13 Best Solar Companies in West Des Moines, IA (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in West Des Moines based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Solar installers near you
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best solar companies in West Des Moines

When deciding on the best solar installers, West Des Moines homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be overwhelming, but we're here to make adopting solar energy that much easier. Installation costs can be high, but switching to solar will save you money on your energy bills over time. In fact, you can look forward to saving about $16,000 over 20 years.

If you're considering going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in West Des Moines and compare quotes. That's why we did the hard work and put together a list of the best solar companies so you don't have to. To get an estimate of how much it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in West Des Moines

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Family owned and operated
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.rabehardware.com/
Address: 112 W 4th St, Vinton, IA 52349
Phone: (319) 472-2011
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
1 Source Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

1 Source Solar

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.1sourcesolar.com
Address: 3020 SW Oralabor Rd STE 116, Ankeny, IA 50023-8608
Phone: (515) 289-1974
Outstanding Local Installer
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CEC Electric logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

CEC Electric

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.cecelectric.us/
Address: 3 4th St NW, Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Phone: (515) 574-7034
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Atwood Electric, Inc. & AE Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Atwood Electric, Inc. & AE Solar

  • Pros icon Family owned and operated
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.atwoodelectric.com/
Address: 23124 IA-149, Sigourney, IA 52591
Phone: (641) 622-3626
Outstanding Local Installer
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Solar Solutions logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.solarsolutions-ia.com/
Address: 1328 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 277-8468
Experienced Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Solar FX Corporation logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Solar FX Corporation

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://solarfxinc.com/
Address: 2206 229th Pl STE C, Ames, IA 50014-6325
Phone: (515) 292-3968
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
SolarTech of Iowa logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

SolarTech of Iowa

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://solartechiowa.com/
Address: 20000 Wendover Pl, Dallas Center, IA 50063
Phone: (515) 531-2311
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Simpleray Solar - Bloomfield logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Simpleray Solar - Bloomfield

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.simpleray.com/
Address: 111 S Washington St, Bloomfield, IA 52537
Phone: (800) 808-0786
Best National Provider
ecowatch badge icon
SunPower logo

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

$ $ $ $ $

Read full review

SunPower

  • Pros icon Most efficient panels on the market
  • Pros icon National coverage
  • Pros icon Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Con icon Expensive
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Western Iowa Power Cooperative logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

Western Iowa Power Cooperative

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.wipco.com/
Address: 809 IA-39, Denison, IA 51442
Phone: (800) 253-5189
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
AEC Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

AEC Solar

  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.aecgroupsolar.com/
Address: 114 E Main St, St Charles, IA 50240
Phone: (641) 396-2716
Best Technology
ecowatch badge icon
Tesla Energy logo

Nationwide Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-half

$ $ $ $ $

Read full review

Tesla Energy

  • Pros icon Price-match guarantee
  • Pros icon Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Pros icon Best solar battery on the market
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://www.tesla.com/energy
Best Warranty Coverage
ecowatch badge icon
Sunpro Solar logo

Regional Service

EcoWatch Rating

Average Cost

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-empty

$ $ $ $ $

Read full review

Sunpro Solar

  • Pros icon Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.gosunpro.com/

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 West Des Moines

The cost of installing a solar panel system has decreased greatly in the past several years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. There are several factors you should take into consideration when determining costs and your potential savings, such as:

  • System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
  • Average daily sunlight: Since West Des Moines gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your electricity bills will be.
  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently 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 $16,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
  • average energy usage: The more power your home uses on average and the larger your current power bills are, the more money you could save by making the switch to solar.

There are lots of good benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your wallet. Plus, it can boost the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.

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Adopting green energy can significantly impact both the environment and your bills. To see how much, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for West Des Moines, IA.

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Solar Incentives in West Des Moines

Although installing solar panels is typically a large investment, it can save you a considerable amount of money over several years because of smaller utility bills and government incentives. These incentives typically include cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower the cost you pay for going solar by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on your location. You can find out about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in West Des Moines

If you're thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to lower your carbon footprint. But — how much exactly can you help the planet by making the switch to solar? The more energy your house uses, the the more the environment will benefit when you switch to solar since you won't need to burn as many fossil fuels. In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. Since solar energy is plentiful and generates electricity without releasing carbon emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help preserve the planet.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's West Des Moines, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the most reputable solar installer in West Des Moines?

In West Des Moines, Rabe Hardware - Vinton Showroom is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your electricity bills, it's eco-friendly, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.

Are solar panels worth it?

Solar panels can be a good investment for many homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.

When is the best time of year to install solar panels?

Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the optimal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's decreased 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.

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