3 Best Solar Companies in Iowa (2023)

Iowa’s lush, green fields and fresh air make it easy to want to take advantage of as many natural resources as possible. One area where the state is advancing is renewable energy. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Iowa has invested approximately $900 million in solar energy as of 2022. The state’s sunny summers make it a prime location for more homeowners to make the switch to solar, reducing their electricity bills and dependence on grid power.

We researched more than 20 solar providers in Iowa to determine homeowners’ best options. We looked at each provider’s website and warranty, compared pricing, conducted secret shopping, and read more than 100 customer reviews per company to see which offer the most reputable services. See which of the best solar companies we recommend for Iowa residents below.

We researched numerous Iowa companies, such as All Energy Solar and Windfree Solar. However, we feel that SunPower, ADT Solar, and Tesla are the best options for Iowa residents based on their industry expertise, warranty coverage, product selection, and service according to customer reviews.

• SunPower: Most Energy-Efficient
• ADT Solar: Best Protection
• Tesla: Best Availability

SunPower’s monocrystalline solar panels have efficiency rates up to 22.8%, putting them above other provider’s offerings of 15%–20% efficiency.

*All BBB ratings are current as of May 2023.

Learn more: SunPower review

ADT Solar protects your investment with a 25-year equipment warranty plus a power production guarantee. This means your panels are guaranteed to produce the amount of electricity projected in your contract for the duration of their lifetime. 

Learn more: ADT Solar review

Tesla is available nationwide and produces some of the most respected solar products in the industry. Not only is the company known for its solar panels, but it’s also behind the Powerwall, one of the most popular solar batteries. You can also choose to install a Tesla solar roof that uses solar shingles instead of panels for those who want to use solar energy but don’t like how visible panels are on their roof. 

Learn more: Tesla review

Solar incentives vary by location, but most states have at least one program to help homeowners save money on solar. Here are some of the benefits Iowa offers.

• Renewable energy property tax exemption: This exempts you from paying increased property tax for five years after installing a solar power system, even though your home value will increase.
• Sales tax exemption: Iowa also has a sales tax exemption, saving you 6% in taxes on any solar equipment.
• Net-metering: Net-metering is another way to put more money in your pocket. High-efficiency solar panels generate more energy than you need to power your home. This program allows you to sell excess energy back to your local utility company in exchange for credits on your energy bills.
• Federal solar tax credit: This credit began in 2005 and has been extended multiple times. It currently provides a tax deduction equal to 30% of your installation costs if you own your system; lease and power purchase agreement (PPA) customers don’t qualify.

Installing a solar energy system is costly no matter which company you choose. It’s important to get the most from such a big investment. We recommend evaluating the following factors for each provider you consider.

Solar Services

Solar providers often offer other solar products and services in addition to panels. Many companies sell solar batteries, inverters, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, and other accessories. Some handle installation in-house, whereas others outsource it to third parties. Some also partner with third parties to offer roofing services to prep your home for the most successful installation. Additionally, some providers have mobile apps that allow you to monitor your system’s performance from your phone. Understanding the full picture of what a company offers helps you get the most out of your investment. 

Warranties

There are three main types of solar warranties:

• Manufacturer’s warranty: Sometimes called a product warranty, this protects the individual solar system components in case of defects.
• Workmanship warranty: Workmanship warranties cover installation in case of poor workmanship or faulty installation.
• Performance guarantee: A power production guarantee certifies the solar system’s output as outlined in your contract.

We recommend looking for 25-year warranties in each of these cases, though some providers limit their workmanship warranty to 10 years. 

Payment Options

Providers offer different solar financing options, but you’ll typically see two or more of the following choices:

• Full purchase: Though a large initial investment, purchasing your system entirely up-front is the most cost-effective option because you’ll own your system outright, qualify for solar incentives, and avoid paying interest rates.
• Loan: Solar loans are a good financing option if you prefer to make monthly payments but still want to eventually own your solar system. You’ll still qualify for solar incentives, but you’ll pay more in total due to interest rates.
• Lease: Solar leases require little to no money down and involve paying a monthly rate to use solar energy.
• Power purchase agreement: PPAs involve making monthly payments based on the energy your system generates.

We recommend avoiding companies that push customers toward solar leases and PPAs. These options don’t result in system ownership and disqualify you from many solar incentives, so we’re wary of whether a provider has a customer’s best interest in mind if they’re not transparent about these restrictions.. 

Customer Support

Customer service shouldn’t end at installation. A company should be communicative and easy to work with during the buying and installation process, but they should also provide ongoing support as promised. We suggest testing out all customer support routes before committing to a provider, such as calling and speaking with a representative or using the website’s online chat feature to see how responsive, helpful, and friendly service representatives are. 

We also recommend asking about the company’s support after installation, such as handling service requests, providing panel maintenance and cleaning, and being available for questions.

Getting a solar quote is easy and only takes a few minutes. The simplest way is to use the online quote tool on a provider’s website. 

1. Click the Get a Quote button on the company’s site. It’s often in the top-right corner of the homepage. 
2. You’ll typically be asked to fill out a few pieces of information, such as your address, property size, and the type of solar equipment you’re interested in. Some companies ask other questions and require you to input more contact information. 
3. You should be able to get an estimate after submitting the information on the same site, or it may be emailed to you. 

If you don’t want to do the process online, you can call the company’s support number and provide the same information to get a free quote from a representative. We went through the quote process with the providers on this list over the phone and were able to get an estimate within 10 minutes.

All providers on this list have good reputations and quality products and services. We recommend SunPower as our top choice due to its high-efficiency panels. The point of going solar is to be more energy-efficient and save money on electricity, so we suggest investing in the company that helps achieve this best. 

We recommend carefully reading providers’ websites, checking customer reviews, and getting at least three quotes to compare before making a decision.

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The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

• Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
• Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
• Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
• Financing options (15%)
• Experience (10%)
• Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.