8 Best Solar Companies in Cedar Rapids, IA (Aug 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 8 in Cedar Rapids based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Updated 7/19/2022
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Best solar companies in Cedar Rapids
Looking for the best solar companies in Cedar Rapids? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. You may have to spend a decent amount of money upfront for solar panels, but adopting solar will save you money on your energy bills in the long term. In fact, you can potentially save about $19,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we'll review the top Cedar Rapids solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home's green energy needs. To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in Cedar Rapids, you can click "get quote" below.
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Cedar Rapids
Nationwide Service
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Nationwide Service
Average Cost
The Green Panel
- 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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Local Service
Source Solar LLC
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Custom system designs
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
Local Service
R J Construction
- Can browse portfolio on website
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Locally owned and operated
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Iowa Solar
- Offers a free quote process
- Can browse portfolio on website
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reported issues with customer services
- Some reported communication issues
- Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Maintenance and Repairs
Local Service
Sitegen Solar Inc
- Can browse portfolio on website
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Regional Service
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Local Service
Century Electrical Services, L.L.C.
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
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 Cedar Rapids
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. Some main factors that dictate the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Where your home is: This affects how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- How much electricity your home consumes: Homes that consume plenty of electricity each month may need more solar panels and, as a result, be more costly, but will also benefit more over time.
- The type and model of solar panels you're thinking of getting: More efficient models have higher prices, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, lets you deduct 26% of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
As a result of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a solid investment for the majority of homeowners.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by switching to solar power, you can try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Cedar Rapids, IA.
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Solar Incentives in Cedar Rapids
Because solar power is a cleaner source of energy than fossil fuels, there are quite a few government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you a decent amount of money in return after buying a qualifying system. You can learn about the incentives available to you in the table below.
| Name | Renewable Energy Equipment Exemption |
| Incentive Amount | 100% of sales tax |
| Incentive Max | None |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | ITC |
| Type | Tax Incentive |
| Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
| Website | Visit here |
| Name | Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems |
| Incentive Amount | Solar and wind: 100% exemption for 5 years Geothermal: 100% exemption for 10 years |
| Incentive Max | Not specified |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Solar Energy Systems Tax Credit (Personal) |
| Incentive Amount | 50% of Federal ITC (15% for 2019 and earlier, 13% for 2020, 11% for 2021, 5% for 2022, 0% for 2023 and later). |
| Incentive Max | $5,000 |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Cedar Rapids
One of the best reasons to switch to solar energy is to cut your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment. A question many people might be thinking about is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power anyway? As reported by the EPA, electricity production is the second greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help lower that statistic in a city like Cedar Rapids that is responsible for a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Even though solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Cedar Rapids, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other perks apart from saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the planet too.
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Cedar Rapids, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Cedar Rapids is Source Solar LLC, with a rating of 4.18 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be bad 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. Solar panel manufacturing 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 variety of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
Despite summer being the most popular time people install solar panels, the perfect time is actually winter. You can save money since there's less demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.
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.