Solar Panels Cost 8.1k-19k in Atlantic, IA | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $8.1k-$19k in Atlantic, IA | October, 2024

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How much do solar panels cost in Atlantic, IA in 2024?

To get solar installed in October, 2024 in Atlantic, IA averages out to $3.89/W.

You should expect the price to be $3,890, on average, for every 1 kW (or 1000 watts) of solar energy your solar system will need to produce. In Atlantic, you can expect to spend about $13,615 for a 5 kW solar panel install once the 30% federal income tax credit is factored in. However, please keep in mind that a higher capacity system might be needed to satisfy your energy needs.

On the left-hand side, pick your county to access information on the typical roof size and the average maximum capacity for residential solar on homes within your area. You can review the price, payback period, and 20-year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county below.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Atlantic: $13,615US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Atlantic: 15 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Atlantic: $-1,637US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Atlantic

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
Atlantic.

Roof size 661sq. ft.
Capacity 9.25kW DC
Electricity 10.9kkWh AC per yr.

Electricity Costs in Atlantic, IA & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing

With an average consumption of 866 kWh per month, Atlantic households pay about $74.22 for electricity. Small living spaces, such as condos and cottages, are also included in the data cited in the previous sentence.

Atlantic, IA's electricity rate is on average 8.57¢ per kWh in October 2024.

To meet all of the energy needs of an average consumer in Atlantic, a solar system of 7 kW or larger is required. At this time, a 7 kW solar panel system will cost you approximately $27,230, but the 30% federal income tax credit reduces the total to $19,061.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Atlantic

On the left side below, there is the pricing details for various sizes of the solar panel systems set up in Atlantic. Naturally, with a larger solar system, you'll see a greater initial expense, but the rewards are higher electricity savings and more substantial income tax credits.

See a cost benefit analysis in the solar panel cost calculator below and to the right, for an average electric bill of $74.22 in Atlantic. To get tailored results, simply adjust the $74.22to match your average electricity bill amount.

System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $402 a year
Est. Price
$8,169
Savings from a 3kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 4,467 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $33
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.06 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 95 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 5,102 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $536 a year
Est. Price
$10,892
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,955 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $45
  • Full payback in 12 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.75 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 126 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 6,803 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $670 a year
Est. Price
$13,615
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,444 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $56
  • Full payback in 15 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.44 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 158 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 8,503 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $804 a year
Est. Price
$16,338
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,933 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $67
  • Full payback in 18 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.12 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 189 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 10,204 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $938 a year
Est. Price
$19,061
Savings from a 7kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 10,422 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $74
  • Full payback in 21 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.55 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 209 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 11,271 mi less a year

Atlantic Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

Eligible rural small businesses and farms might have their photovoltaic or wind turbine installation costs covered by the REAP Grant, ranging from 80% to 100%. If you believe you might qualify, we suggest trying our REAP Grant eligibility tool to verify.

For those considering residential solar options, a 30% federal income tax credit is broadly available, increasing the appeal and practicality of solar energy in many areas across the nation. Additionally, there are numerous state and local incentives to further promote the adoption of solar energy.

A total of 5 solar rebates and incentives are available in Iowa through various utility companies and government departments.

Solar Energy Systems Tax Credit (Personal)

Value:Up to $5,000

Iowa residents who purchase and use solar energy devices may be entitled to an individual tax credit in place of the Iowa Production Tax Credit. The total credit a taxpayer may claim equals 50% of the equivalent federal credit up to $5,000. The Department of Revenue will carry over excess credits for a maximum of ten years. Applicants should submit paperwork for this credit only after the system is installed and operational. Credits are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional information is available from the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

Solar Energy Systems Tax Credit (Corporate)

Value:Up to $20,000

Iowa businesses that purchase and use solar energy devices may be entitled to a corporate tax credit in place of the Iowa Production Tax Credit. The total credit a commercial entity may claim equals 50% of the equivalent federal credit up to $20,000. The Department of Revenue will carry over excess credits for a maximum of ten years. Applicants should submit paperwork for this credit only after the system is installed and operational. Credits are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional information is available from the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

Mandatory Utility Green Power Option

Value:Varies

By Iowa law, all electric utilities operating within the state must offer green or renewable energy options when customers request a line extension or first connect to the electrical grid. The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) keeps track of each utility's options and distributed energy tariff programs. Additional information is available from the IUB website.

