Quick links to 10 most influential solar companies
Compare the best solar energy companies in North Dakota in 2020
Updated: December 31, 1969There are currently 6 solar energy companies operating in North Dakota.
Below you can compare the prices and reputations of solar installers, solar panel manufacturers and other solar energy companies servicing North Dakota today and learn how to select the best one.
Main Topics:
North Dakota solar cost calculator
Related Topics:
What is a good price from a quality solar company in ND
Chart 1: What is a good price for a 13.75kW solar system after tax credits.
$20K
Low quality warning$20K
Low quality warning$23K
SolarReviews average$23K
SolarReviews average
Types of solar energy companies
There are several different types of solar companies, and there are significant differences between them.
Large corporate solar companies
These are companies like Tesla, Sunrun and Vivint Solar with corporate ownership and wide geographical coverage. When residential solar took off back in 2012, they were the first to offer zero-down solar options and thus gaining massive market share. However, these companies grew too quickly and were unable to maintain the quality of their customer service; this is reflected in their poor review scores on SolarReviews and other sites. Furthermore, these large companies face stiff competition from local solar companies who now offer zero-down financing via specialist solar loan companies. Indeed, in a bid to stay competitive, in July 2020 Sunrun and Vivint, the largest companies by market share, announced they were merging.
Local and family-owned solar installation companies
These companies are typically one-stop shops that both sell and install solar systems. They are more likely to employ their own installation team rather than outsourcing the task. This is a good thing: our reviews indicate that customers are more satisfied with jobs performed by in-house crews.
Solar sales companies
These are companies that sell solar to homeowners over a large geographical area, but rely on outsourced installation labour to supply all the equipment, manage the permitting, and perform the installation. For example, they may sell you a solar system for $15,000, but then pay an EPC contractor $12,000 to supply and install the entire job. These companies also tend to have super-aggressive sales tactics, and we generally see low customer satisfaction for consumers who sign with them.
EPC contractors
EPC contractors do all of the permitting, installation and inspections for solar jobs that other companies sell. They became common as large corporate solar companies like SolarCity sold zero-down systems across vast parts of the country where they had no installation teams of their own. Large corporate solar companies still tend to use outsourced installation labour to protect themselves from any liability in the case of accidents. Like all roof work, solar panel installation carries large safety risks for workers.
Solar panel manufacturers
These are the companies that make the solar panels. Unfortunately, very few solar panel manufacturers still make solar panels in America. Even San Jose-based SunPower now makes all of its panels overseas. Ironically, probably the only major company making panels in the US right now is Jinko Solar, a large Tier 1 Chinese-owned manufacturer with a factory in Jacksonville, FL. The leading solar panel manufacturers are LG, Panasonic, QCells, SunPower, LONGi, Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, JA Solar, GCL, and Hyundai.
Solar inverter manufacturers
Inverters convert the DC power made by your panels to AC power that your home can use. Inverters cause far more warranty issues than the solar panels themselves. If there’s one piece of advice we have for those going solar, it’s to buy a good inverter brand. The rapid shutdown rule now in force in most jurisdictions means that micro inverters or power optimizers need to be used, rather than string inverters.
(This is unfortunate, as string inverters have far fewer warranty issues). We recommend the brand Enphase for micro inverters, and SolarEdge for power optimizers. If string inverters are allowed where you live, then we suggest either SMA or Fronius.
Solar finance providers
Consumers who want to buy solar panels (instead of lease them) can now access loans from many different companies. Buying solar is preferable to leasing as it allows you to keep the 26% federal solar tax credit; if you lease panels, the credit goes to the lessor instead. Solar loan applications are made through your solar installation company, who acts as the dealer for the financing company. Leading solar loan providers include Mosaic, Dividend and Greensky.
Which solar company should I choose?
The reviews scores for the largest solar companies are far worse than those for local, family-owned solar installation companies.
The best solar companies meet the following criteria:
- Local
- Family-owned
- Less than 50 staff
- Has an office near you
- Been in business longer than 5 years
- Employs their own installation crews
- Uses Tier 1 solar panels
- Uses inverters from Enphase, SolarEdge, SMA or Fronius
The solar industry is full of fly-by-night solar companies — both big and small — that open one year and are gone the next.
Solar panels last for 25-30 years, so you want an installer who will help you with any problems or system faults. For this to happen, your installer needs to be able to stay in business
Local solar companies, as a group, have the highest reviews score on our site and also have lower overheads than corporate installers, making them more likely to survive in the long term.
