7 Best Solar Companies in Waterloo, IA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 7 in Waterloo based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Waterloo, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Waterloo homeowner saves $1,346/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Waterloo
Looking to go solar but want to know which solar panel installer would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be challenging to find a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many good perks. Solar panels aren't just good for the environment — your budget will be better off too. Once you switch to solar power, you can save an average of $16,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
If you want to start taking advantage of the many benefits of solar, we’ll help you narrow down your options to find the Waterloo solar installer that’s right for you.Read on to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected 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 Waterloo
Midwest Solar Installers
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Grid-Tied Solar System- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Purelight Power of Cedar Rapids
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Prodigy Power
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
ECG Solar Iowa
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
ECG Solar Cedar Rapids
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
RJ Construction
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Eagle Point Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Waterloo
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Waterloo 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 Waterloo
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 Waterloo
The cost of installing a solar panel system has dropped immensely over the past several years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.Some important things that affect the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you choose can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- How much power your household needs: If your family regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, plus the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can make.
Due to the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Waterloo
Although solar power is typically a large investment, it can save you a significant amount of money over many years because of smaller utility bills and government incentives.These incentives typically include cash rebates, tax credits and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower how much you end up spending on installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. For detailed information about incentives for homeowners in Waterloo, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Waterloo
Swapping traditional energy for solar is a great way to do what you can for a greener future.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Waterloo, though. In Waterloo, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a big effect on the planet since solar power is a renewable source of energy.Once you go solar, your carbon emissions can be reduced by about 90 pounds every year. For those who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 Waterloo, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in Waterloo?
In Waterloo, Midwest Solar Installers is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it’s good for the environment, and it can give you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 16.7 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on the amount 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.