So you‘re considering going solar in Iowa? With rising electricity rates, outstanding tax incentives in the Hawkeye State, and expanding options for financing and quality installations, solar energy allows homeowners like yourself to take control of your utility bills while also helping the environment.
This comprehensive guide examines everything you need to know when researching solar for your Iowa home, including:
- Breakdowns of upfront system costs and 20-year savings projections
- Profiles of the top 5 solar companies serving Iowa residents
- Comparisons of different solar panel system configurations
- Considerations when assessing home solar viability
After reviewing solar incentives, installation costs, top local provider options and more below, you‘ll have all the information at your fingertips to decide if now is the right time to go solar in Iowa.
Overview of Solar Power in Iowa
Before diving into solar costs, let‘s look at a few stats surrounding solar adoption throughout the state:
- As of 2022, over 8,500 Iowa homes and businesses have installed solar panels.
- Current solar capacity in Iowa exceeds 65 megawatts, ranking it 36th nationally.
- That‘s enough clean energy to offset coal consumption by 52,000 tons/year.
- Supported by strong policy incentives, installations grow over 50% annually.
With abundant solar resources across much of the state, expanding financing options through solar loans and leases, and outstanding 25-year equipment warranties, Iowa homeowners like yourself continue embracing solar in rising numbers each year.
Let‘s examine your potential cost savings next.
Just How Much Does Solar Save Iowa Homeowners?
Transitioning to solar transforms how you think about your monthly electricity bill. Abundant sunshine allows solar panels in Iowa to produce a significant portion of an average home‘s electricity from that giant nuclear reactor in the sky called the sun.
Here is a 20-year solar cost savings projection in Iowa:
With strong solar production and incentivizes like sales tax exemptions and 5-year property tax breaks, a properly-sized 7 kW solar system yields over $66,000 in electricity savings across 20 years in Iowa.
And get this – because solar equipment is warranted to keep producing energy for a full 25+ years, your savings keep accruing after year 20!
While payback periods vary for each home, solar electricity at $0.05/kWh beats utility rates hands-down if producing sufficient sunlight.
Let‘s dig into top solar installation companies next.
Iowa‘s Top 5 Solar Installers
With enticing financial projections in place, which Iowa solar company can properly assess your home‘s viability while providing a transparency into system costs from start to finish?
The following five contractors consistently receive rave reviews for their solar design experience, quality equipment, responsible pricing and robust warranties across residential Iowa solar installations:
1. All Energy Solar
Overview: Previously operating as AE Solar, All Energy Solar provides turnkey solar systems for both home and commercial settings across Iowa.
Offerings: All Energy tailors a full-service experience around your needs – they size systems accurately, procure all necessary permits, install equipment to the highest standards and provide ongoing maintenance and monitoring.
Accolades: 500+ online reviews (4.8 stars). A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Named "Top Solar Contractor" 6+ years running.
Warranties: 25-year power production warranty on solar panels. 10-year warranty on system components like inverters and racking.
Contact: Call (515) 508-0024 for your custom Iowa solar quote.
2. CB Solar
Overview: Locally-owned provider specializing in customized Iowa solar solutions for rural and urban settings alike.
Offerings: CB Solar leverages professional engineering support to design optimal systems around your unique home energy profile. They educate extensively on equipment options and financing solutions to meet your budget.
Accolades: 5-star local favorite across 100+ reviews. Last 3 years running "Best of Mason Awards" winner.
Warranties: 25 years warranty on power production. 10 years on parts and labor.
Contact: Request a solar quote by calling (515) 974-5302.
3. Olson Solar Energy
Overview: Highly-rated local solar provider operating throughout eastern Iowa since 2013.
Offerings: Olson Solar truly provides tailored options for you – they consult on the best system types for your home across off-grid, grid-tied and hybrid solar installations. Plus, they leverage smart monitoring technology to track system performance.
Accolades: Hundreds of 5-star reviews. Longest lasting solar provider in their service area.
Warranties: 25 years power production. 10-15 years equipment and workmanship.
Contact: Contact Olson Solar at (608) 782-3400 for your custom solar estimate.
4. Energy Grid Solutions
Overview: Council Bluffs provider specializing in complete renewable energy solutions since 2009.
Offerings: With 500+ installs under their belt, EGS expertly assesses site viability and grids needs to engineer the properly-sized solar array, whether grid-tied, off-grid or with battery storage.
