Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids, Iowa goes solar with SunPower®

Clean energy to power the City of Five Seasons

The state of solar in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids is among the most solar-friendly cities in the Midwest and enjoys 193 sunny days per year on average.* The city achieved SolSmart Gold status in 2018, the highest designation offered by the U.S. Department of Energy sponsored program, after taking steps to minimize barriers to solar adoption, such as implementing a streamlined solar permit application process.


How much solar energy does Cedar Rapids produce?

The City of Cedar Rapids has solar arrays at four of its power facilities with a total capacity of 261.04 kW and 195 residential solar systems, which add another with 1,339 kW.* While no data is available for the city’s commercial installations, that puts Cedar Rapids’ total installed solar capacity at no less than 1.6 MW.

What are the advantages of going solar in Cedar Rapids?

Electricity rates in Cedar Rapids are over 20% higher than the state average and around 9% higher than the national average.* Meanwhile, the cost of solar in Iowa has dropped more than 43% over the past five years.*

As a result, solar has the potential to offer significant electricity cost savings. With a 5 kW solar system, you could see savings as high as $20,000 over 20 years and recoup your investment within 12 to 13 years.*

Installing a solar system is also among the most effective ways to reduce your household’s carbon footprint and do your part to slow climate change. Iowa has already begun to see the negative effects of climate change in the form of rising surface temperatures and increased rainfall. Both factors have the potential to devastate the agricultural industry and, in turn, our economy.

How much does solar cost in Cedar Rapids?

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

  • Angle of the roof

  • Weather

  • Roof space

  • Household’s energy needs

  • Quality of the solar system’s panels and parts

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 Cedar Rapids, we found that the average investment to own a 5 kW solar system ranges from $12,300 to $16,350, or in other words, from $2.46 to $3.27 per watt. And that's before considering the benefits of any available tax credits or incentives.

If you buy rather than lease your solar system, you may be eligible for the 26% federal solar tax credit.* Iowa also offers an 11% solar tax credit. This credit applies to your state rather than federal income taxes and is capped at $5,000 for residential systems and $20,000 for commercial systems.

Beyond tax credits, Interstate Power and Light (IPL) and MidAmerican Energy customers may be eligible to connect their solar systems to the grid via net metering. Net metering allows you to send any excess electricity your solar panels generate back to the grid for a credit on your bill. Participating in a net metering program can be a great way to offset any electricity usage from the grid at night or on cloudy days.*

What’s the best way to go solar in Cedar Rapids?

The first step in going solar is to determine your production goals. For instance, do you want to generate enough electricity to cover all your energy usage, part of it, or are you mainly looking for a backup power source?

Your production goals help determine what solar system type and size you need. You’ll also need to consider your budget, roof size, and more. Your solar installer can work with you to determine the best specifications for your system.

Going solar in Cedar Rapids is simple with SunPower, thanks to our all-in-one solar solutions. Get started today by requesting a free consultation. We'll follow up with a quick call to schedule a time, or you can also call us directly at (800) 786-7693.

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

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