North Dakota solar stats:
Companies reviewed
Avg rating of North Dakota solar installers
Avg size of residential system
Avg price 13.75kW installed system
1.72 471 Reviews
Latest review
Justin & Kristin
,4 hours ago
Tesla has surpassed my expectations! The ease to sign up, clear communication, over communicate, and respect of your property! The Tampa crew, Brandon, Justin P, Kurt, and Jared, came out with a happy attitude, ready to work and willing to answer all our questions! This crew operated like a well oiled machine! I would recommend anyone in the Tampa area sign up today!!! Thank you again, Justin & Kristin
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$10,000 ($2.00 per watt)
Latest review
Justin & Kristin, 4 hours ago
Tesla has surpassed my expectations! The ease to sign up, clear communication, over communicate, and respect of your property! The Tampa crew, Brandon, Justin P, Kurt, and Jared, came out with a happy attitude, ready to work and willing to answer all our questions! This crew operated like a well oiled machine! I would recommend anyone in the Tampa area sign up today!!! Thank you again, Justin & Kristin
4.77 905 Reviews
Latest review
Lakemurray
,over 1 month old
The dark panel fit our desire and excellent performance rating.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$19,950 ($3.99 per watt)
Latest review
Lakemurray, over 1 month old
The dark panel fit our desire and excellent performance rating.
4.84 318 Reviews
Latest review
William Hurley
,over 1 month old
The Panasonic panels we had installed had better power generation than what the competition wanted to steer us towards, and a much longer warranty.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$21,700 ($4.34 per watt)
Latest review
William Hurley, over 1 month old
The Panasonic panels we had installed had better power generation than what the competition wanted to steer us towards, and a much longer warranty.
4.54 832 Reviews
Latest review
Juan
,3 weeks ago
the support is terrible you call them, and you have wait whatever they want, the engineer department, I have issues with my monitoring system
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$24,550 ($4.91 per watt)
Latest review
Juan, 3 weeks ago
the support is terrible you call them, and you have wait whatever they want, the engineer department, I have issues with my monitoring system
1.80 214 Reviews
Latest review
Ann
,1 week ago
They install my solar panel without a proper permit, after install they couldn’t call in the inspection, he put me on the best situation I have to pay my electric bill and the solar panel installment at the same time , And the sales rep cannot do anything so ask the manager to call me trying to solve the problem, Unfortunately he say I’m sorry I can’t do anything even they make the mistake that’s nothing they can do
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$16,750 ($3.35 per watt)
Latest review
Ann , 1 week ago
They install my solar panel without a proper permit, after install they couldn’t call in the inspection, he put me on the best situation I have to pay my electric bill and the solar panel installment at the same time , And the sales rep cannot do anything so ask the manager to call me trying to solve the problem, Unfortunately he say I’m sorry I can’t do anything even they make the mistake that’s nothing they can do
2.78 578 Reviews
Latest review
Jim G.
,1 week ago
Celebrating my second year with Vivint. Outstanding service, great people, and the saving ain't bad. Looking forward to many more years. Thanks
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$22,350 ($4.47 per watt)
Latest review
Jim G., 1 week ago
Celebrating my second year with Vivint. Outstanding service, great people, and the saving ain't bad. Looking forward to many more years. Thanks
4.60 110 Reviews
Latest review
Eric B
,over 1 month old
NorthStar recommend Jinko based on their reputation and after about a month, all panels are working great.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$20,400 ($4.08 per watt)
Latest review
Eric B, over 1 month old
NorthStar recommend Jinko based on their reputation and after about a month, all panels are working great.
