3 Best Solar Companies in Mason City, IA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Mason City based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Mason City, IA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Mason City homeowner saves $1,799/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Mason City
When choosing between the best solar installers, Mason City homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be a lot to consider, but we’re here to make adopting solar power that much easier. You may have to spend a decent amount of money upfront for solar panels, but switching to solar will save you money on your power bills over time. In fact, you can expect to save about $21,000 over 20 years.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in Mason City, you’ll find that there are many providers to choose between. So, we’ve accumulated a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area.Read on to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected with a certified solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Mason City
Austin Electric
Reliable Customer Support- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Midwest Solar Installers
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
American Energy LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Mason City
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Mason City based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Mason City
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Iowa solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Mason City
For most homeowners, the decision to invest in solar energy boils down to the cost.The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Your income and budget: This determines what type of solar panels you can buy.
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your household uses on average and the steeper your current power bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from making the switch to solar.
- How much energy costs for you: The average family in Mason City shells out around $1,700 a year on home energy use alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your energy bills, which can lead to an average of $21,000 of savings over 20 years.
Even though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the size of your house and your energy consumption.
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Use the calculator below to see how much adopting solar power could help the Earth and your bank account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Mason City, IA.
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Solar Incentives in Mason City
There are several reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them consists of some government incentives that can help save you some money.Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in Mason City.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Mason City
There are a few important reasons why homeowners are interested in solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Mason City, though. The more energy you use, the the more the environment will benefit from you switching to solar as you won’t have to use as much nonrenewable energy.Because solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good substitute for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. Since solar power is abundant and generates electricity without CO2 emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help the environment.
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Mason City, IA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Mason City?
In Mason City, Austin Electric is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.70 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What are a few of the biggest pros and cons of switching to solar?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, entirely erase your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a good investment for many homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more costly. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof configuration and how much energy generation you want.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.