Choose Cedar Creek Energy for Your Residential Solar Panel System
We all want to use the sun as a renewable energy source to benefit the planet—and we all like the idea of lower electric bills. Minnesota solar energy systems can dramatically reduce home energy costs and even create a source of income for many homeowners. If your roof, yard, or garage has a year-round sunny spot, it has the potential to generate electricity from a solar energy system. With over 40 years of combined experience installing residential solar systems, you can rely on Cedar Creek Energy to be your dependable, full-service renewable energy partner.
Solar Project Gallery
Financial Savings & Incentives
We help you find the specific financial incentives available in your neighborhood. You can save money upfront by utilizing tax rebates and special solar financing. Your system will have a quick return on investment (ROI), providing long-lasting savings. Whether installed on your roof or mounted on the ground, solar power systems in Minnesota add value to your home and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Outstanding Results at Every Stage
At Cedar Creek Energy, you can expect outstanding results from us at every stage of your Minnesota residential solar project. By installing a solar energy system for your home, you’ll be making an environmentally friendly choice that rewards you with immense savings. Let Cedar Creek Energy customize a solar solution for your home and start your journey toward a sustainable and affordable future today!
The Many Benefits of Solar for Your Home
Minnesota’s diverse climate doesn’t deter the effectiveness of residential solar panels. With ample sunlight during the summer and advancements in solar technology, homeowners can efficiently harness solar energy even in the winter months.
Here are some of the benefits of solar energy for Minnesota homeowners:
✔ Clean and Renewable Energy
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity without emitting pollutants or greenhouse gases. By switching to solar, homeowners can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier environment, playing a crucial role in combating climate change.
✔ Substantial Cost Savings
– Reduced Energy Bills: Generate your own electricity and cut down on your monthly energy expenses.
– Federal Tax Incentives: Take advantage of the federal investment tax credit (ITC) which offers a 30% tax credit on the installation cost of residential solar systems.
– State and Local Rebates: Benefit from additional state and local incentives that further reduce the overall cost of your solar installation.
✔ Energy Independence
Solar power allows homeowners to become less reliant on the grid, providing a sense of energy independence. With a solar energy system, you can produce your own power and avoid the volatility of utility prices.
✔ Increased Property Value
Homes with solar panel systems often have higher property values and are more attractive to buyers. Solar installations are seen as valuable upgrades, much like renovated kitchens or updated HVAC systems.
✔ Reliability and Low Maintenance
Modern solar panels are designed to be durable and require minimal maintenance. With no moving parts, they are less likely to break down, providing reliable energy for years to come. Most solar panels have a 25-year warranty.
✔ Financial Flexibility
Flexible Financing Options: Various financing options, including low-interest loans and leasing, make it easier for homeowners to afford solar installations.
Quick ROI: With significant energy savings and available incentives, the return on investment for solar installations can be achieved in a relatively short period, typically 5-7 years!
✔ Environmental Stewardship
By adopting solar energy, homeowners contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and the reliance on fossil fuels. This commitment to sustainability helps address global environmental challenges and supports a cleaner, greener future.
✔ Community Impact
Widespread adoption of residential solar can lead to greater energy resilience within the community. It reduces the overall demand on the grid and can even lead to the development of community solar programs.
The Residential Solar Installation Process
Initial Consultation and Site Assessment
The journey towards home solar power begins with an initial consultation with our solar panel installation team. During this consultation, we gather information about your energy needs, financial goals, and the specifics of your property. This step is crucial for determining whether solar energy is a viable option for your home and for tailoring a system that meets your needs.
Following the consultation, a site assessment is conducted. Our solar technicians visit your home to evaluate several critical factors, such as:
- The roof’s condition, size, and orientation
- Potential shading from trees, buildings, or other structures
- Maximum sunlight exposure
This detailed assessment helps in designing an efficient solar system tailored to your home.
System Design and Proposal
Using the data gathered from the site assessment, Cedar Creek Energy will create a custom design for your home solar panel installation. This design includes:
- The layout of the solar panels
- The type of panels and inverters to be used
- Any additional components required for optimal performance
Once the design is complete, you will receive a detailed proposal outlining the project scope, expected energy production, financial savings, and total cost. This stage ensures that you understand the benefits and costs associated with your new home solar power system.
