Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Ames residents. Adopting solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and shrink your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. That’s why we’ve reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the most reputable solar providers in Ames. These top providers offer high-quality and reliable services.
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Putting solar panels on your roof could cut your electricity payments while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when researching local solar installers are as follows.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. In Iowa, anyone making at least $2,000 annually from non-DIY solar or electrical work is a contractor and must pursue licensure from the Division of Labor. To install solar photovoltaic systems, a company will need an electrical contractor or journeyman license.
Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar installers. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a provider's reliability and customer service. Avoid companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
To find a solar installer that fits your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
High-quality solar installations should come with robust workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong guarantees reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.
Solar energy can help reduce your energy expenses over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
The cost of home solar panels in Ames will depend on several factors, including the area and generating capacity of your panel array and the type of panels you'll use. Generally speaking, a typical solar energy system will cost $4,010 per kilowatt, not including labor, permit fees, or preliminary work. Most solar systems in Ames are 9.6 kilowatts, and the typical Ames homeowners spends $26,885 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer leasing their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of value added by renewable system
Incentive Amount:
Advanced Power Strips: up to $20
Air Source Heat Pump: $300-$800 for existing homes, $180-$480 for new homes
Appliance Recycling: up to $50
Central A/C: $150-$600 for existing homes, $90-$360 for new homes
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: Varies
Electric Heat Pump Water Heater: $300-$350 for existing homes, $180-$210 for new homes
Electric HVAC System Tune-Up: up to $50
Gas Furnace: $180 for existing homes, $80 for new homes
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,320-$1,750 for existing homes, $790-$1,050 for new homes
Learning Thermostat: $100 for existing homes, $60 for new homes
LED Light Bulbs: In-Store Rebates
Online Home Energy Assessment: FREE
Room Air Purifier: up to $30
Variable Speed Pool Pumps: up to $220
Incentive Amount:
Energy Star New Home: $250
Energy Audit: FREE
LED Lighting: 20% of cost
Refrigerators: $25 - $75
Dishwashers: $25
Clothes Washing Machines: $50
Electric Dryer: $50
Dehumidifier: $25
Air Conditioner: Varies by technology
Solar Photovoltaics: $300/kW
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar heating system for your water.
With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on where you live and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Ames, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, and their rated capacity. Ames gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 13.9 years per 5 kW of capacity.
The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. Many solar contractors in the Ames area offer low-cost maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system.
While solar energy might not be the best option for some in dark or wet areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could increase your property's solar viability enough where you could achieve a return on investment. A contractor could also recommend a different primary source of renewable energy like wind or geothermal to boost your generation.
