13 Best Solar Companies in Washington, IA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Washington based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Washington, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Washington homeowner saves $1,664/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Washington
Searching for the best solar companies in Washington? Installing solar panels is an exciting venture that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. While solar power is a sizable investment, you'll be able to make the cost back and then some, all while living more sustainably. In fact, you could end up with savings of about $20,000 over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can change significantly according to your home's setup and your household energy usage. Continue reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected with a vetted solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.
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 Washington
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
EPo Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Farmers Electric Co-Op
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
GRNE Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Tailored solutions
- Professional reinstallation
- Integrated roofing
Access Energy Cooperative
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
Ideal Energy
- Recognized Excellence
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
Simpleray Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
ECG Solar | Iowa City
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
Atwood Electric, Inc. & AE Solar
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
True Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
Iowa Solar Pros
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Washington
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Washington 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 Washington
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 Washington
Even though solar panels can help save you money on energy bills over time, it's necessary to know the upfront costs. Some main factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- How much energy you use: If your household uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from installing solar panels.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panels won't be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than someone with a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 30% of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $20,000 over the first 20 years with your solar panels, too.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you want to decrease your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Washington homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Washington
Although installing solar panels is typically a large investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over time because of smaller utility bills and government incentives. There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn some money back after buying a qualifying system. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Washington
One of the reasons so many homeowners are thinking of going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Washington, though. The more energy your household uses, the better off the planet will be from you switching to solar as you won't need to use as much nonrenewable energy. Even though making solar panels releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Washington, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. As you can see, going solar has so many other benefits besides saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the planet too.
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 Washington, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installer in Washington?
In Washington, ECG Solar Iowa is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
Are solar panels really eco-friendly?
Solar panels can be harmful 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. 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?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 9.3 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners going solar, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.