IADG Energy Bank Revolving Loan Program

Value:Varies

The Iowa Area Development Group, together with the Iowa Economic Development Authority, manages a revolving loan fund for businesses within the state to install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. Loans are available at no interest and will be serviced by IADG or one of the fund's lending partners. Projects funded by these loans should be geared toward cost-efficacy and productivity for the business and job creation for the state. Additional information is available from the IADG website.

Renewable Energy Equipment Exemption

Value:Varies

Solar PV, hydro, and wind energy devices in Iowa are exempt from state sales tax. All solar and hydro system equipment qualifies by default; for wind systems, system, manufacturing, and installation costs are all exempt. Additional information is available from the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

Are solar panels worth it in Iowa?

For those looking to stay in their home past the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a good investment in Atlantic. Installing a 5 kW solar system in Atlantic, IA will, on average, save you $4,197.8 over 20 years, and you can expect to break even in about 15 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Atlantic, IA

Failing to install solar panels or an alternative backup energy means missing the savings mentioned earlier and being entirely reliant on your electric utility for electricity. The news has provided several examples highlighting that full reliance on your utility isn't always the best idea.

On average, customers in Cass County have encountered 0.93 utility outages per year in recent times. Outages typically last for an average of 95.6 minutes. Major occurrences like overloaded power grids, wildfires or planned maintenance can lead to a significant rise in these time frames.

A solar panel system with (or without) a backup battery could ease the strain of future outages you experience.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Cass County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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What impacts the cost of solar panels in Atlantic, IA?

Your Energy Needs - Even though larger solar panel systems are more expensive initially, the average price per watt lowers as the system size increases. Setting up a solar panel system that can fully offset the electric bill is advantageous to individuals because of the reduced long-term costs.

Make & Model - Solar panels, similar to many other products, are available in a variety of makes and models. The contractor’s preference for brand makes it crucial to choose a recommended company. Consumers who choose better equipment usually enjoy a better long-term experience.

Solar Panel Type - It's no surprise that monocrystalline panels are now the standard in the industry. These panels have a higher cost but yield more energy. Most installers in the industry utilize panels made from this material.

Your Property - Trees, uneven landscapes, or other barriers can increase the difficulty of the installation. Nowadays, solar installers typically leverage satellite images to evaluate your home and incorporate these considerations into the preliminary cost estimate.

Labor Rates - Companies pay different wages to their employees, and these expenses are inevitably borne by the consumers. It is commonly observed that companies with higher wages garner superior reviews for their services and customer service.

Permitting & Interconnection - The cost of installation will be affected by different local permitting and utility interconnection fees. Quality local installers will integrate these numbers into your first quotes to prevent any surprises.

See what solar panels cost in other IA cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Atlantic?

SunPro Solar

Mandeville, LA(866) 599-3643

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Auditing of energy requirements for independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Eagle Point Solar

Dubuque, IA(563) 582-4044

Services

  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

SunPower Corporation

San Jose, CA(800) 786-7693

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.
  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Monitoring of independent energy generation.
  • Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.

Harvest Solar

Jackson, MI(888) 907-6527

Services

  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.

GRNE Solar

Palatine, IL(312) 859-3417

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Consulting on all things solar related.

Entegrity

Little Rock, AR(800) 700-1414

Services

  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Installation of solar arrays.

Ideal Energy

Fairfield, IA(800) 634-4454

Services

  • Installation of batteries for energy storage.
  • Installation of solar arrays.
  • Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
  • Reparation of solar arrays.

Atlantic, IA Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • In Atlantic, IA, the mean cost per watt for solar panels as recorded in October, 2024 is $3.89/W. After the federal tax credit, the estimated cost for a 5 kW solar panel system in Atlantic, IA is roughly $13,615.

  • As of now, there are 5 rebates and incentives offered by various utilities and government entities in Iowa. Furthermore, the majority of people qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.

  • Paying in cash yields the highest savings, but there are multiple financing options available today for solar panels that are also cost-effective. Initial quotes from installers will frequently detail information about available financing options.

  • Yes, homeowners in Atlantic, IA generally see a payback time of 15 years for 5 kW solar panel systems, with electricity savings averaging $4,197.8 over a 20-year period.
Ginalyn Gelera
Last Reviewed By: Ginalyn Gelera
Published: 2024-10-01