Solar Panels Cost 5.4k-16k in Creston, IA | October, 2024

Solar Panels Cost $5.4k-$16k in Creston, IA | October, 2024

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

To go solar in Creston, IA in the month of October, 2024 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 can produce. In Creston, when you subtract the 30% federal income tax credit, a 5 kW solar installation sets you back $13,615. A 5kW system might not be sufficient to fully meet your energy demands.

Use the left-hand menu to select your area and find the typical roof size and the maximum capacity for solar panel systems on homes in your county. Below, you can see an outline of the costs, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Creston: $13,615US Average: $12,562
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Creston: 9 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Creston: $11,812US Average: $15,784

Solar Potential in Creston

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

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

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

Creston energy consumers typically use 722 kWh monthly, with an average monthly bill of $130.26. Flats and other smaller housing units with reduced energy requirements are included in this statistic.

The average electricity rate in Creston, IA in October 2024 is 18.03¢ per kWh.

In Creston, a system size of 6 kW or higher is a must for the typical energy user to cover their entire electricity consumption needs. Currently, a 6 kW setup is priced at around $16,338 after incentives.

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Average solar panel costs by system size in Creston

Presented on the left and below is the price breakdown for different sizes of the solar panel systems installed in Creston. Of course, with a bigger solar system, you'll see a higher upfront cost, but the advantages are more electricity savings and larger income tax credits.

In the calculator located below and to the right, you will find a breakdown of solar panel costs and benefits, calculated with an average $130.26 electric bill for Creston. Swap the $130.26 with your usual electricity bill to get more accurate results.

System Size 2kW
Roof Size Min. space required
143 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $536 a year
Est. Price
$5,446
Savings from a 2kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 2,978 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $45
  • Full payback in 3 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.56 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 72 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 3,865 mi less a year
System Size 3kW
Roof Size Min. space required
215 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $804 a year
Est. Price
$8,169
Savings from a 3kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 4,467 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $67
  • Full payback in 5 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.34 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 108 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 5,797 mi less a year
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,072 a year
Est. Price
$10,892
Savings from a 4kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 5,955 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $89
  • Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.12 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 143 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 7,730 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,340 a year
Est. Price
$13,615
Savings from a 5kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 7,444 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $112
  • Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.9 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 179 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 9,662 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,608 a year
Est. Price
$16,338
Savings from a 6kWthis system
  • Est. yearly production 8,933 kWh
  • Est. monthly savings $130
  • Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
  • Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.54 tons a year
  • Equivalent to planting 209 trees a year
  • Equivalent to driving 11,249 mi less a year

Creston Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024

The REAP Grant offers substantial financial support, potentially covering 80% to 100% of the costs for rural businesses and farmlands to install solar or wind energy systems. Curious about your eligibility? Use our REAP Grant eligibility tool to find out.

For those looking into residential solar, the 30% federal income tax credit is accessible to most people, making solar a sensible option in numerous states. Besides the federal incentives, state and local programs also seek to boost solar energy uptake.

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

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 in Creston looking to stay in their homes past the payback period of their solar system, solar panels make perfect sense. With a 5 kW solar system in Creston, IA, the average savings over a 20 period is $17,647.4, with break even usually occurring at 9 years.

The cost of not having solar panels in Creston, IA

Beyond forgoing the savings, the absence of solar panels or another backup energy source results in full dependence on your electric utility for your power needs. As shown by recent news stories, complete dependence on your utility company isn't always ideal.

On average, customers in Iowa have faced 0.81 utility outages per year over the past few years. Typically, outages have an average duration of 63.56 minutes. However, during significant events such as thunderstorms, vandalism, or aging infrastructure, these times can drastically increase.

Whether or not a backup battery is present, a solar panel system could help ease the impact of future power outages you might experience.

Power Outages

Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Union County.

Learn more

Customers Out:

0

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

Your Energy Needs - The upfront cost for larger solar panel systems is higher, but the cost per watt decreases as the system size grows. Setting up a solar system that makes sufficient electricity to eliminate their electric bill is beneficial to most individuals, ensuring savings.

Make & Model - There are a variety of makes and models of solar panels. The potential system preferences of your installer mean that it is it's even more necessary to choose a reputable contractor. For a more favorable long-term experience, buyers should opt for superior quality equipment.

Solar Panel Type - The industry standard is now monocrystalline panels, and rightly so. They have a higher price, but they produce more energy. Most solar panel installers choose this type of material.

Your Property - Each property and home is one of a kind. Uneven ground, trees, or other hindrances can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. These days, most solar installers are able to utilize satellite images to evaluate your home and include these factors for the initial cost estimate.

Labor Rates - The wages that companies pay their employees differ, and these costs are inevitably reflected in consumer prices. Higher reviews for work and customer service are generally associated with businesses that pay higher wages.

Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which vary by region, will impact your final installation cost. Reputable local installers will include these figures in your initial estimates to ensure transparency.

See what solar panels cost in other IA cities

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Who are the best solar installers in Creston?

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.

Creston, IA Solar Panel Cost FAQs

  • During October, 2024, the average price for solar panel installations in Creston, IA is $3.89/W. Post federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel system installation in Creston, IA will roughly cost $13,615.

  • Currently, Iowa residents can benefit from 5 rebates and incentives available through various utilities and government bodies. Moreover, nearly everyone is eligible for the 30% federal income tax credit.

  • Opting to pay in cash provides the highest savings, but there are now multiple financing options for solar panels that make financial sense. Initial quotes from installers will frequently detail information about available financing options.

  • Yes, the payback period for 5 kW solar energy systems in Creston, IA averages 9 years, with electricity savings of about $17,647.4 over 20 years.
Ginalyn Gelera
Last Reviewed By: Ginalyn Gelera
Published: 2024-10-01