4 Best Solar Companies in Charles City, IA (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Charles City based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Charles City, IA
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Charles City homeowner saves $1,500/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 01, 2024

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 Charles City

Getting the best solar panel installation company for your home is an important decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Charles City. Solar power isn't just good for the environment — your budget will be better off too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $18,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.


Here, we’ll give you a list of some of the top solar companies in Charles City to make your decision a little easier.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best Charles City solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.

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

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Charles City

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

Midwest Solar Installers

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Solar Panel Upgrades
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: https://www.midwestsolarinstallers.com/
Address: 1601 University Ave, Waterloo, IA 50701
Phone: 3192431569
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

Austin Electric

  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Maintenance

Website: http://www.austinelectric.net/
Address: 1111 5th Pl SE, Austin, MN 55912
Phone: 5074348080
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

American Energy LLC

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: http://www.americanenergysolar.com/
Address: 50905 320th St, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
Phone: 5073831547
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Blake Electric, Inc.

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: http://www.blakeelectricinc.com/
Address: 3 W Main St, Waukon, IA 52172
Phone: 5635683686

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Charles City

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Charles City 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 Charles City


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 Charles City

For many readers, the decision of which solar installer to hire depends on how much it’ll cost.Some significant things that impact the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:

  • Your income and budget: This affects what kind of solar panels you can buy.
  • Electricity consumption: The average household in Charles City uses a lot of energy, and therefore may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $18,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
  • How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof gets limited direct sunlight, your solar system won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on energy bills than a house with a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.

So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to lower your electric bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many Charles City homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Charles City

If you’re planning on making the switch to solar energy, various government incentives and solar rebates can immensely bring down the cost of the project and speed up the return on your investment.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. For more information about local incentives, see our article on solar incentives.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Charles City

Swapping traditional energy for solar is a great way to do what you can for a greener future.A question many might be thinking about is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? For homeowners and business owners who want to help preserve the planet, switching to solar power is an easy choice, especially since Charles City produces a very high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.Even though solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Charles City, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. The great things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with committing to solar.

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

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Charles City, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the best solar panel company in Charles City?

In Charles City, Midwest Solar Installers is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.

Are solar panels really good for the environment?

Producing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 15.0 years, but the exact period varies depending on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

When should I install solar panels?

You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.

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.