We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our Reviews Team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
Best 5 Solar Companies in West Des Moines, IA
The best solar company in West Des Moines is Purelight Power of Des Moines.
Get matched with a top local pro
Join the 10,601 people who have received a free, no-obligation quote in the last 30 days
- Fact Checked
Fact checked by one of our trusted team members.
- Updated 2024-04-18 00:00:00
West Des Moines homeowners are intentional about protecting the environment and embracing sustainability. That's why many people are purchasing panels from the top solar installers for their homes. Local homeowners might choose solar to break free of high power costs from sources like wind. A skilled solar contractor can help you install and optimize a system that fulfills your energy needs without costing a fortune. In this article, we'll highlight West Des Moines' best solar companies and offer advice for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your household.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
- Builds custom, high-efficiency solar systems suited to each home
- Extensive coverage area throughout the country
- Offers energy storage and EV charger add-ons
5 Best Solar Companies in West Des Moines
Brands are algorithmically curated from a database of local service providers near you. We require a minimum number of Google reviews and average ratings for provider inclusion.
Purelight Power of Des Moines
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Walter Roofing
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
CB Solar Inc.
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
1 Source Solar
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Purelight Power
Ratings are based on our detailed proprietary methodology and review standards.
Ranking Methodology
Our team has meticulously studied dozens of solar contractors near West Des Moines, keeping in mind the following criteria:
- Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to care for your system and optimize its performance.
- Feedback and reviews from customers: Most West Des Moines solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio reflects a company's trustworthiness and responsiveness to issues.
- Experience and professional licensure: Each provider on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the West Des Moines community for over 15 years.
- Panel quality and brand offerings: The top solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
- Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each installer responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
Facts about West Des Moines
- Average Max Temperature:59°F
- Solar Payback Period:17 years
- Average Daily Sunlight:53%
- Homes Powered by Solar:256
- Average Annual Energy Bill:$1,068
- Solar Power per Capita:19.6%
Benefits of Solar Energy
Solar energy offers multiple advantages. Here are some highlights.
- Reduced carbon footprint: Solar is a highly abundant clean energy source, meaning you can lower or beat your home's dependence on "traditional" sources.
- Lowered energy bills: With solar panels, you generate power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states offer net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
- Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home powered through blackouts and emergencies, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with an optional battery backup system.
What Solar Incentives Are Available to West Des Moines Homeowners?
Governments and power companies often incentivize homeowners for embracing solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.
Incentive Type:Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of value added by renewable system
Incentive Type:Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of sales tax
Incentive Type:Personal Tax Credit
Website:https://tax.iowa.gov/solar-energy-system-tax-credits
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:Property Tax Incentive
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:Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% exemption for 10 years
Incentive Type:Personal Tax Credit
Incentive Amount:
20% of the Federal Tax Credit, equivalent to 6% of the system cost
Incentive Type:Corporate Tax Exemption
Website:https://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:https://www.ecowatch.com/solar/ev-appliance-solar-tax-credit-calculator
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.
How To Choose the Best Solar Company in West Des Moines
The price and efficiency of solar panels often rely on the solar company that mounted them. Make your choice based on the following vital factors.
Licensing and Training
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 contractors' or journeymens' license. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most prestigious are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, awarded by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.
Cost of Solar Panels in West Des Moines
Your solar panels' style will affect how much electricity you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels offer you a budget panel with a traditional design, but at the cost of less power generation. Thin-film panels have a low cost and are excellent for non-traditional roofs, but aren't recommended for large home installations.
You can also add electric vehicle (EV) chargers and battery backup systems. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can enhance your solar system's performance. Not all solar contractors include these extras, so look for a company that installs them if it's important for you.
You can plan to spend about $20,050 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in West Des Moines. Check the table in this section to get an idea of what amount West Des Moines solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.
| Solar Panel Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar Monocrystalline | $1,105.00 |
| Solar Polycrystalline | $861.90 |
| Thin-Film | $503.88 |
| Solar Battery | $707.20 |
| Solar Home EV Charger | $2,652.00 |
Financing Solar Energy in West Des Moines
There are various ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include leases, cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and loans. Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they help you avoid paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Like a car or home loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases let you use your panels for a fixed monthly rate, while PPAs let you pay just for the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. Both options disqualify you for solar incentives and don't grant you system ownership. Solar experts generally don't recommend them, but they might be suitable in some cases. We advise working with a contractor that offers multiple financing options. Ask each salesperson about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your budget.
The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in West Des Moines.
You can claim a 26% federal solar tax credit from the IRS for new residential solar systems purchased before 2032. Additionally, local governments and utilities may have their own financing plans and rebates that could reduce your total cost even more.
| Solar System Capacity | Estimated Payback period |
|---|---|
| 1 kW | 2.1 years |
| 2 kW | 4.3 years |
| 5 kW | 10.6 years |
| 10 kW | 21.3 years |
Frequently Asked Questions about Solar in West Des Moines
On average, West Des Moines homeowners shell out around $1,068 per year on energy bills. Once you pay off your solar array, you could save $819.10 for every kilowatt you produce.
Yes, solar energy is readily available in West Des Moines. A growing number of local homes generate or access solar power on-site or through utility grids, and Iowa has about 869 jobs making up its solar economy.
Yes, new solar systems lead to higher property values according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL.) Homeowners could project a $20 property value increase for each dollar they save on energy. Therefore, $600 in energy savings could increase your home's value by $12,000.
To determine your home's solar readiness, there's no substitute for a comprehensive estimate from a local solar installer. However, you can use the PVWatts tool for a simple solar viability estimate based on public data, including panel efficiency, system size, tree cover, and local weather and topography.
Solar panels don't need much maintenance to keep working properly. All you'll need to do is inspect and clean the panels every six months or as necessary in dusty seasons. Solar providers frequently offer maintenance packages to help you in your system's care.
Most West Des Moines homeowners pay back a solar loan in 17.1 years. You can shorten the payback period by paying off extra loan principal each month.
Choosing a leasing option means your solar company will handle panel maintenance while you make fixed monthly payments. Power Purchase Agreements differ slightly because you pay based on the electricity you produce.
You don't own the panels with either option, though you can choose to opt out of the contract for a fee.
Sources
Explore Useful Articles On Solar
How Do Solar Panels Work? (2024)
Tamara Jude-December 19, 2023
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? (2024 Guide)
Tamara Jude-December 19, 2023
Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels (2024 Guide)
Tamara Jude-December 19, 2023
Types of Solar Panels (2024 Guide)
January 31, 2024
What Are the Environmental Benefits of Solar Energy?
Tamara Jude-December 18, 2023