14 Best Solar Companies in Waterloo, IA (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Waterloo based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Best solar companies in Waterloo
Searching for the best solar companies in Waterloo? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting venture that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because Waterloo has a great capacity for solar energy generation, going solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the best companies in your area. To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Waterloo, click the "get quote" 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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Waterloo
Local Service
ECG Solar Iowa
-
More transparent pricing than competitors - Educational sales approach
- Can browse portfolio on website
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services - Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
Local Service
Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Family owned and operated
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Iowa Solar Pros
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
GRNE Solar
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Comprehensive service offerings
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Removal & Reinstallation
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
Local Service
Viking Electric
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
1 Source Solar
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
CEC Electric
- Educational sales approach
- Locally owned and operated
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Decorah Electric Inc.
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Northwood Electric Inc.
- Educational sales approach
- Locally owned and operated
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Atwood Electric, Inc. & AE Solar
- Family owned and operated
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Arrow Solar
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Sunergy Renewable Systems
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Energy Nerds
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
American Energy LLC
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Waterloo
For a lot of homeowners, the decision to invest in a solar energy system boils down to the cost. A few main factors that dictate how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- How much power your household needs: If your home regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from installing solar panels.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Waterloo gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much your electricity bills will be.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what kind of solar panels you can buy.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
As a result 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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Solar Incentives in Waterloo
To increase solar panel installation and usage, federal, state and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make solar power more affordable and accessible. No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 30% of your project costs on your tax return, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. You can find out about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Waterloo
One reason so many people are considering switching to solar power is to help reduce their environmental impact. A question many people might have in mind is how much can they really help protect the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Your energy usage is an important factor to keep in mind. The more power your household consumes, the bigger your impact when you switch to solar energy. While solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Waterloo, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. The good things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with using solar energy.
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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Waterloo, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in Waterloo?
The highest-rated local solar company in Waterloo is ECG Solar Iowa, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are the major pros and cons of installing solar panels?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, totally cut your electricity bills, improve your home's value and lower your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save as much if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my home?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to cover their 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.