5 Best Solar Companies in Estherville, IA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Estherville based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Estherville, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Estherville homeowner saves $1,550/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Estherville
As a homeowner in Estherville, you may be interested in switching to solar energy and wondering about the best solar companies in your area. Solar could be a fantastic choice since it comes with a lot of perks. With high amounts of average daily sunlight in Estherville, the solar industry is doing fairly well. An overlooked driver of this has been national and statewide programs that support residential and commercial solar projects.
In this article, we’ll help you find the best options in your area.To get an idea of how much you would pay to put up solar panels on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Estherville by clicking the "get quote" button below.
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 Estherville
Austin Electric
Clear Pricing Policy- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
The Solar Store Mankato
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Martian Solar Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Northwood Electric Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
American Energy LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Estherville
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Estherville 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 Estherville
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 Estherville
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you will first need to pay to set up your panels.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- The amount of sunlight your area gets: Due to Estherville’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electricity bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you choose 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 space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to reduce your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $18,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- Typical energy usage: The more power your household consumes on average and the steeper your current power bills are, the more benefits you’ll see from going solar.
Though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, like the size of your house and your energy consumption.
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Adopting a sustainable source of energy can considerably impact both the environment and your monthly expenses. To see how much, check out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Estherville, IA.
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Solar Incentives in Estherville
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government.These incentives normally take the form of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can reduce how much you pay for installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Estherville
Going solar can have a beneficial impact on the environment.But you may be wondering – how much exactly can you help by making the switch to solar? Switching to solar power is a great choice for the environment, because the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.Once you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 90 pounds a year. Since energy from the sun is plentiful and produces electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help the environment.
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 Estherville, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Estherville?
In Estherville, Austin Electric is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.70 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. 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 14.5 years, but the exact period depends on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them for your home's energy needs.
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.