Permitting and Installation
Before installation can begin, the necessary permits and approvals must be obtained. Once secured, the installation phase begins. Cedar Creek Energy schedules a convenient time for the installation, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily routine. Preparation includes ordering the necessary equipment and coordinating with installation crews.
The actual installation involves several key steps:
- Mounting the Panels: Solar panels are mounted on the roof or ground using racks designed to withstand local weather conditions.
- Electrical Work: Electricians connect the solar panels to inverters and integrate the system with your home’s electrical infrastructure.
- System Testing: The entire system is thoroughly tested to ensure everything is functioning correctly and safely.
Inspection and Interconnection
After the installation is complete, a final inspection is conducted to ensure the system complies with all building codes and safety regulations. This step is crucial for obtaining the final approval to activate the system. Once the system passes the inspection, the utility company completes the interconnection process. This involves installing a bi-directional meter that tracks both the energy your system generates and the energy you consume from the grid.
System Activation and Monitoring
With all inspections and approvals completed, your residential solar power system is ready to be activated. Cedar Creek Energy will walk you through the activation process, ensuring you understand how to operate and monitor the system. Modern solar systems for homes come with monitoring software that allows you to track energy production and system performance in real-time. Regular monitoring helps identify any issues early, ensuring your system operates at peak efficiency. Additionally, routine maintenance checks can help extend the lifespan of your system and maximize your return on investment.
(Above) Cedar Creek Energy’s Project Developer Erin Harvey is on the scene with Green Building Experts at a Certified Green Home! Erin talks to homeowner Joe Ward about solar energy and storage, and what role solar plays in the making of a green home!
DOES RESIDENTIAL SOLAR SYSTEM WORK IN THE WINTER, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF SNOW HERE?
Yes, solar works in winter. Although northern climates receive fewer hours of sun in the winter, all you need is sun. The sun’s effect is in fact amplified on sunny days because the reflection of the snow generates even more light.
DO I NEED BATTERIES?
Modern solar arrays do not require batteries to operate. The majority of systems operating today are considered “Grid-interactive”. This means as the solar array generates power it provides that power to the electrical needs in your home or facility. In the event that excess power is being generated by the solar array, it is sold back to the utility company. The utility company keeps a record of this power sales via net-metering.
WHAT RESIDENTIAL SOLAR SYSTEM SIZE WILL I NEED?
The solar electric system size you need depends on how much electricity you use, the amount of energy you are looking to offset and the size and suitability of locations where the solar electric system will be installed. Contact Cedar Creek Energy today at (763) 251-7370 and find out how solar might be the right choice for you.
WHY NET METER?
Solar systems depend on sunshine. You will not have a consistent source of sun, if only because night comes every night. The net meter offers a way to automatically receive energy from the utility when you need it and to send extra energy to the grid when you have it, and you get credits for that energy.
HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT MY RESIDENTIAL SOLAR SYSTEM OR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM TO LAST?
Your solar or PV modules or panels are typically warrantied for 25 years. They actually are anticipated to last at least twice as many years. The warranty that you will receive guarantees a certain output, and you will receive an estimate from us that is approximately 90 percent accurate over 25 years. Your estimate takes into account that by year 20, the solar panels will be producing sunlight energy up 80 percent or more of their initial installation quality.
After 25 years your solar panels are still warrantied, at 80 percent performance of initial power output.
DO YOU OFFER FINANCING?
Cedar Creek Energy offers a variety of different financing programs for residential customers! We have many programs that offer zero down and create positive cash flow immediately.
WHO HANDLES THE PAPERWORK AND INSTALLS THE RESIDENTIAL SOLAR SYSTEM?
Cedar Creek Energy is a full service turn-key Minnesota residential solar installer. We are licensed general and electrical contractors who handle every aspect of the solar installation process. We deal with permitting, utility interconnection, installation, and system commissioning.
WHAT IS A RESIDENTIAL SOLAR SYSTEM?
A residential solar energy system uses solar panels to collect free energy from the sun. This energy is then used to power the user’s home. The residential solar panels mn can be installed on the home’s roof or ground-mounted. Residential solar systems are cost-effective and good for the environment.
