Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Reading, Minnesota. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A leading regional installer with a strong presence in Minnesota and the Midwest. They are known for comprehensive in-house services, from initial consultation and design to installation and maintenance. They are a certified installer for major brands and have extensive experience with both grid-tied and battery backup systems.
A Minnesota-based, family-owned solar contractor with a focus on high-quality residential and commercial installations. They have a strong track record for customer service and handle the entire process, including navigating local permits and utility interconnections. They are well-versed in Minnesota-specific incentives.
A rapidly growing solar installer known for its strong customer reviews and efficient process. They offer a turnkey solution for homeowners, including robust financing options and energy efficiency assessments to maximize the value of the solar investment. They have expanded their service area to include southern Minnesota.
** The home solar market in and around Reading, Minnesota, is representative of the broader rural and suburban Minnesota market. There is a healthy level of competition, not from local companies within Reading itself, but from established regional installers based in larger hubs like Mankato, the Twin Cities metro, and Rochester who actively service the area. The average quality of available providers is high, as these companies must maintain strong reputations and certifications to compete across a wide region. Typical pricing for a residential system in Minnesota is competitive, generally ranging from **$2.80 to $3.50 per watt** before applying the 30% federal tax credit and any state-specific incentives (like Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards program, if applicable). This translates to a gross cost of approximately **$20,000 to $35,000** for a typical 7-10 kW system. The market is mature, with providers offering a full suite of services including financing (loans, leases, PPAs), battery storage (like Tesla Powerwall), and comprehensive maintenance, making solar a accessible and valuable investment for homeowners in the Reading area.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Reading regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Reading, Minnesota.
While Minnesota has fewer peak sun hours than sunnier states, modern solar panels are efficient at converting available light and perform well in cold temperatures. Snow can temporarily reduce output, but panels are installed at an angle to help snow slide off, and their dark surfaces accelerate melting. Importantly, Reading's long summer days provide excellent production, and systems are designed to generate ample annual energy to offset your usage across all seasons.
The gross cost for a typical residential system in the Reading area ranges from $20,000 to $30,000 before incentives. Crucially, Minnesota offers strong financial benefits, including a 30% federal tax credit, a state solar energy incentive program (often a per-watt rebate), and net metering from your local utility. These incentives can reduce your net cost by 40-50%, and you may also qualify for a property tax exemption on the added home value from the solar array.
Yes, you will need to comply with local building codes and obtain a permit from the City of Reading or Mower County. Your chosen installer will typically manage this process. For interconnection, you will work with your local utility (likely People's Cooperative Power Association or a similar provider), which has specific net metering agreements and technical requirements for connecting your system to the grid, a process they are required to facilitate under Minnesota state law.
The ideal installation time is late spring, summer, or early fall to avoid winter weather delays. The entire process—from consultation and design to permitting, installation, and utility interconnection—typically takes 2 to 4 months. Scheduling an installation in the spring allows your system to be fully operational to capture the peak summer production season, maximizing your first-year savings.
Look for local or regional installers with extensive experience in Minnesota's specific climate and utility landscape. Verify they are licensed, insured, and certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Ask for references from nearby projects and review their warranty offerings. A trustworthy provider will conduct a detailed site assessment, explain local incentives clearly, and provide a production estimate tailored to Reading's weather patterns.