Top 6 Best Solar Companies in Iowa (2023 Reviews)

Watch Below: What Should You Know Before Going Solar?

How Can You Save Money When Hiring A Solar Company In Iowa

The typical upfront cost of a complete solar array in Iowa hovers around $33,030, which is above average. This price is based on the average system size required to offset electric bills in the area — 9 kilowatts (kW) — and the local price per watt for PV equipment — $3.67.

With above-average system pricing topping $33,000, most Iowans understandably look for ways to save money on their equipment and installation. Luckily, there are some things you can do to keep total costs down. These include:

• Taking all of the solar perks and benefit programs you can
• Choose high-efficiency panels
• Get multiple estimates for your solar installation

We’ll discuss these money-saving tips in the sections below.

Take Advantage of Solar Benefit Programs

Governmental agencies and utility companies understand that adopting solar is expensive, so many offer benefit programs and perks to help reduce the cost of your equipment. Taking advantage of solar incentives should be your number-one priority for saving money on your solar system, as it’s a fast and simple way to reduce your initial costs and boost long-term savings.

We’ll briefly explain the incentives available to Iowa homeowners in the table below.

When you’re choosing your solar installer, it might help to pick one that has at least five years of experience serving customers in Iowa, specifically. These companies are more likely to be able to help you take advantage of these perks and save money. They are also more likely to be up to date on more local perks and incentives, so they could end up finding you more benefits to take advantage of.

For additional information on these and other benefits available to you, you can check out our guide to filing for solar incentives in Iowa.

Choose High-Efficiency Panels

Next, we recommend choosing a solar installer that carries high-efficiency panel brands. Iowa sees slightly below the average number of sunny days per year — 200 days as opposed to the 205 national average — and snow coverage can also minimize solar production in the winter — many parts of Iowa receive between 20 and 40 inches of snow annually, and snow coverage can cripple solar production.

Choosing a panel with an above-average efficiency rating will help ensure that the sun your panels do receive is used as efficiently as it can be and offsets the most amount of your electric bill as much as possible. High-efficiency panels can cost more upfront, but they often provide solar savings that outweigh that additional upfront investment.

Learn More: 2023 was a big year for the solar industry, as technological advancements helped researchers surpass their previously assumed limitations of solar panel efficiency. Find out how it can impact you.

Get Multiple Estimates for Your Solar Project

Finally, we recommend you get a few free quotes for your solar array. Every installer in Iowa is different and charges a unique amount for the equipment it provides and also for the installation labor. Two companies’ quotes can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars apart for an identical system.

Especially in an area like Iowa, where equipment costs are well above average, we suggest getting a few quotes from companies in your area and comparing them based on cost and value.

Curious what your system will cost and what you’ll save? You can use our solar calculator to estimate your long-term savings and see what your system total will be.

Will Solar Increase Your Home Value In Iowa?

Yes, installing PV panels on your home is expected to make your home more valuable. Data from Zillow suggests that panels could boost your property value by an average of 4.1%, or around $8,495, based on the average home value of $207,215.⁴,⁵

Property values could increase even more with solar adoption in cities where solar and clean energy are more widely accepted. For example, Cedar Rapids was the first city in the Hawkeye State to be ranked gold for solar adoption by SolSmart.⁶ Decorah is another city that has a great SolSmart rating and has shown its commitment to solar adoption.⁷

Your Iowa solar system will likely be worth it in these cities and others that are leading the charge in solar conversions. Even if you don’t see the same property value boost, the average Iowa solar customer sees their panels pay for themselves in around 13 years and then save an additional $24,607 on electric bills.

Should Iowa Residents Hire a Professional Solar Installer Or DIY?

Since professionally-installed solar power systems can be expensive, some property owners interested in converting to solar energy may consider a DIY panel installation. DIY solar arrays usually cost around $10,000, which is less than half the average price you’d pay a professional to install a solar system.

As appealing as a DIY installation may seem based on solar panel cost alone, there are some compelling reasons to avoid setting up your system yourself. Some of the most significant drawbacks include:

• Lack of warranty coverage
• Shorter efficiency guarantees
• A higher risk of property damage due to a lack of experience

We’ll discuss these downsides in greater depth below and explain why we recommend a professional installation in most cases in Iowa.

No Labor Warranty for DIY Systems

First off, DIY installations naturally come with no warranty for the labor, which means you have no guarantee that your system is installed properly. Even experienced DIYers are more likely to make mistakes during the solar installation that could lead to an increased risk of roof leaks and other issues.

Labor warranties are so crucial in Iowa because they keep your system and home safe from an often extreme climate. DIY panel kits are more likely to leak during heavy rainfall or snowfall, and any issues with the bracket installation can lead to solar panels being pulled off of your roof in tornadoes or strong winds that are common in the region.

You might pay less for a DIY installation, but if you experience panel damage or roof leaking and water damage, you may end up paying more for repairs than you would have to get the work done properly the first time around.

DIY Panels Have Less Appealing Efficiency Warranties

Along with no labor warranty, DIY panel brands don’t come with the same efficiency warranties. Most professional systems guarantee up to 80% efficiency after 20 to 25 years. DIY panel brands typically only guarantee production for around ten years, and even then, it’s usually a minimum of 60% to 70%.

Panel efficiency is an important factor to get right in the Midwest. Below-average sunny days and above-average snow coverage combined with low panel efficiency can reduce your energy production. In turn, that means fewer savings over time, which could offset the savings you see from installing your panels yourself.

