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5 Best Solar Companies in Council Bluffs, IA

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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.

Our Recommended Providers

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

Top 5 Best Solar Companies in Council Bluffs

Nebraska Solar & Wind Power/Monster Electric Inc.

Nebraska Solar & Wind Power/Monster Electric Inc. Logo

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5810 S 92nd Cir #3515, Omaha, NE 68127 (402) 990-5356 nebraska-solar-wind-power.business.site

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Permit assistance
Residential panels

Great Plains Renewables

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21854 Platteview Rd #116, Gretna, NE 68028 (402) 600-0885 greatplainsrenewables.com

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Informative resources

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Residential panels
Commercial panels
Maintenance

J-Tech Solar

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6200 Havelock Ave, Lincoln, NE 68507 (402) 261-8207 jtechconst.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Residential panels
Consultation
Skilled repairs

ABC Electric Company Inc.

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1012 N 25th St, Lincoln, NE 68503 (402) 435-3514 abcelectric.net

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Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Prompt service delivery

Informative resources

Services Offered

Solar panel upgrades
Residential panels
Cleaning
Commercial panels

SWT Energy

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8800 S 55th St, Lincoln, NE 68516 (402) 440-5064 swtenergy.com

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Informative resources

Services Offered

Battery storage
Commercial panels
Residential panels
Maintenance
Tesla powerwall
Solar carports
Energy efficiency audit
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

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.

Check Licensing

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.

Read Customer Reviews

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.

Compare Multiple Quotes

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.

Ask About the Warranty

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.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

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.

  • Look into utility rebates: Some utility companies may provide additional rebates to incentivize homeowners to adopt solar power. Check the eligibility criteria and rebate amounts offered by your local power company to determine the possible savings.
  • Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal tax credit on the full cost of solar systems is available through 2032. Many states also offer incentives. These credits can result in substantial savings for solar buyers.
  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels may be paid for outright or financed over time through a loan or lease. Review all terms when financing, including fees, annual percentage rate (APR), payment schedule, and ownership implications.

Cost of Solar Installation in Council Bluffs

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.

Council Bluffs 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: 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 Council Bluffs, IA

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.

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