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
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Average Decorah homeowner saves $1,752/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Decorah
Searching 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 energy generation, installing solar panels is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
Here, we’ll give you a list of some of the best solar companies in Decorah to make your decision a little easier.Want to know 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 National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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
Blake Electric, Inc.
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Ethos Green Power Cooperative
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Olson Solar Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Champion Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar Connection Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
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
We understand that for many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar hinges on installation costs.Some important things that impact the cost and possible savings include:
- The kind of solar panel system you have the money for: This depends on how much you’re willing to invest upfront.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 of your overall installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $21,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
- Energy consumption: Solar may be too pricey an option for homes that don’t use too much energy per month.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Decorah doesn’t get a lot of average daily sunlight, your solar system may not be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much you can save on your energy bills.
There are lots of good benefits of solar even with the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your wallet. Additionally, it can increase the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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Use the calculator below to get a sense of how much installing a solar panel system could affect the Earth and your bank account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Decorah, IA.
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Solar Incentives in Decorah
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make going solar more economically viable and accessible.These incentives usually include cash rebates, tax benefits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut the cost of installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. 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 more eco-friendly future.But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? For homeowners who are environmentally-conscious, using solar power is a no-brainer, especially since Decorah produces a very high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other benefits besides saving money. One of the most important ones is that you can help save the planet too.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- 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
- 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 most reputable solar panel installation company in Decorah?
The top local solar company in Decorah is Blake Electric, Inc., with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Producing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
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 local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can opt to replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use 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.