Inexperience Means a Higher Risk of Property Damage

Last but certainly not least, DIY solar installations put your home at greater risk of damage. Roof penetrations required for solar installation always come with some risk, but an inexperienced installer — like a DIYer — can increase that risk.

You may save $10,000 or so by installing your solar array yourself. However, you won’t have the peace of mind that comes with a professional installation, and you’ll increase the risk of roof leaks and potentially costly water damage.

What Should Iowans Look For in a Solar Installer?

Choosing a solar installer can be an intimidating process, and having 40 or so providers to choose from only makes the decision more difficult. However, there are a few things we recommend prioritizing in a solar panel installation company in Iowa. These include:

• Robust warranty coverage for labor
• High-efficiency solar technology
• Local experience

We’ll explain why we believe these factors are some of the most important below.

Robust Labor Warranty

First, we recommend choosing a company that offers at least a ten-year labor warranty and giving preference to installers that offer even longer coverage.

Issues during any solar installation can be problematic and lead to system issues or property damage. However, solar arrays in Iowa are more prone to issues because they are exposed to frequent extreme weather, including tornadoes and intense storms. A lengthy warranty helps protect your equipment and home following the installation process.

Highly Efficient Panel Brands

Next, we suggest choosing an installer that carries high-efficiency panels. Some of the best solar panel brands include:

• SunPower – Most efficient panels in the industry
• REC
• Trina Solar
• Canadian Solar
• Qcells
• Panasonic

Iowa residents see slightly below-average sunshine, and panel production can dip in the winter when days are shorter. An efficient panel can help offset losses during these conditions.

Years of Experience in Iowa

Finally, we suggest choosing a company with at least five years of experience, and we recommend companies with ten or more years of experience even more. Installers with some longevity in the industry are more likely to stick around, which means they can continue to honor your warranties.

Companies with experience in the Midwest are often the best fit because they understand how to size systems appropriately for the area and install them to stand up to local weather conditions.

Outstanding Local Installer

4/5

Competitive pricingComprehensive service offerings availableMany years of experience

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Outstanding Regional Installer

4/5

Offers products from leading manufacturersGreat warranty coverageOutstanding customer service

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Methodology: How We Ranked Iowa’s Solar Companies in 2023

To ensure we bring you the best companies for your specific needs, we’ve ranked installers based on what we believe is most important to Iowa residents. Below are the factors we used and how we considered the importance of each.

We also never let corporate partnerships or relationships affect our methodology, so you can rest assured that our company rankings are unbiased. We’ll discuss the specific categories we use to rank installers in the sections below.

Solar Warranty & Customer Support

First, we look at each provider’s warranty coverage for equipment, labor and panel efficiency. We prioritize labor warranties due to the inherently above-average risk of property damage due to poor installation in Iowa. We use a baseline of four stars for the below coverages:

• 25 years for equipment
• 20 to 25 years for panel production and efficiency
• 10 years for labor

Companies that provide 25 years of coverage in all three categories get perfect scores.

Solar Equipment Cost & Financing Options

Since the per-watt cost of solar equipment in Iowa — around $3.67 — is above the U.S. average — around $3.33 — we look at the prices and payment options of companies next.

Installers who maintain average or below-average pricing help keep solar affordable and get ranked a bit higher. Companies that accept a variety of payment options — including cash payments, loans, leases and PPAs — get ranked higher as well for their accessibility.

Experience in Iowa

Next, we look at each provider’s experience in the industry and in the state specifically. As mentioned above, installers that have five or more years of experience have shown that they have promise in the industry and are likely to stick around and honor your warranties. Installers with ten or more years of experience get perfect scores in this category.

We also consider local experience, as solar panel systems need to be installed to stand up to the local climate.

Qualifications, Reputation & Certifications

Since the industry is really starting to take off — with more solar conversions in 2020 and 2021 than any other year in the past — we also look for signs that each company is highly qualified and holds certifications that make them stand out. Doing so helps us find companies that are likely to provide expert installation services and great customer service.

Some things we look for include:

• NABCEP certification
• Green Building certification from Leaders in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• BBB accreditation and a high BBB rating
• At least 100 four-star reviews on Google
• Electrician or general contractor licenses

We also flag companies and usually don’t recommend them if they have a history of lawsuits or complaints from customers on BBB.

Solar Services

We then review the services and products offered by each company to see how well they align with the needs of Iowa homeowners. For example, batteries are a popular option in the area to maximize energy savings, so companies that don’t install batteries get ranked a bit lower.

We assign average scores to companies that include in-house panel installations, solar batteries and energy audits. Full-service companies score above average in this category if they also install things like EV chargers or solar water heaters or offer other services, like solar monitoring and other energy efficiency upgrades.

Availability

The local solar market in Iowa isn’t as strong as it is in many other states, so some companies choose to maximize profits by concentrating their services in major cities. More populated areas like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City and Iowa City naturally have a higher demand for solar.

However, we rank companies higher if they serve the entire state, as they will then appeal to more of our readers and more Iowa residents.

Environmental, Social & Corporate Governance Factors

Finally, we consider the impact each company has on the environment, the future of the solar industry and the communities it serves. We rank companies higher if they:

• Address end-of-life products and PV panel recycling
• Discloses company data to the public
• Aligns with local pro-solar organizations
• Offers assistance to low-income households looking to convert to clean energy

The cost information presented in this article is derived from a comprehensive analysis, incorporating data from multiple industry sources. The average cost per watt per state was calculated based on figures from Consumer Affairs, Energy Sage, and Berkeley Lab’s Electricity Markets & Policy Department. Additionally, monthly energy consumption and the average monthly cost of electricity were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, ensuring a well-rounded and accurate representation of the information presented.