4 Best Solar Companies in Altoona, WI (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 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
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Altoona
When looking for the best solar companies in Altoona, going through so many options can be taxing, but it can pay off since switching to solar energy can offer so many good benefits. The average home can save $19,000 over 20 years by using solar power. And because solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, your total savings will be even higher overall.
In this article, we’ll help you find the top options in your area.We recommend shopping around for multiple quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To receive free quotes from trusted solar panel companies in Altoona, click the link 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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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
Next Step Energy
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Skilled Repairs- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Solar Chippewa Valley
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Midwest Solars
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Champion Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
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
For many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar energy comes down to the cost.There are a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:
- The type and model of solar panels you’re planning on getting: More efficient models are more highly priced, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Energy consumption: Solar may be an expensive investment for families that don’t use a lot of energy per month.
- Your energy bills: This will dictate how much money you might save. In Altoona, the average homeowner can save about $1,100 a year on their electricity bills.
Because of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a solid investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Adopting green energy can considerably impact both the environment and your monthly expenses. To see how much, check out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Altoona, WI.
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Solar Incentives in Altoona
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is receiving incentives from the government.In addition to the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some local incentives, which in almost all cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in Altoona.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Altoona
If you’re considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to reduce your carbon footprint.But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually affect the environment? No matter where you are, you can help save the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume lots of energy will have a bigger impact.Because solar panels don’t release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good swap 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 perks besides saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the planet 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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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
Which solar installation company is the best in Altoona?
The best local solar company in Altoona is Next Step Energy, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are a few of the pros and cons of switching to solar?
The advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, totally eradicate your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels call for a large upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What are the different kinds of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof 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.