3 Best Solar Companies in Spirit Lake, IA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Spirit Lake based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Spirit Lake, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Spirit Lake homeowner saves $1,544/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Spirit Lake
Looking to go solar but still deciding on which solar panel installer would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be difficult to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good perks. Over 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $18,000 on your electricity bills.
If you’re thinking about going solar, the first step to make is to find the best solar companies in Spirit Lake and compare quotes. That’s why we did the hard work and compiled a list of the best solar companies to make your life easier.Continue reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or connect with a vetted solar company near you right away by clicking the 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 Spirit Lake
Martian Solar Power
Reliable Customer Support- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
The Solar Store Mankato
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Northwood Electric Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Spirit Lake
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Spirit Lake 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 Spirit Lake
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 Spirit Lake
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has dropped greatly over the past several years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some important factors such as:
- Your income and budget: This affects what model of solar panels you can buy.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your power bills, which can give you an average of $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Spirit Lake uses a lot of energy, and consequently may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, plus how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can produce.
Because of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as several solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Spirit Lake
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives.When you install solar panels on your house, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you lower your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some local incentives that you can take advantage of to further save. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Spirit Lake
There are a few big reasons why people are interested in solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.You may be curious – how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? 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. Using solar power can help put a dent in that statistic in a city like Spirit Lake that generates a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.If you go solar, your carbon emissions can be lowered by about 90 pounds each year. Since solar energy is renewable and makes electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help the planet.
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 Spirit Lake, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installer in Spirit Lake?
The highest-rated local solar company in Spirit Lake is Martian Solar Power, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be detrimental 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. Solar panel manufacturing uses 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?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 14.5 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the best time is actually winter. You can save money since there's less demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the higher power bills you may get during the summer.
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.