Iowa

Iowa goes solar with SunPower®

Go green with solar energy and stay bright in the Hawkeye State

The state of solar in Iowa

Iowa sees about 200 sunny days each year,* but only 0.46% of the state’s electricity comes from solar power. While the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ranks Iowa 28th for solar energy,* the state ranks 16th for potential energy production. If Iowa fully utilizes its solar potential, it could produce over 4,000 GW of solar electricity to power half a billion homes.

How much solar energy does Iowa produce?

In the first quarter of 2021, Iowa had 6,692 solar installations that produced 423.7 MW, enough to power 54,792 homes. The SEIA expects the state’s solar production to grow by 728 MW over the next five years.*

What are the advantages of going solar in Iowa?

Iowa’s abundant sunlight makes it ideal for home and business owners that want to switch to clean energy. Using clean energy reduces CO2 emissions, which means that solar power users are contributing to reversing climate change.

Besides altruistic benefits, going solar has financial benefits. Relying on electricity from the grid costs more than solar power. By switching to solar today, you can save $11,000 to $15,000 over the next 20 years. Over the next 12 to 16 years, the money you could save would cover the installation costs.*

Lastly, adding solar panels to your Iowa property could increase its value by thousands of dollars. Thanks to Iowa’s exemption laws, you would not need to pay property taxes on the added value for five years.

How much does solar cost in Iowa?

The cost of a home solar system can vary, even in the same state, due to a range of factors. These include:

  • Roof angle and size

  • Permit costs

  • Installer rates

  • Quality of solar panels

  • Weather

  • Property electricity requirements

To help you understand the price of going solar in your area, we've analyzed SunPower price quotes, as well as quotes gathered by third-party sources for thousands of homeowners across the country. In Iowa, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,300 to $17,850, or in other words from $2.46 to $3.57 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

Solar panel prices in Iowa have dropped by 43% over the past five years,* making now a great time to go solar. You could further reduce the cost of going solar by taking advantage of these incentives:*

  • Federal solar investment tax credit: The U.S. government offers a tax credit for 30% of the cost of solar installation labor, equipment, and permitting.*

  • Net energy metering in Iowa: Iowa has a strong net metering policy that would pay you for excess power that your solar system generates and sends to the grid.*

  • Iowa residential solar tax credit: The program entitles you to 15% of solar installation costs (up to $5,000). Iowa will deduct the sum from your state income tax.*

  • Iowa sales tax exemption: Solar purchases are exempt from the 6% Iowa sales tax.

What’s the best way to go solar in Iowa?

Getting the best solar panels for your home requires an assessment of your property and energy needs. Eliminate guesswork and unnecessary expenses by consulting with a solar power company to take care of your transition to clean energy.

Before installing a system, solar power experts can assess your property to identify and design the best system for your budget and other requirements. They should be able to provide you with solar panels that take up minimal space but produce maximum power.

Installing premium, high-efficiency systems will allow your system to stand the test of time. Your solar company should also help you save money through various federal and state solar incentives.

To get started, simply request your free consultation with SunPower below. We’ll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time. You can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.

Start saving with solar! Schedule your online appointment with SunPower.

By clicking the “Get Started” button below, I agree to the Terms of Use, including arbitration provision and class action waiver therein, acknowledge the Privacy Policy, and consent to receive automated marketing calls/texts from or on behalf of SunPower and/or its authorized dealers regarding SunPower products and services at the telephone number provided above. My consent to automated marketing calls/texts is not a condition of any purchase; I can revoke this consent at any time by texting STOP to (512) 877-7393.