4 Best Solar Companies in Clear Lake, IA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Clear Lake based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Clear Lake, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Clear Lake homeowner saves $1,619/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Clear Lake
Hoping to obtain energy freedom in Clear Lake? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since you can enjoy lots of benefits when you switch to solar power. Due to its moderate amount of average daily sunlight, Clear Lake has a good amount of solar growth, so several of the best solar companies in the nation have set up shop there to help residents adopt renewable energy.
If you're considering going solar, the first step to make is to find the best solar companies in Clear Lake and compare quotes. The great news is we took the time and put together a list of the best solar companies for you. To see how much you might pay to install solar panels on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Clear Lake by clicking the "get quote" button below.
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 Clear Lake
Austin Electric
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Informative Resources - Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Tailored solutions - Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
Good Steward Consulting
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Waverly Utilities
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
American Energy LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Clear Lake
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Clear 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 Clear 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 Clear Lake
We get that for many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar highly depends on installation costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- How much energy your home consumes: Homes that consume lots of energy each month may call for more solar panels and, therefore, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
- Your city: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your utility bills, which can lead to an average of $19,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
As a result of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as several solar incentives, they are a solid investment for the majority of homeowners.
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If you're interested in finding out how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Clear Lake, IA.
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Solar Incentives in Clear Lake
In an effort to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, incentives are offered by the government — and even some utility companies — to help make going solar more economically viable and accessible. Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For more information about incentives for homeowners in Clear Lake, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Clear Lake
There are a few important reasons why many people are considering solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Clear Lake, though. The more power your family uses, the better off the planet will be from you switching to solar as you won't need to burn as many fossil fuels. While solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably lowering the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Clear Lake, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. If you want to do your part for the environment, you'll no doubt understand that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
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 Clear Lake, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Clear Lake is SunRackSolar, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are some of the major advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it's eco-friendly, and it can give you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a significant upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best type of solar panel?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. In terms of efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by the layout of your roof, how much you're willing to spend and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.