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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Year after year, more Council Bluffs residents install rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and provide a dependable source of power. Adopting solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. That’s why, after properly vetting providers, we assembled a guide to the most reputable solar companies in Council Bluffs. These installers offer high-quality service.
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners lower utility bills while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re determining whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly 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 PV systems, a company will need an electrical contractor or journeyman license.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to find out what previous customers have to say about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
To find a solar company that fits your budget, get free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the best value.
High-quality solar installations should come with robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues like cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring. The output warranty guarantees an energy generation baseline. Strong guarantees reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.
Solar energy can help decrease your energy expenses over time. Be sure to evaluate these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
Solar panel costs vary based on your system's capacity and the technology used. The average solar system in Council Bluffs has a capacity of 9.4 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay approximately $4,010 per kilowatt; the average Council Bluffs homeowners spends roughly $26,334 on a new solar array 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 installer 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.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of value added by renewable system
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heating system.
With home solar PV, 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 Council Bluffs, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Yes, it's possible to use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the environmental benefits and savings of solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, their rated capacity, and the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power. Council Bluffs gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 17.4 years per 5 kW of capacity.
Although solar energy is a great 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 help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
The answer will depend on your specific needs and goals. For a typical home, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for homes in Council Bluffs. However, if you have a limited budget, then you may want to consider polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels. When selecting a solar company, make sure to ask about the brand names and models of solar panels a company offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Solar panels are on par with other forms of renewable energy. They have low maintenance costs and today's systems can work in a variety of conditions.