4 Best Solar Companies in Charles City, IA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Charles City based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Charles City, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Charles City homeowner saves $1,500/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Charles City
Getting the best solar panel installation company for your home is an important decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Charles City. On average, you can save $18,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be well above that overall.
Here, we’ll give you a list of some of the top solar companies in Charles City to make your decision a little bit easier.To get an estimate of what it might cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 Charles City
Midwest Solar Installers
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Grid-Tied Solar System- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Austin Electric
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
American Energy LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Blake Electric, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Charles City
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Charles City 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 Charles City
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 Charles City
We understand that for lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar highly depends on installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Your income and budget: This affects what type of solar panels you can buy.
- average energy usage: The more electricity your home consumes on average and the higher your current energy bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from making the switch to solar.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $18,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on energy bills than a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
Due to solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a solid investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Charles City
If you’re planning on making the switch to solar energy, various government incentives and solar rebates can immensely bring down the cost of the project and speed up the return on your investment.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much your solar project cost when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Charles City
An important reason so many homeowners are thinking of adopting solar energy is to help lower their environmental impact.But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually affect the environment? The EPA reports that electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels and switching to renewable energy can help bring down that number in a city like Charles City that is responsible for a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.In Charles City, the average resident can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year once they go solar. Since solar power is plentiful and generates electricity without CO2 emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help protect the planet.
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 Charles City, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Charles City, Midwest Solar Installers is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 15.0 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When should I put up solar panels?
Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the ideal 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.