5 Best Solar Companies in Decorah, IA (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Decorah based on:

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

Average Decorah homeowner saves $1,752/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated June 24, 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 Decorah

On the hunt for the top solar companies in Decorah? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting project that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because Decorah has a good capacity for solar power generation, going solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.


In this article, we’ll give you a list of the top Decorah solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s renewable energy needs.Interested in knowing how much it’d cost to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Decorah solar installer.

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 Decorah

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Blake Electric, Inc.

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance

Website: http://www.blakeelectricinc.com/
Address: 3 W Main St, Waukon, IA 52172
Phone: 5635683686
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Ethos Green Power Cooperative

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: http://ethos.green/
Address: 729 N Main St, Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: 6086373797
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Olson Solar Energy

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: http://www.olsonsolarenergy.com/
Address: 1447 Oak Forest Dr, Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: 6087802347
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Champion Solar

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance

Website: http://www.championsolar.com/
Address: 7010 US-61, Minnesota City, MN 55959
Phone: 5073120190
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Solar Connection Inc.

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: https://solarconnectioninc.com/
Address: 920 10th Ave N, Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: 6087814683

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Decorah

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Decorah 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 Decorah


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 Decorah

For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar company to go with comes down to prices.A few key factors that dictate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much it could save you over time include:

  • Your income and budget: This affects what type of solar panels you can afford.
  • Incentives: Something 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 money on your power bills, which can result in an average of $21,000 of savings over 20 years.
  • Electricity consumption: The average home in Decorah uses a lot of energy, and therefore may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
  • How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than a house with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.

Even though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your local electricity rates.

Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}

To find out how much you can help the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Decorah, 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
Why leave {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} on the table? Help the environment and your wallet by switching to solar. SAVE NOW

Electricity rate:
{{ solarcalc.elec_cost/10 }} ¢
Shade:
{{ solarcalc.shade }} %
Time period:
{{ solarcalc.time_period }} years
System size:
{{ solarcalc.system_size }} kW
Additional Incentives:
{{ solarcalc.additional_incentives|currency }}

Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.

Solar Incentives in Decorah

Switching to solar power has many considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the planet, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.State and city solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for near you.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Decorah

If you want to add solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to lower your greenhouse gas emissions.Something many homeowners might be wondering about is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? According to the EPA, electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Switching to a clean energy source like solar power can help lower that number in a city like Decorah that generates a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.When you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 90 pounds every year. For homeowners who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.

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 Decorah, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar installation company is the best near me?

In Decorah, Blake Electric, Inc. is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.

What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?

Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.

Is it worth putting solar panels on my house?

Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for lots of homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.

How often do solar panels need to be replaced?

Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.

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.