14 Best Solar Companies in Carter Lake, IA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Carter Lake based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Carter Lake, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Carter Lake homeowner saves $1,288/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Carter Lake
If you're on the hunt for the best solar companies in Carter Lake, going through so many options can be challenging, but it can pay off since switching to solar energy can offer so many great perks. While solar power is a large investment, you'll be able to make the cost back and then some, all while living more sustainably. In fact, you could be looking at saving about $15,000 over 20 years.
There are tons of installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Carter Lake. If you're ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Carter Lake solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Carter Lake
West Gateway Solar Experts
-
Reliable Customer Support - Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Tailored solutions - Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
Thompson Solutions Group
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
Continental Battery Systems of Omaha
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Red Rhino Roofs & Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
MidAmerican Energy - Walter Scott, Jr. Energy Center
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Van Meter Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Liss Technologies Group
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
Great Plains Renewables
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Sentry Electric Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
J-Tech Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
SWT Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
GRNE Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Professional reinstallation
- Integrated roofing
ABC Electric Company, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Western Iowa Power Co-Op
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Carter Lake
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Carter Lake based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Carter Lake
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Iowa solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Carter Lake
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your system. The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Carter Lake gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be a high-cost investment for families that don't consume a lot of energy a month.
Solar is a valuable investment for most homeowners. You can make your own power instead of paying for it from the grid and make use of solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the environment.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
Use the calculator below to get a sense of how much switching to solar could affect the planet and your finances. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Carter Lake, IA.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in Carter Lake
In an effort to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make solar power more affordable and accessible. You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also potentially pair the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Carter Lake
One of the most compelling reasons to tap into solar energy is to decrease your reliance on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment. A question many homeowners might have in mind is how much can they really help preserve the environment by switching to solar power anyway? For homeowners who are environmentally-conscious, using solar power is an easy decision, especially since Carter Lake produces a very high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation. If you go solar, your carbon emissions can be lowered by about 100 pounds each year. For those who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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
EcoWatch's Carter Lake, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Carter Lake?
The highest-rated local solar company in Carter Lake is Omaha Public Power District, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can produce under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household needs between 20 and 35 panels to account for how much energy they need.
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.