WHICH IS THE BEST SOLAR Panel FOR MY HOME?
If you’re interested in installing a solar system for home in Minnesota, a residential solar panel installer can explain your options. Solar energy companies conduct energy audits to determine what type and size of solar system will be the best fit for your home and your family. This is best left up to the professionals.
CAN YOU RUN YOUR WHOLE HOUSE ON SOLAR POWER?
Solar panels for Minnesota homes often can power the entire house on a sunny day. With the additional benefits of solar batteries and net metering, you can expect to cover the vast majority of your home’s energy needs using your Minnesota residential solar energy system.
HOW MANY SOLAR PANELS ARE NEEDED TO RUN A HOUSE?
The number of solar panels needed to power your home depends on the size of your home and your energy needs. If you are interested in solar energy, contact residential solar panel installers to learn what size system you’ll need for your home.
IS GOING SOLAR POWER AT HOME WORTH IT?
Solar panels for Minnesota homes are a great investment. They decrease the user’s monthly energy bill by up to 90% while also decreasing harmful carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Solar’s five to eight year return on investment makes it a great investment.
WHY SHOULD I GO SOLAR NOW? AREN’T INNOVATIVE NEW TECHNOLOGIES ON THE WAY?
Solar energy is currently more affordable than ever. Why put off installing a solar energy system on your home when you could be saving money each month? As technologies evolve, your system won’t become obsolete. It can be modified and adapted to suit your changing energy needs.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR SOLAR PANELS TO BE INSTALLED?
Start to finish, the process of switching over to solar takes only a few months. An experienced residential solar panels company in Minnesota can complete the actual installation of your residential panels in about one to three business days.
DOES MY ROOF NEED TO FACE DIRECTLY SOUTH IN ORDER TO GO SOLAR?
No, your roof does not need to face a certain way in order to install solar panels. As long as your roof is in the sun for the better part of the day, your solar panels will generate an impressive amount of solar energy.
WILL THE SOLAR ARRAY PUT HOLES IN MY ROOF, OR BE TOO HEAVY?
Residential solar panel installers are trained to safely install the panels without damaging our customer’s roof. You won’t start getting rained on inside your house just because you’ve had solar panels installed! The process is minimally invasive and totally safe for your roof.
HOW MUCH ROOF SPACE WILL I NEED FOR A SOLAR ARRAY?
The amount of roof space you need for your residential solar array depends on the number of panels you’ll need to power your home. Discuss this factor with your residential solar energy installers. The vast majority of single family homes have ample roof space for the number of solar panels they need to power the home.
WHAT CAN I DO IF MY ROOF IS NOT ADEQUATE FOR A SOLAR ARRAY?
Most roofs can successfully hold solar panels, but if yours is not a good fit for solar you do have other options. Residential customers sometimes opt to install ground-mounted panels, which can be installed in a sunny area of the yard and are easy to maintain. Residential solar power systems in Minnesota are effective regardless of where panels are installed.
WILL MY PROPERTY TAXES GO UP BECAUSE OF SOLAR?
No. Even if your home is reassessed once your residential solar panels in Minnesota are installed, you should not pay any more in taxes. This is great news because solar panels often raise a property’s value, but don’t end up costing the homeowner more in taxes.
WHY CHOOSE CEDAR CREEK ENERGY FOR RESIDENTIAL/HOME SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS?
Cedar Creek Energy is an experienced, innovative, and friendly residential solar panels company in Minnesota. Our whole team wants to create the best possible solar array for your home, and we’ll keep you informed about the process from start to finish.
Resources to learn How We Can Help You
- Net Metering: A Brief Explanation for Homeowners – By Cedar Creek Energy
- 6 Reasons Why Solar Makes Sense for Homeowners – By Cedar Creek Energy
- Smart Homes: The Future is Now – By Cedar Creek Energy
- Residential Solar is More Affordable Than Ever – By Cedar Creek Energy
- Residential Solar Panels – Slash Your Energy Bills Permanently! – By Cedar Creek Energy
- Solar Panel Installation: Working With Homeowners’ Associations (HOA) – By Cedar Creek Energy