your options thoroughly and compare multiple quotes from installers. You can also review CNET’s choices for top solar companies as a starting point.