Best unit price
$320.00 ($0.96 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,394.86
($2.47 p/w)
LG335N1K-V5 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
19.6
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$562.50 ($1.50 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$11,808.66
($2.42 p/w)
LG375A1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$430.00 ($1.15 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,587.24
($2.58 p/w)
LG375Q1C-V5 overview
Rated power
375 watts
Efficiency
21.7
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$473.34 ($1.30 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$12,891.00
($2.52 p/w)
LG365Q1K-V5 overview
Rated power
365 watts
Efficiency
21.1
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
KR
Best unit price
$291.18 ($0.88 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,031.30
($2.43 p/w)
VBH330RA03K overview
Rated power
330 watts
Efficiency
19.7
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Mono-crystalline Silicon
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$340.00 ($1.00 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$12,968.34
($2.54 p/w)
VBHN340SA17 HIT+ overview
Rated power
340 watts
Efficiency
20.3
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline/N-type
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$432.00 ($1.31 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,226.07
($2.47 p/w)
VBHN330SA17E overview
Rated power
330 watts
Efficiency
19.7
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$297.60 ($0.89 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$13,084.36
($2.60 p/w)
VBHN335SA17 overview
Rated power
335 watts
Efficiency
20
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$600.00 ($1.83 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$12,430.82
($2.53 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-COM overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$800.00 ($2.22 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$12,812.49
($2.54 p/w)
SPR-X22-360 overview
Rated power
360 watts
Efficiency
22.2
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$13,299.13
($2.71 p/w)
SPR-E20-327-D-AC overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$620.00 ($1.90 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$13,209.35
($2.69 p/w)
SPR-E20-327 overview
Rated power
327 watts
Efficiency
20.4
Number of Cells
96
Cell type
Monocrystalline
Manufactured
US
Best unit price
$240.01 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.8kW system
$10,269.94
($2.14 p/w)
CS3W-400PB-AG overview
Rated power
400 watts
Efficiency
17.9
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
polycrystalline
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$205.00 ($0.58 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$9,945.44
($2.00 p/w)
CS3U-355PB-AG overview
Rated power
355 watts
Efficiency
17.7
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
polycrystalline
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$207.90 ($0.66 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$10,452.95
($2.07 p/w)
CS3K-315MS overview
Rated power
315 watts
Efficiency
18.96
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono-crystalline Silicon
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$247.00 ($0.75 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$10,775.46
($2.18 p/w)
CS1H-330MS BLACK overview
Rated power
330 watts
Efficiency
19.57
Number of Cells
60
Cell type
Mono-crystalline Silicon
Manufactured
CA
Best unit price
$172.00 ($0.56 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 4.9kW system
$9,505.31
($1.95 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-305M overview
Rated power
305 watts
Efficiency
18.4
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$165.00 ($0.53 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.0kW system
$9,697.23
($1.96 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-310M overview
Rated power
310 watts
Efficiency
18.7
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$196.11 ($0.65 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$9,882.30
($1.94 p/w)
LR6-60-HPB-300M overview
Rated power
300 watts
Efficiency
18.1
Number of Cells
120
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Best unit price
$234.00 ($0.60 per watt)
Best system price
Installed 5.1kW system
$10,059.83
($1.98 p/w)
LR6-72HBD-390M overview
Rated power
390 watts
Efficiency
19.4
Number of Cells
144
Cell type
Mono PERC
Manufactured
CN
Get detailed solar panel information for your city
Mosaic
- Loan
300 Lakeside Drive, 24th Floor,
Oakland, CA, 94612
(855) 746-7849
https://www.joinmosaic.com/
Description
Mosaic offers choices for solar financing. One loan is structured so that the monthly payment is lower than their existing electricity bill. The average Mosaic customer saves $30,550* over the life of the solar energy system, sometimes starting right from the time the system is energized. And when the homeowner owns their system, they claim all the savings, from the federal tax credit to any state or local incentives.
Dividend Solar
- Loan
- Pace
433 California St, Suite 300,
San Francisco, CA, 94123
(844) 805-7100
https://www.dividendsolar.com
Description
Dividend is a leading national provider of renewable energy and energy-efficient financing solutions to property owners. We give our customers the opportunity to obtain clean energy financing through a comprehensive suite of financing options. Our flagship product, the EmpowerLoan™, continues to expand its product offerings into the storage and home-energy space. Dividend also offers commercial PACE, which is a public-private financing mechanism for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation and seismic upgrades on privately-owned property.
GreenSky
- Loan
6220 Enfield Avenue,
Encino, CA, 91316
(844) 810-7713
https://www.greensky.com/
Description
GreenSky® was founded on the idea that payment, credit and commerce could be enhanced using technology and elegant user experiences. We believed payment and credit could be an asset that empowers and enables commerce, not a distraction or impediment. Today, GreenSky delivers a service that helps business grow and delight their customers.
YGrene
- Loan
- Pace
2100 South McDowell Boulevard,
Petaluma, CA, 94954
(866) 634-1358
https://ygrene.com/
Description
A national leader in residential and commercial clean energy financing via PACE , Ygrene Energy Fund is revolutionizing the home improvement industry.
