11 Best Solar Companies in Altoona, WI (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Altoona based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Altoona, WI
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Altoona homeowner saves $1,592/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Altoona
Finding the best solar panel installation company for your roof is a huge decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Altoona. Because solar panels produce their own energy, they can vastly lower your electricity bill each month, if not totally eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $19,000 of savings over 20 years.
If you're considering going solar, the first step to make is to find the best solar companies in Altoona and compare quotes. The good news is we went ahead and compiled a list of the best solar companies so you don't have to. To help you figure out if solar panels are something you should get for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Altoona by clicking the button below.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Altoona
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
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
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
Next Step Energy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
Solar Forma Design
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Eau Claire Energy Cooperative
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
SolaDeck
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Solar Chippewa Valley
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
Midwest Solars
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Champion Solar
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Altoona
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Altoona 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 Altoona
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Wisconsin 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 Altoona
We know that for most homeowners, the decision to invest in solar comes down to installation costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- How much energy you use: If your family needs to use a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from switching to solar.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Altoona doesn't get a lot of average daily sunlight, your solar system may not be able to 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. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $19,000 over 20 years with your system, too.
- Your power bills: This will impact your savings. In Altoona, the average resident can save about $1,500 a year on their electricity bills.
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, giving you even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Use the calculator below to find out how much switching to solar could help the Earth and your finances. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Altoona, WI.
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Solar Incentives in Altoona
There are many reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them consists of some government incentives that can help save you some money. State and city solar incentives vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Altoona.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Altoona
Installing solar panels can have a beneficial impact on the environment. But — how much exactly can you help the environment by making the switch to solar? How much energy you use is a key factor to consider. The more power your household consumes, the bigger your impact when you go solar. In Altoona, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. Since solar power is renewable and produces electricity without CO2 emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help preserve the environment.
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Altoona, WI Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in Altoona?
In Altoona, Sisu Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your house.
What are a few of the pros and cons of adopting solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, 100% erase your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels require a large upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can generate under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get 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.