Best Solar Companies in Minnesota: How to Choose an Installer (2026)

Updated November 2026 by Wolf River Electric, a solar installer headquartered in Isanti, Minnesota.

We are a Minnesota solar installer, so we have a stake in this question. That is why this page does not rank companies. It gives you a checklist that works on any installer, including us, and shows our own numbers so you can check them.

How do you choose the best solar company in Minnesota?

The Minnesota Department of Commerce suggests checking each company’s license before you sign. Its guide to choosing a solar installer is worth reading.

Price matters, but the lowest price is not the best value if the crew, the equipment or the warranty is weaker. Most problems with home solar come from how it was installed and who answers the phone years later, not from the panels themselves.

The Minnesota solar installer checklist

Use this to judge any installer. The right column shows how Wolf River Electric answers each item.

Red flags to watch for

• “Free solar” or “utility program” pitches. Solar is not free. In 2022 the Minnesota Attorney General sued solar sales companies and lenders accused of claiming utility ties and inflating savings.
• No price per watt or no named equipment. A clear quote shows both.
• Savings that count the federal tax credit on a home you buy. That credit ended for homeowners after 2025.
• No license you can find. Or a license so new the company has little local work to show.
• No local office. A crew from far away can be hard to get back for warranty work.
• Reviews that all arrived in a few weeks or never mention the install.

How Wolf River Electric measures up

Here is our side of the checklist, with facts you can check.

• Holds a Minnesota residential building contractor license and a Minnesota electrical contractor license, with our own crews.
• Headquarters at 100 Isanti Parkway NE, Isanti, MN 55040. Call (763) 229-6662.
• In business since 2014, with more than 10,000 projects completed across the Midwest.
• NABCEP-certified company, and MnSEIA Member of the Year for 2026.
• More than 900 Google reviews with a 5.0 average, as of November 2026. Read our reviews.
• A 25-year workmanship warranty on home solar.
• We install Q CELLS, REC, Silfab, Canadian Solar, Enphase, Tesla Powerwall 3 and FranklinWH.
• We also install battery backup and standby generators, and we remove and reinstall panels when you replace your roof.

Hear it from our customers

Greg K.Prior Lake, MN

Bruce B.Minneapolis, MN

More customer stories and reviews on our reviews page.

How much power do Wolf River Electric systems make in Minnesota?

1,456 Wolf River Electric systems in Minnesota with a full year of Enphase monitoring made about 407 kWh per panel from October 2025 to September 2026. A typical home system of 20 to 30 panels makes about 8,140 to 12,210 kWh a year, worth about $1,338 to $2,007 at Minnesota’s average home electricity price. Winter output is low, so a good installer sizes your system on the full year, not on summer months.

Averages of real production from Wolf River Electric customers’ systems. Value at Minnesota’s average home electricity rate (U.S. EIA, 2026).

What solar costs in Minnesota in 2026

As of October 2026, most Minnesota homes we install pay about $2.70 to $3.15 per watt for a roof-mounted system without a battery. A typical 10 kW system costs about $29,300 before incentives. Steep or complex roofs, ground mounts, electrical panel upgrades and batteries add cost.

Xcel Energy customers who enroll in Solar*Rewards earn $0.05 per kWh for 10 years, and Minnesota exempts solar equipment from sales tax and the added value from property tax. For details, see solar panel cost in Minnesota, Minnesota solar incentives and whether solar is worth it in Minnesota.

Questions to ask any Minnesota solar installer

• Do you hold a Minnesota residential building contractor or remodeler license, and who is the licensed electrical contractor?
• Will your own employees install my system?
• Which exact panels, inverters and battery will I get?
• What is the price per watt, and what is not included?
• How much power will the system make in year one, and how did you estimate it?
• Who handles the permit, the utility and Solar*Rewards?
• How long is your labor warranty, and who do I call for service?
• When is each payment due?

For the full list, see questions to ask a solar installer before you sign.

Minnesota solar company FAQ

Who is the best solar company in Minnesota?

No single company is best for every home. The best one for you holds both Minnesota licenses, installs with its own crews, has an office within reach, names your equipment in writing and backs its labor for years. Use the checklist above to judge any installer you talk to, including us.

Is a local solar installer better than a national company?

For service, often yes. A company based nearby can send a crew back when something needs attention, and it knows Xcel Energy, the co-ops and local permit offices. Some national companies subcontract installs. Ask who will do the work and who will service it.

What should a solar quote include?

The system size, expected yearly production, the panel, inverter and battery brands and models, the total price and price per watt, what is included, the labor warranty and the payment schedule. If any of these are missing, ask for them in writing.

What license does a solar company need in Minnesota?

Since July 1, 2023, the company that signs your contract needs a residential building contractor or remodeler license, and a Minnesota-licensed electrical contractor must install the system. The building license also lets you claim from the state Contractor Recovery Fund if a licensed company fails to finish the job.

Are free solar panel offers real?

No. Solar is paid for with cash, a loan, a lease or a power purchase agreement. An offer that calls the panels free usually has a lease or loan in the paperwork.

Can I still get the federal solar tax credit in Minnesota?

Not when you buy. The homeowner credit ended after 2025. Leases and power purchase agreements can still use a credit for a limited time, which can lower your price.