14 Best Solar Companies in Marion, IA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Marion based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Marion, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Marion homeowner saves $1,611/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Marion
Searching for the top solar companies in Marion? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because Marion has a great capacity for solar energy generation, going solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
In this article, we'll list out the top Marion solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home's clean energy needs. Interested in seeing how much you would pay to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top Marion solar installer.
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 Marion
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
RJ Construction
- 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
ECG Solar Cedar Rapids
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Big Dog Solar Energy
- 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
Prodigy Power
- 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
- Integrated roofing
Hawkeye Solar
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Purelight Power of Cedar Rapids
- 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
- Integrated roofing
Industrial Energy Applications
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Central Iowa Power Cooperative
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
IEA Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Nelson Electric Co
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Greentech Renewables Cedar Rapids
- 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
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Marion
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Marion 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 Marion
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 Marion
The cost of installing a solar panel system has dropped significantly over the past few years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. There are a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to figure out the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:
- average energy usage: The more electricity your home consumes on average and the greater your current electricity bills are, the more benefits you'll see from switching to solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you reduce your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your city gets: Thanks to Marion's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your power bills.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can afford.
Thanks to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Marion
Although solar power is typically a big investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over time due to lower energy bills and government incentives. There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn anywhere from 30% to 50% of your money in return after buying a qualifying system. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Marion
There are a few main reasons why many people are interested in solar energy: for the good of their bank accounts and the planet. Something many might have in mind is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? Going solar is a great choice for the environment, because the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation — all of which can be powered by solar instead. Even though solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by greatly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Marion, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. If you care about the environment, you'll likely understand that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
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 Marion, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Marion?
The top local solar company in Marion is ECG Solar Iowa, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for lots of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how many watts of power they produce 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.