15 Best Solar Companies in Ames, IA (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Ames based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Solar installers near you
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best solar companies in Ames

As a homeowner or business owner in Ames, you may be planning on switching to solar and wondering about the best solar companies in your city. Solar could be a great idea since it comes with a lot of perks. While solar power is a great investment, you'll be able to make that money back and then some, all while doing your part for the environment. In fact, you could end up with savings of about $19,000 over 20 years.

As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Ames, you might realize that there are a lot of providers to choose between. So, we've put together an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area. Keep reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected with a trusted solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Ames

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Family owned and operated
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.rabehardware.com/
Address: 112 W 4th St, Vinton, IA 52349
Phone: (319) 472-2011
Outstanding Local Installer
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1 Source Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

1 Source Solar

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.1sourcesolar.com
Address: 3020 SW Oralabor Rd STE 116, Ankeny, IA 50023-8608
Phone: (515) 289-1974
Outstanding Local Installer
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CEC Electric logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

CEC Electric

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.cecelectric.us/
Address: 3 4th St NW, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Phone: (515) 574-7034
Outstanding Local Installer
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Northwood Electric Inc. logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Northwood Electric Inc.

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.northwood-electric.com/
Address: 97 8th St N, Northwood, IA 50459
Phone: (641) 324-2041
Outstanding Local Installer
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Atwood Electric, Inc. & AE Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Atwood Electric, Inc. & AE Solar

  • Pros icon Family owned and operated
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.atwoodelectric.com/
Address: 23124 IA-149, Sigourney, IA 52591
Phone: (641) 622-3626
Outstanding Local Installer
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Energy Nerds logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Energy Nerds

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://howtoinsulate.com/
Address: 1073 Rockford Rd SW Suite D, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone: (319) 409-5559
Outstanding Local Installer
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Solar Solutions logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.solarsolutions-ia.com/
Address: 1328 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 277-8468
Experienced Installer
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Solar FX Corporation logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Solar FX Corporation

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://solarfxinc.com/
Address: 2206 229th Pl STE C, Ames, IA 50014-6325
Phone: (515) 292-3968
Outstanding Local Installer
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SolarTech of Iowa logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

SolarTech of Iowa

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://solartechiowa.com/
Address: 20000 Wendover Pl, Dallas Center, IA 50063
Phone: (515) 531-2311
Best National Provider
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SunPower logo

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

$ $ $ $ $

Read full review

SunPower

  • Pros icon Most efficient panels on the market
  • Pros icon National coverage
  • Pros icon Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Con icon Expensive
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Western Iowa Power Cooperative logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

Western Iowa Power Cooperative

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.wipco.com/
Address: 809 IA-39, Denison, IA 51442
Phone: (800) 253-5189
Outstanding Local Installer
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Sun Rack Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

Sun Rack Solar

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.sunracksolar.com/
Address: 2508 S. 32nd St, Clear Lake, IA 50428
Phone: (515) 720-0463
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
AEC Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

AEC Solar

  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.aecgroupsolar.com/
Address: 114 E Main St, St Charles, IA 50240
Phone: (641) 396-2716
Outstanding Local Installer
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Wind and Solar Specialists logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

Wind and Solar Specialists

  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://wassus.com/
Address: 102 N Main St, Alta, IA 51002
Phone: (712) 200-2281
Outstanding Local Installer
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Twin Turbines Energy logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

Twin Turbines Energy

  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.twinturbinesenergy.com/
Address: 524 Village Green Dr, Mason City, IA 50401
Phone: (641) 512-6364

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 Ames

We get that for many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar rests on installation costs. There are a few factors you should consider when determining how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:

  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
  • The amount of sunlight your city gets: Thanks to Ames' high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your energy bills.
  • How much electricity your home consumes: Homes that consume a lot of energy each month may need more solar panels and, therefore, be more costly, but will also benefit more over time.
  • System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.

There are many great benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the planet and your wallet. Plus, it can boost the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.

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Solar Incentives in Ames

If you're thinking about making the switch to solar power, a variety of government incentives and state programs can dramatically reduce the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment. Local solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives has more detailed information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Ames.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Ames

Replacing nonrenewable energy with solar power is a great way to do your part for a more sustainable future. You may be curious — how much does going solar help the planet anyway? No matter where you are, you can help the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that use more energy will have an even bigger impact. In Ames, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. For homeowners who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Ames, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the top solar installer in Ames?

The best local solar company in Ames is Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your electricity bills, it's environmentally friendly, and it gives you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.

How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.6 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.

How long do solar panels last?

Even 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 how much energy they produce will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using 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.

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