3 Best Solar Companies in Spirit Lake, IA (2023 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
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Spirit Lake
When you're on the hunt for the best solar companies in Spirit Lake, sifting through all the options can be intimidating, but it can pay off since switching to solar energy can offer so many good perks. Since Spirit Lake is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're looking into installing solar panels.
If you want to make use of the great amount of benefits of solar, we'll help you narrow down your options to find the Spirit Lake solar installer that's perfect for you. If you'd like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the top Spirit Lake solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
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
Iowa Lakes Electric Co-Op
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Reliable Customer Support - Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Tailored solutions - Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
Crescent Electric Supply Company
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
MidAmerican Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
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 installing a solar panel system has decreased significantly in the past few years, but it's still a substantial investment for most homeowners. Some main factors that affect how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Because of Spirit Lake'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 kind of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: One thing 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 energy 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 so may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
Because of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for most homeowners.
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For an estimate of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by switching to solar power, you can play around with the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Spirit Lake, IA.
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Solar Incentives in Spirit Lake
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is earning federal and potentially state incentives. In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in the majority of cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Spirit Lake
An important reason so many homeowners consider installing solar panels is to help bring down their environmental impact. But how much can switching to solar actually help the environment? If your family uses a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar energy. Because solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they're a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. Since solar power is abundant and produces electricity without CO2 emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help the environment.
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 most reputable solar panel company in Spirit Lake?
In Spirit Lake, Iowa Lakes Electric Co-Op is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. 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 10.0 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
When should I install solar panels?
Although summer is the most popular time people install solar panels, the best time is actually winter. You can save money since there's not as much demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the more expensive 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.