16 Best Solar Companies in Altoona, IA (Feb 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 16 in Altoona based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
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Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Altoona
Hoping to obtain energy freedom in Altoona? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding course of action since you can enjoy a lot of perks when you go solar. Due to its moderate amount of average daily sunlight, Altoona has a good amount of solar growth, so several of the best solar companies in the country have set up shop there to help residents switch over to renewable energy.
Here, we'll give you a list of some of the top solar companies in Altoona to make your decision a little bit easier. To get free quotes from the top solar companies in Altoona, click the "get quote" button below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Altoona

Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Family owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

Iowa Solar Pros
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

GRNE Solar
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Comprehensive service offerings
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Removal & Reinstallation
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles

1 Source Solar
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

CEC Electric
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Educational sales approach
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Locally owned and operated
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

Atwood Electric, Inc. & AE Solar
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Family owned and operated
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Energy Nerds
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Sitegen Solar Inc
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Can browse portfolio on website
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Solar Solutions
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Locally owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Solar FX Corporation
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Custom system designs
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

SolarTech of Iowa
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

Simpleray Solar - Bloomfield
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring

AEC Solar
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

Tesla Energy
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Price-match guarantee
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Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
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Best solar battery on the market
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Some reported issues with customer service
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Solar Roof Shingles
-
System Monitoring

Sunpro Solar
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Industry-leading warranty coverage
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Expansive service area
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Some reported communication issues
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No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Altoona
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs above all. There are quite a few factors you should consider when determining the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panel system won't be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electric bills than a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Additionally, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- Your household's power bills: Because of very high monthly electricity bills in Altoona, you could save about $1,600 a year with solar.
Although a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in Altoona
There are several reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them consists of some government incentives that can help save you some money. Local solar incentives vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Altoona
One of the most compelling reasons to switch to solar energy is to decrease your dependence on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment. But you may be curious — how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? If your household consumes a lot of energy, you can help the environment even more by switching to solar energy. In Altoona, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year once they go solar. If you care about the environment, you'll most likely get that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Altoona, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar company in Altoona?
The top local solar company in Altoona is Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Manufacturing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 11.4 years, but the exact period varies depending on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How long do solar panels last?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.