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4 Best Solar Companies in Burlington, IA

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated February 2024

Year after year, more Burlington residents turn to rooftop solar panels to add value to their property and lower their carbon footprint. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to select a qualified solar installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar installers and created a guide to the best solar companies in Burlington. These reliable providers are reliable options known for their quality services.

Our Recommended Providers

Best Overall
4.7/5
  • High-quality Maxeon solar panels
  • Nearly 30 years in business
  • Great customer service

Top 4 Best Solar Companies in Burlington

Iowa Solar

Iowa Solar Logo

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3127 N Brady St #3, Davenport, IA 52803 (563) 723-7405 iowasolar.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Energy efficiency audit
Skilled repairs
Battery storage
Residential panels
Maintenance
Emergency services
Solar panel upgrades
Commercial panels

Quad City Solar

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311 W 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801 (563) 650-2627 quadcitysolar.com

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Maintenance
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Battery storage
Cleaning

Solar Grids Quad Cities

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3023 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, IL 61265 (563) 362-0910 solargridsquadcities.com

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Maintenance
Residential panels
Permit assistance

Sunspot Solar LLC

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2020 Broadway St Suite C, Quincy, IL 62301 (217) 779-2650 sunspotsolarpower.com

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Residential panels
Permit assistance
Consultation
Financing assistance
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

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:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

How To Choose a Solar Company

Installing solar panels can cut your electricity costs and benefit the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. When deciding if a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.

Check Licensing

Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. In Iowa, anyone making at least $2,000 per year from non-DIY electrical or solar energy work is a contractor and must pursue licensure from the Division of Labor. To install solar PV systems, a company will need an electrical contractor or journeyman license.

Read Customer Reviews

Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar installers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you assess a provider's integrity and customer service. Avoid companies with few or mainly poor reviews.

Compare Multiple Quotes

Call at least three solar companies for free, itemized quotes. These quotes should explain all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps you find the option that aligns with your budget.

Ask About the Warranty

High-quality solar installations should come with robust workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues like cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong guarantees reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Going solar can help lower your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.

  • Research federal and state tax credits: There’s a 26% federal tax credit available for total solar system costs until 2032. Many states also provide incentives. The credits can result in significant savings for solar buyers.
  • Look into utility rebates: Local power companies may have extra rebates to incentivize homeowners to install solar panels. Review the eligibility criteria and rebate amounts with your local provider to calculate your potential savings.
  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels can be purchased upfront or financed through leases or loans. Review important financing details such as annual percentage rate (APR), payment schedule, fees, and ownership implications when financing your solar system.

Cost of Solar Installation in Burlington

The cost of solar panels varies based on your system's capacity and the technology used. The typical Burlington solar array has a capacity of 9.5 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay approximately $4,010 per kilowatt; the average Burlington homeowners spends about $26,695 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower their upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for things like the capacity, panel type, and size of the planned system, and should include prices for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor.

Burlington Solar Incentives Guide

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

100% of value added by renewable system

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Website: iowa.gov

Incentive Amount:

100% exemption for 10 years

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: alliantenergy.com

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 Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: tax.iowa.gov

Incentive Amount:

20% of the Federal Tax Credit, equivalent to 6% of the system cost

Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive

Website: tax.iowa.gov

Incentive Amount:

100% of sales tax

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Website: state.ia.us

Incentive Amount:

Property valued at 0% of the net acquisition cost in the first assessment year, increasing annually by 5 percentage points to a maximum of 30% of the net acquisition cost in the 7th and succeeding years

Incentive Type: Corporate Tax Exemption

Website: tax.iowa.gov

Incentive Amount:

100% exemption for self-generators, landfill gas and wind
Reduced rate for large hydro

Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: tax.iowa.gov

Incentive Amount:

50% of Federal ITC (15% for 2019 and earlier, 13% for 2020, 11% for 2021, 5% for 2022, 0% for 2023 and later).

Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: ecowatch.com

Incentive Amount:

30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Burlington, IA

A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, 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 your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Burlington, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.

Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Burlington, the average amount someone can save is $2,008 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done.

The specific required maintenance steps will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel once a quarter. Your solar energy company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance on your behalf.

While solar energy is an ideal option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, a contractor might recommend other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.

With respect to taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. For insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should speak with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.

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