3 Best Solar Companies in Forest City, IA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Forest City based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Forest City, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Forest City homeowner saves $1,472/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Forest City
Do you want energy freedom in Forest City? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding investment since there are a lot of perks after adopting solar power. One of the most compelling reasons residents of Forest City, where the average energy bill is very high, want to go solar is to bring down their monthly expenses.
To help you comb through the large amount of Forest City solar installers, we’ve narrowed down a list of the top ones.We advise shopping around for quite a few quotes and comparing them to figure out which is the best installer for your home. To get free, no-pressure quotes from vetted solar installers in Forest City, click the link 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 Forest City
Austin Electric
Informative Resources- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
American Energy LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
The Solar Store Mankato
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Forest City
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Forest City 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 Forest City
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 Forest City
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has decreased immensely in the past few years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- The type of solar panels you can buy: This is dependent on how much you’re willing to invest upfront.
- average energy usage: The more electricity your home uses on average and the higher your current electricity bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from switching to solar.
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your energy bills, which can result in an average of $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The amount of sunlight your area gets: Due to Forest City’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electric bills.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to decrease your electricity costs, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Forest City homeowners.
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Use the calculator below to get a sense of how much adopting solar power could help the environment and your savings account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Forest City, IA.
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Solar Incentives in Forest City
There are several reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them consists of some government incentives that can help save you some money.These incentives mostly consist of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can cut how much you end up spending on installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. Our article on solar incentives has more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Forest City.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Forest City
Switching to solar energy can have a positive impact on the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Forest City, though. As stated by the EPA, electricity generation is the second greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels and switching to renewable energy can help lower that number in a city like Forest City that accounts for a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.After you go solar, your carbon emissions can be reduced by about 90 pounds every year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll no doubt find that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
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 Forest City, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in Forest City?
The top local solar company in Forest City is Austin Electric, with a rating of 4.70 stars.
Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?
Manufacturing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for lots of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on the amount of power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.