GreenBiz Financial
- Loan
(800) 764-3601
https://www.greenbizfinancial.com/
Description
The mission of GreenBiz Financial is to offer solar and other energy-efficient home improvement loans with attractive rates to our customers.
Light Stream
- Loan
Description
LightSteam is a national online consumer lending division of SunTrust Bank, the flagship subsidiary of SunTrust Banks Inc., one of the nation’s leading financial services companies.
Home Loan Investment Bank
- Loan
2 Altieri Way,
Warwick, RI, 02886
(401) 773-9948
https://www.homeloanbank.com
Description
Fast loan processing, competitive fixed rates with no pre-payment penalties and attentive customer service Home Loan Investment Bank, FSB is a full-service financial institution offering commercial lending, home improvement lending, small business lending, personal and business banking, automobile financing and mortgage services. We are a federally regulated, FDIC-insured savings bank with branches in Providence and Warwick, Rhode Island and are dedicated to helping our customers with their financial needs through our team of experienced and friendly bank representatives. We will give you personalized one-on-one attention and professional guidance to ensure that your transaction is completed in an accurate and timely manner. We are also a member of the Allpoint Network, providing access to over 40,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide. Whether you are looking to open a CD, refinance your home or start a business, we offer competitive rates. Call us today and see how we can help with your financial needs.
EnerBank USA
- Loan
1245 E. Brickyard Road Suite 600,
Salt Lake City, UT, 84106
84106-2562
https://enerbank.com
Description
FDIC insured EnerBank USA® is a highly specialized, national consumer lender that helps strategic business partners and independent home improvement contractors increase sales. Strategic business partners include manufacturers, distributors, franchisors, member or trade associations, and major retailers of home improvement, remodeling, and energy-saving products and services. They all rely on the bank to be here today and tomorrow to fund customer loans and help them achieve their business goals and objectives. We are America's home improvement lender of choice. We are reliable, professional, and we produce results.
Medallion Bank
- Loan
22232 17th Ave SE,
Bothell, WA, 98021
888.833.8570
https://www.medallionbank.com
Description
We offer similar programs and pricing as the big Banks, but with the kind of personal attention that you won't get with a black box lender. Our team provides a level of interaction and dedication to problem-solving that is unique in our industry. We also have a consumer-friendly process with no prepayment penalties or other hidden costs.
Celtic Bank
- Loan
- Pace
268 South State Street,
Salt Lake City, UT, 84111
800.509.6191
https://www.celticbank.com/
Description
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Celtic Bank is a privately owned industrial bank chartered by the State of Utah. Celtic Bank specializes in small business finance, helping business owners with working capital, expansion, acquisition, construction, equipment financing, renewable energy finance, real estate purchases and refinances, and more. Celtic Bank has ranked as one of the top ten SBA lenders nationally since 2013. Celtic Bank has a proven track record in a range of industries, including renewable energy finance, healthcare, gas station / C-store, car wash, hotel and others. Every business loan application is approached with a creative and problem-solving mindset, and we aim to structure tailored financing solutions that help our clients meet their growth objectives.
Related Topics:
Installing a 13.7kW solar system in North Dakota, 2020
Net cost of system
Average payback time
Annual power production
Levelized cost of solar energy
If you don't get solar
16¢ /kWh
Savings over 25 years
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of this 13.7kW system
Solar panel cost in North Dakota by system size
Table 1: Average cost of residential solar systems by system size
| System size* | Avg cost per watt |
Avg Cost
(After tax credit) show before tax |
|---|---|---|
| 4kW | $2.65 | $7,838 |
| 5kW | $2.54 | $9,398 |
| 6kW | $2.42 | $10,758 |
| 7kW | $2.40 | $12,411 |
| 8kW | $2.41 | $14,267 |
| 9kW | $2.35 | $15,658 |
| 10kW | $2.32 | $17,198 |
| 12kW | $2.30 | $20,424 |
| 15kW | $2.20 | $24,398 |
Going solar in North Dakota
Check out all of the ways energy providers of North Dakota can help you be more energy efficient and save money.
Table 2: Available incentive programs
|
Eligibility: Federal incentive
Type: Personal Tax Credit
|
Note: Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives are the solar installers who specialize in your area.
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