What To Know When Buying Solar
Solar Panels and Solar Installation Cost for Iowa
There are two distinct ways to build out a solar energy system for your home: you can buy the panels, or you can lease them through a power purchase agreement (PPA).
While leasing solar panels can be cheaper upfront than buying them, buying solar panels ensures that you own your solar system, as well as the power that it puts out over its lifetime.
That being said, a solar energy system is a significant investment. Below, you’ll find some tips and pointers regarding what you should know about buying solar panels.
- Average Cost of Residential Electricity in Iowa/month: $94.
- Average Cost of Commercial Electricity in Iowa/month: $368.
- Note: Over the past ten years, the price of solar power has declined from $8/Watt in 2009 to $2.25/W in 2025.
Solar Panel Placement
Roof Size/Type
If you have a larger roof, you’ll be able to fit more panels and generate more power. Smaller roofs can still generate decent amounts of power, but the solar installer will need to make an assessment as to whether or not panels can be installed that will make up for the smaller space with higher energy output.
Roof Orientation
Where does your roof face? Use this tool to find how your house falls specifically in the orientation of the sun, and how much power you’ll be able to take in over the course of the year.
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What To Know Before Buying Solar
Solar Energy Incentives
Cash
One of the benefits of solar panel installation is the numerous tax incentives, rebate programs, and other financial incentives that are currently available to solar panel owners.
These opportunities, plus more, are a great way for solar panel owners to see a return on investment. This means that on top of solar helping you cut down on electricity bills, you’re also getting prime energy usage from a renewable energy source, and you’re getting paid for it.
These Tax Credits can be:
- Federal Tax Credit
- Grants
- Other methods of Solar Payback, like Net Metering
- Help reduce bills, reduce grid strain, and reduce your home’s carbon footprint
ECG Solar™, Iowa’s Premier Solar Provider™, carries state-of-the-art solar panels and energy-efficient systems available. We have a variety of products from Enphase™ storage battery systems, to Premium Tier 1 solar panels, to Kohler™ standby generators. Our firm belief is that widespread solar conversion will help Iowan’s cut down on their electricity bills and help the environment.