Accolades: 4.5/5 star local favorite. Endorsed by MidAmerican Energy and the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Warranties: 25-year power production guarantees. 10-15 years equipment coverage.
Contact: Contact EGS at (712) 256-3690 for solar services in western Iowa.
5. Windfree Solar
Overview: Multi-state solar provider bringing quality Iowa solar installations to homeowners across rural, suburban and metro regions alike.
Offerings: Windfree eases your transition to solar through turnkey installation services, clearly outlining costs upfront while handling all system design, permitting and monitoring after installation.
Accolades: Over 300 online reviews (4.8/5 stars). A+ BBB accredited service.
Warranties: 25-year power production guarantees. 12-15 years equipment coverage.
Contact: Contact Windfree at (515) 528-3021 for Iowa solar services.
Reputable firms like these have the expertise to help Iowa homeowners reap the growing financial benefits of solar energy for decades to come.
Now that we‘ve covered costs, savings and top solar contractors, let‘s compare equipment options most suitable for Iowa homes.
Solar System Configurations: What’s Recommended for Iowa Homes?
Beyond projecting your annual cost savings, reputable Iowa solar installers discuss what system design works best for your unique home energy profile.
There exist several equipment options when going solar. Below we outline the most common configurations deployed in Iowa.
Grid-Tied Solar Systems (with Net Metering)
Over 90% of U.S. residential solar installations leverage grid-tied systems to reduce electricity bills. This setup allows any excess solar production from your panels to feed to the electrical grid, essentially spinning your utility meter backwards and banking kilowatt credits.
On average, grid-tied systems in Iowa offset 60-80% of homeowners‘ annual electricity usage, with the grid supplying supplemental power as needed at night or periods of low solar production.
Because you remain connected to the electrical grid with this setup, grid-tied solar systems require relatively low investment to get started. Plus, you gain the reliability of grid access in emergency situations.
However, to fully capitalize on net metering savings, carefully review your utility’s net metering policy fine print. Some limit the rollover timeframe for kilowatt credits or impose fixed grid access fees.
Off-Grid Solar Systems
A far less common option, entirely off-grid solar systems utilize battery storage to independently power homes separate from utility infrastructure.
This provides maximum energy independence, allowing your high-performing solar panels to provide electricity day and night. Off-grid systems require large solar arrays and battery banks to fully power homes around the clock.
Upfront investment runs 2-3X higher than grid-tied builds. Batteries also introduce maintenance costs down the road. However, for remote homes where utility connections prove challenging or to eliminate monthly power bills completely, off-grid solar fills the need.
Hybrid Solar Systems
Finally, hybrid solar configurations provide a nice middle ground option, integrating battery backup to grid-tied systems without going 100% off-grid.
During normal operation, your panels power home needs first, then route any excess solar to the grid. But batteries seamlessly kick in to provide electricity if grid power goes down.
Hybrid systems provide energy resilience like off-grid builds while requiring smaller solar arrays and battery banks by remaining grid-connected. They serve as smart backups for homes needing uninterrupted power.
Discussing these options with Iowa solar installers ensures you select equipment sized optimally for your household‘s unique energy profile.
Assessing Your Home’s Solar Potential
While we’ve covered financial incentives making solar a no-brainer for many Iowans, several home-specific factors also determine solar viability:
Roof Age & Condition – Can your roof support solar panels for 25+ years? If aged or needing repairs, consider replacing it before installing panels.
Roof Pitch & Orientation – Angled correctly relative to sunlight, panels mounted on southern exposures maximize solar collection. Complex rooflines limit potential space.
Sun Exposure – Nearby structures or trees limiting sunlight access by more than 20% can dramatically cut solar production potential.
Energy Efficiency – Upgrading appliances, lighting, insulation and HVAC systems first reduces home energy consumption, allowing you to purchase smaller, less costly solar arrays.
Iowa solar providers offer free home assessments weighing these solar viability factors. Act now to evaluate your suitability while qualifying for strong state solar incentives.
Start Saving Now with Solar
We‘ve covered a lot of ground detailing the ins-and-outs of transitioning Iowa households to solar energy. With five exceptional solar firms blazing the trail statewide and projections of over $66,000 in electricity savings possible over 20 years, solar opens new doors for you to take control of skyrocketing utility bills.
Reach out to these top-ranked Iowa solar installers for transparent consultations weighing system options and costs tailored exactly for your home. With high-efficiency equipment warrantied to perform for 25+ years and flexible financing plans available, abundant sunshine now translates into abundant savings for homeowners across the Hawkeye State.
