4 Best Solar Companies in Fort Dodge, IA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Fort Dodge based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Fort Dodge, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Fort Dodge homeowner saves $1,401/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Fort Dodge
Choosing the right solar panel installation company for your roof is an important decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Fort Dodge. Fortunately, Fort Dodge residents have many of the best solar companies in the nation, all of which provide outstanding value for generating green energy.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow in on the best options in your area.For an idea of how much you might have to pay to install a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Fort Dodge by clicking the "get quote" button 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 Fort Dodge
Purelight Power of Des Moines
Reliable Customer Support- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Grid-Tied Solar System- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
1 Source Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Lectrk Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
MidIowa Power
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Fort Dodge
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge
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 Fort Dodge
We know that for most homeowners, the decision to invest in solar hinges on installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- The cost of electricity in your area: If your local utility rates are especially high, there's a good chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In Fort Dodge, you can save an average of $1,068 a month on your electricity bills.
- The kind of solar panels you want: More efficient panels are more highly priced, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Fort Dodge uses a lot of energy, and so may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
Because of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as several solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Fort Dodge
Although a solar power system is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you much money over several years because of smaller power bills and government incentives.When you install solar panels on your house, you can claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Additionally, there are often some state and city incentives that you can benefit from to further save. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Fort Dodge
There are a few main reasons why homeowners want to invest in solar energy: to help their wallet and the environment.A question many people might be asking themselves is how much can they really help save the environment by going solar anyway? An important thing to think about is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if your commute is very long, your footprint may be greater, so switching to solar energy for your home can help offset that.Because solar panels don’t release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good substitute for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, using solar power has so many other benefits apart from saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
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 Fort Dodge, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Fort Dodge?
The best local solar company in Fort Dodge is Purelight Power of Des Moines, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What are the pros and cons of adopting solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, 100% cut your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and lower your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey 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 house?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
Although summer is the most popular time people install solar panels, the perfect time is actually winter. You can save money since there's less demand during the winter months, and it allows you to 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.