5 Best Solar Companies in Carter Lake, IA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 5 in Carter Lake based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Carter Lake, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Carter Lake homeowner saves $1,288/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Carter Lake
Looking to go solar but trying to figure out which solar panel installer would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be hard to settle on a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic benefits. Solar power isn't just good for the Earth — your bank account will thank you too. Once you switch to solar power, you can save an average of $15,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
If you want to start taking advantage of the great amount of benefits of solar, we can help you narrow down your options to find the Carter Lake solar installer that’s in the right price range for you.To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in Carter Lake, you can click "get quote" 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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Carter Lake
Nebraska Solar & Wind Power/Monster Electric Inc.
Free Quotes- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation
Great Plains Renewables
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
ABC Electric Company Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
J-Tech Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
SWT Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Carter Lake
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Carter Lake 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 Carter Lake
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 Carter Lake
The cost of putting up solar panels has dropped greatly in the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, plus the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much power your solar panels can produce.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Carter Lake uses a lot of energy, and consequently may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
- The cost of electricity in your area: If your local electricity rates are especially high, there's a better chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in solar panels. In Carter Lake, you can save an average of $1,068 a month on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $15,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
Due to the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.
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For an estimate of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by switching to solar power, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Carter Lake, IA.
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Solar Incentives in Carter Lake
Since solar power is better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, there are some government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can find in Carter Lake.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Carter Lake
An important reason so many consider adopting solar energy is to help bring down their environmental impact.But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? Using green energy for electricity in place of relying on nonrenewable energy sources is an impactful way to lower carbon dioxide emissions if you're worried about Carter Lake's large level of greenhouse gas emissions.In Carter Lake, the average homeowner can lower their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year once they go solar. If you care about the environment, you’ll likely find that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
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
EcoWatch's Carter Lake, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in Carter Lake?
The best local solar company in Carter Lake is Nebraska Solar & Wind Power/Monster Electric Inc., with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it’s eco-friendly, and it can provide a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a significant upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What are the different types of solar panels?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. In regard to efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by your roof layout, your budget and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.