12 Best Solar Companies in Spencer, IA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Spencer based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Spencer, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Spencer homeowner saves $1,476/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Spencer
Finding the best solar panel installation company for your home is a huge decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Spencer. Because solar panels produce their own power, they can vastly offset your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
To help you navigate through the large amount of Spencer solar installers, we've narrowed in on a list of the top ones. To get an estimate of how much it could cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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 Spencer
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
Crescent Electric Supply Company
- Prompt Service Delivery
- 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
Iowa Lakes Electric Co-Op
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
MidAmerican Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Home installations
Whiskey Creek Trading Company
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Wind and Solar Specialists
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Alliant Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Blue Horizon Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Le Mars Solar System
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Martian Solar 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
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Spencer
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Spencer 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 Spencer
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 Spencer
Although solar panels can help save you a good amount of money on electricity bills over time, it's necessary to take into consideration the upfront costs. There are several factors you should take into consideration when determining how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- The kind of solar panels you can afford: This is dependent on how much you're willing to invest upfront.
- The amount of sunlight your house gets: Due to Spencer's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electricity bills.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Spencer uses a lot of energy, and consequently may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
- Incentives: Those who install a solar system this year can save 30% of their overall solar costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your utility bills over 20 years not including incentives.
Solar is a profitable investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and take advantage of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping protect the environment.
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If you'd like to know what your impact could be if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Spencer, IA.
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Solar Incentives in Spencer
There are a lot of reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them involves some government incentives that can help save you some money. Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 30% of how much your solar project cost when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives that stack with the ITC too. For comprehensive information about local incentives, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Spencer
If you're planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to reduce your carbon footprint. But you may be curious — how much exactly can you help by making the switch to solar? Everyone can help save the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume more energy will have an even bigger impact. Though solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Spencer, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For people who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 Spencer, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
In Spencer, CEC Electric is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your house.
Are solar panels really environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be harmful 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 10.5 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy 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 to meet 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.