Compare the highest-rated home solar professionals in Watertown, Minnesota. All contractors are licensed, insured, and verified through our rigorous screening process.
A full-service, employee-owned solar installer with a strong regional presence in the Midwest. They are known for comprehensive in-house services, from initial design and consultation to installation and maintenance, ensuring quality control. They have extensive experience with both residential and commercial projects and are well-versed in local incentives.
A Minnesota-based solar contractor with a focus on high-quality craftsmanship and customer education. They handle the entire process, including system design, financing assistance, and navigating utility interconnections. They have strong partnerships with top-tier equipment manufacturers.
A highly-rated, customer-focused solar installer known for its personalized service and expertise in the Minnesota climate. They offer a wide range of services, including energy efficiency assessments to maximize the value of the solar investment and comprehensive maintenance plans.
** The home solar market in Watertown, Minnesota, is characteristic of the broader Twin Cities region: robust, competitive, and supported by strong state incentives. The quality of providers is generally high, with several established, reputable companies vying for business. Homeowners benefit from this competition, which drives quality and customer service. **Competition Level:** High. While Watertown itself may not host solar company headquarters, it is actively served by numerous top-tier regional installers, making the market quite competitive for residential projects. **Average Quality:** The leading providers typically employ North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certified installers, use Tier-1 solar panels (e.g., Qcells, REC, Silfab), and offer strong warranties (often 25+ years on both equipment and labor). **Typical Pricing:** As of the latest data, the average cost for a residential solar system in Minnesota ranges from **$2.50 to $3.50 per watt** before incentives. A typical 8 kW system would have a gross cost between $20,000 and $28,000. The federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) can reduce this cost by 30%. Minnesota-specific incentives, like the Made in Minnesota (MiM) Solar Incentive Program (though now closed to new applicants, it set a precedent for state support) and favorable net metering policies from local utilities, continue to make solar a financially attractive investment for Watertown residents.
4.7+ star average from verified customer reviews
All contractors are properly licensed and insured
10+ years average experience in the industry
Familiar with Watertown regulations and climate
Get answers to common questions about home solar services in Watertown, Minnesota.
Solar panels actually perform more efficiently in cold weather, and Minnesota's bright, sunny winters can yield good production, especially with snow's reflective effect. The main seasonal consideration is snow cover, which can temporarily halt production; panels are installed at an angle to help snow slide off. Installers in our region use racking and mounting systems specifically rated for Minnesota's heavy snow loads and freeze-thaw cycles to ensure durability.
The average gross cost for a residential system in Minnesota ranges from $20,000 to $35,000 before incentives. Crucially, you can combine the 30% federal solar tax credit with Minnesota's own Solar*Rewards program, which provides a per-watt rebate, and net metering from your local utility. Additionally, Minnesota offers a property tax exemption for the added home value from solar, and Watertown residents should check with Carver County for any local clean energy programs.
Watertown is primarily served by Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association (WH), which offers a favorable net metering program. Under this policy, excess energy your system sends to the grid earns you a kilowatt-hour (kWh) credit on your bill, which you can use to offset power drawn from the grid at night or during low-production periods. WH's program uses an annual billing cycle, allowing you to build up credits in sunny months to use in the winter.
Prioritize installers who are Minnesota-licensed electrical contractors (or partner with them) and have specific experience with local permitting and utility interconnection (especially with WH). Look for established local or regional companies with strong references in Carver County and ask for proof of workman's compensation and liability insurance. It's also wise to verify they are certified by a body like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
South-facing roofs with minimal shading are ideal, but east and west-facing roofs are also viable in Watertown. An installer will assess your roof's age, structure, and orientation. The best time to start the process is in late winter or early spring; this allows for design, permitting, and scheduling to ensure installation during the warmer months, so your system is fully operational to capture the peak summer sun and maximize your first year's production.