13 Best Solar Companies in Des Moines, IA (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Des Moines 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 Des Moines

As a homeowner or business owner in Des Moines, you may be interested in switching to solar energy and wondering about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a good idea since it comes with a lot of perks. Due to Des Moines' great level of sunshine on average, there are lots of solar companies to choose from.

As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Des Moines, you'll find that there are a great number of providers to choose from. So, we've organized a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area. If you want to receive free, no-obligation quotes from the best Des Moines solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.

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 Des Moines

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
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
Atwood Electric, Inc. & AE Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Atwood Electric, Inc. & AE Solar

  • Pros icon Family 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.atwoodelectric.com/
Address: 23124 IA-149, Sigourney, IA 52591
Phone: (641) 622-3626
Outstanding Local Installer
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Solar Solutions logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • 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.solarsolutions-ia.com/
Address: 1328 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 277-8468
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
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
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
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Simpleray Solar - Bloomfield logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Simpleray Solar - Bloomfield

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.simpleray.com/
Address: 111 S Washington St, Bloomfield, IA 52537
Phone: (800) 808-0786
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
Western Iowa Power Cooperative logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Western Iowa Power Cooperative

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • 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://www.wipco.com/
Address: 809 IA-39, Denison, IA 51442
Phone: (800) 253-5189
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
AEC Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

AEC Solar

  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.aecgroupsolar.com/
Address: 114 E Main St, St Charles, IA 50240
Phone: (641) 396-2716
Best Technology
ecowatch badge icon
Tesla Energy logo

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

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

$ $ $ $ $

Read full review

Tesla Energy

  • Pros icon Price-match guarantee
  • Pros icon Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Pros icon Best solar battery on the market
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://www.tesla.com/energy
Best Warranty Coverage
ecowatch badge icon
Sunpro Solar logo

Regional Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-empty

$ $ $ $ $

Read full review

Sunpro Solar

  • Pros icon Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.gosunpro.com/

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 Des Moines

When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners care about the costs the most. The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:

  • Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
  • The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Due to Des Moines' high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your energy bills.
  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. In addition, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
  • Typical energy usage: The more power your home consumes on average and the higher your current power bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from making the switch to solar.

Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own electricity instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping the Earth.

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Adopting a renewable source of energy can substantially impact both the environment and your monthly expenses. To see how much, use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Des Moines, IA.

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Solar Incentives in Des Moines

There are lots of reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them consists of some government incentives that can save you money. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you some money back after buying a qualifying system. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can benefit from.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Des Moines

Lots of people want to do their part to help save the environment, which in many cases is the main reason for installing a solar system. But you may be curious — how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? If your home uses lots of energy, you can help the environment even more by switching to solar power. In Des Moines, the average person can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. The great things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with using solar energy.

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 Des Moines, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar power company is the best near me?

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

What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?

Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle 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 12.3 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

What is the best kind of solar panel?

There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. As for efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by your roof configuration, how much you're willing to spend and desired energy output.

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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