14 Best Solar Companies in Clear Lake, IA (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake

If you're a homeowner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Clear Lake, it can be hard to narrow down which company to choose. But, it's worth it since adopting solar energy is often a good choice. With high amounts of average daily sunlight in Clear Lake, the solar industry is doing fairly well. An overlooked reason for this growth has been national programs that encourage residential and commercial solar panel installation.

In this article, we'll help you narrow down the top options in your area. To help you find out if solar panels are something you should get for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake

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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Viking Electric logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Viking Electric

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • 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.vikingelectric.net/
Address: 654 Norway Ave, Spring Grove, MN 55974
Phone: (507) 498-5888
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
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
ecowatch badge icon
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
ecowatch badge icon
Decorah Electric Inc. logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Decorah Electric Inc.

  • 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: http://www.decorahelectric.com/
Address: 709 Commerce Dr, Decorah, IA 52101
Phone: (563) 382-9473
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
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
ecowatch badge icon
American Energy LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

American Energy LLC

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

Services Offered

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

Website: http://www.americanenergysolar.com/
Address: 50905 320th St, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917
Phone: (507) 383-1547
Experienced Installer
ecowatch badge icon
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
Experienced Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Solar Connection, Inc. logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Solar Connection, Inc.

  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.solarconnectioninc.com
Address: 6254 34th Ave NW Ste A, Rochester, MN 55901-2794
Phone: (507) 292-8400
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
ecowatch badge icon
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
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
The Solar Store Mankato logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

The Solar Store Mankato

  • 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://the-solar-store-mankato.business.site/
Address: 1420 N Riverfront Dr Suite 101, Mankato, MN 56001
Phone: (785) 554-9249
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
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 Clear Lake

Although solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, it's necessary to know the startup costs. Some significant things that impact the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:

  • The model of solar panels you want: More high-tech panels are more costly, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 30% of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $19,000 over 20 years with your system, too.
  • The amount of sunlight your city gets: Due to Clear Lake's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electricity bills.
  • Energy consumption: Solar may be a high-cost investment for families that don't need a lot of energy per month.

So is a solar system worth it? Whether you'd like to lower your electricity costs, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Clear Lake homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Clear Lake

One of the good things about installing a solar panel system is earning government incentives. You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also potentially pair the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Clear Lake

Switching to solar energy can have a beneficial impact on the environment. But — how much exactly can you help by making the switch to solar? How much energy you use is an important factor to think about. The more energy your household consumes, the larger your impact when you go solar. Since solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good substitute for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you'll most likely recognize that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.

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 Clear Lake, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar power company is the best in Clear Lake?

The highest-rated local solar company in Clear Lake is Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

Are solar panels really good for the environment?

Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.

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

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 9.6 years, but the exact period depends on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?

Solar panel capacity is rated based on how much power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.

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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