18 Best Solar Companies in Decorah, IA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in Decorah based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Decorah, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Decorah homeowner saves $1,752/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Decorah
When deciding on the best solar installers, Decorah homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we're here to make switching to solar power that much easier. Plus, the solar industry is growing in Decorah, giving homeowners access to some of the top solar companies in the country.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Decorah, you might notice that there are a large number of providers to choose between. So, we've accumulated an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area. To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in Decorah, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
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 Decorah
Average Cost
SunPower
-
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
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
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
greenpenny
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Gosolar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Blake Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
MiEnergy Cooperative
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
DH Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Gundersen Envision
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Ethos Green Power Cooperative
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Olson Solar Energy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Solar Connection Inc. Sales Office
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Waverly Utilities
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Recognized Excellence
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Champion Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Riverland Energy Cooperative
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Carbon Recall Independence
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Kuntz Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
EnergyBin
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
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 installer to choose depends on how much it'll cost. The cost and possible savings vary depending on some important factors such as:
- How much you spend on energy: The typical family in Decorah spends around $2,200 a year on energy use alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: This, and the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much power your solar panels can generate.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $21,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years without incentives.
- 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 lead to more savings 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.
So are solar panels worth it? Whether you're trying to reduce your electric bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Decorah homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Decorah
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government. When you install a solar panel system, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there may often be some state and city incentives that you can use to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in Decorah.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Decorah
Swapping traditional energy for solar is a powerful way to do your part for a cleaner and more sustainable future. Something many homeowners might be wondering about is how much can they really help protect the environment by going solar anyway? If your home uses a lot of energy, you can help the environment even more by switching to solar power. Because solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good trade for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, using solar power has so many other perks outside of saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the planet too.
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
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 Decorah, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installation company in Decorah?
The highest-rated local solar company in Decorah is ECG Solar Iowa, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 8.9 years, but the exact period depends on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How efficient are solar panels?
In most cases, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.
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.