Solar Panels Cost $10k-$21k in Scott County, IA | November, 2024
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How much do solar panels cost in Scott County, IA in 2024?
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The typical price per watt for a solar panel installation in Scott County, IA in November, 2024 is $3.9/W.
For every 1000 watts (1 kW) your solar system can generate, you will need to invest, on average, $3,900 for installation. You are able to come up with this number by using this rate price cost per watt. After receiving the 30% federal tax credit, you can expect to spend around $13,650 for a 5 kW solar panel system in Scott County. Note that a larger system might be necessary to fulfill your energy requirements.
To the left, you can choose your county to see the typical roof size and average maximum capacity for residential solar on homes in your area. You can also see an overview of the costs, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system in your county below.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Scott County: $13,650US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Scott County: 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.
Scott County: $10,171US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Scott County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Scott County.
Roof size 644sq. ft.
Capacity 9kW DC
Electricity 10.4kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Scott County, IA & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
Energy consumers in Scott County pay an average of 123.63 per month for electricity, while using 905 kWh on average. It’s worth remembering that this figure includes apartments and smaller homes that usually have lower energy use.
As of November 2024, the mean rate for electricity per kWh in Scott County, IA amounts to 13.66¢.
The expected cost is around $31,200for an 8 kW solar system initially, but the federal tax credit gives you 30% back, lowering the cost to $21,840.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Scott County
Shown below and to the left, you can find a detailed cost analysis for various solar panel system sizes set up in Scott County. The investment for a bigger solar panel setup is greater, but it also yields greater electricity savings and increased income tax credits.
View a cost benefit analysis in the solar panel cost calculator below and to the right, for an average electric bill of $123.63 in Scott County. By changing the $123.63 to your average electricity bill, you can get more personalized results.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 4kW
Roof Size Min. space required
286 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $786 a year
Est. Price
$10,920
Savings from a 4kWthis system
Est. yearly production 5,613 kWh
Est. monthly savings $65
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.25 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 103 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,568 mi less a year
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $982 a year
Est. Price
$13,650
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,016 kWh
Est. monthly savings $82
Full payback in 9 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.81 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 129 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,960 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,179 a year
Est. Price
$16,380
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,419 kWh
Est. monthly savings $98
Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.37 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 155 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 8,352 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,375 a year
Est. Price
$19,110
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 9,823 kWh
Est. monthly savings $115
Full payback in 13 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.94 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 181 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 9,744 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,572 a year
Est. Price
$21,840
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,226 kWh
Est. monthly savings $124
Full payback in 15 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.26 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 196 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,544 mi less a year
Scott County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Rural small business and farm owners might benefit from the REAP Grant, which could cover 80% to 100% of their solar energy or wind energy installation expenses. Curious if you fall into this category? Confirm your eligibility with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
With the availability of a 30% federal income tax credit, solar energy becomes a feasible solution for most homeowners, particularly in numerous parts of the country. A number of state and local programs are set up to increase the adoption of solar energy.
In Iowa, 9 solar rebates and incentives are currently available from different utilities and government agencies.
Solar incentives in IAIncentive Description Value
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.
Waverly Light & Power - Residential Solar Thermal Rebates
Value:Up to $3,500
Residential Waverly Light and Power customers may be entitled to a one-time rebate on new solar water heaters. Rebate awards are contingent upon the property owner obtaining necessary permits from their county and installing the system through a participating contractor. Each address, rather than each homeowner, may only receive one rebate. As funding for the rebate program is limited each year, applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested customers may apply or find more information on the WL&P 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.
Waverly Light & Power - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebates
Value:Varies
Residential Waverly Light and Power customers may be entitled to a variety of rebates on energy efficient projects and equipment. Qualifying projects and programs change from time to time. Current offers include rebates on water heaters, heat pumps, insulation, central HVAC, and some home appliances. Some weatherization projects may be completed at no expense to the homeowner. Additional information is available through the WL&P website.
City of Dubuque - Solar Thermal Licensing Requirement
Value:Varies
Solar contractors intending to install a thermal system on Dubuque property must obtain a specialized license from the city in addition to state contracting licenses, journeymen's permits, or applicable municipal building permits. PV systems do not need a Dubuque license. The simplest qualification for most contractors is a minimum NABCEP Solar Thermal certification. Alternatively, installation workers may complete vocational education from Northeast IA Community College. Additional information is available on the Dubuque city 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.
Ames Electric Department - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Programs
Value:Varies
Ames residents looking to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy equipment may be entitled to a variety of financial incentives from the city's municipal utility. Qualifying projects and programs will vary over time. Current rebate offers include central HVAC with load control and ENERGY STAR certified home appliances. An additional program incentivizes new home construction that considers ENERGY STAR building standards. Interested homeowners may schedule a free in-home energy efficiency audit with an Ames Electric Services representative. At the time of the audit, the representative may provide equipment to immediately improve home efficiency, including LED bulbs or pipe insulation. Additional information is available from the Ames city 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 Scott County, IA?
If you're intending to reside in your home past the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a good decision in Scott County. If you install a 5 kW solar system in Scott County, IA, you might save $16,021.2 over 20 years on average, with a break even point at approximately 9 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Scott County, IA
Opting not to have solar panels or a separate backup energy solution results in you missing out on the savings noted earlier and leaves you fully reliant on your electric utility for electricity. As shown by recent news stories, total reliance on your utility company is not always ideal.
Yearly, customers in Scott County deal with about 0.92 outages. On average, each outage lasts for 95.62 minutes. Major events like winter storms, overloaded power grids, or wildlife damage can considerably extend these durations.
View the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Scott County.
Regardless of whether a backup battery is present, a solar panel system could reduce the impact of future power outages you might face.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Scott County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Scott County, IA?
Your Energy Needs - With larger solar panel systems, the cost per watt decreases, despite the greater upfront expense. Many consumers realize it's a great idea to install a solar system that can make enough power to replace their electric bill, because it helps them reduce costs.
Make & Model - Just like other products, solar panels come in a variety of makes and models. The brand preferences of your chosen installer can make it crucial to select a highly rated company. The utilization of high-quality models is expected to provide a more satisfactory long-term experience for buyers.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have become the industry standard, and for valid reasons. Despite the higher price tag, these panels provide greater energy output. The majority of installation experts use panels constructed from this material.
Your Property - Things like rough terrain, trees, or other challenges may cause the installation to be more difficult. With the use of satellite images, the majority of solar installers nowadays can assess your home and incorporate these considerations into the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The wages that companies offer their employees are different, and these expenses are inevitably reflected in consumer prices. Companies paying higher wages usually garner better reviews for their services and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility level interconnection fees change by area and will affect your final install price. That said, reputable local installers will be able to build these numbers into your first quotes so there are no surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Scott County cities
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Scott County, IA Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As of November, 2024, the average solar panel installation cost in Scott County, IA has reached $3.9/W. Post federal tax credit, a 5 kW solar panel system installation in Scott County, IA will roughly cost $13,650.
If you live in Iowa, you can find 9 rebates and incentives through different utilities and government agencies. In addition, the 30% federal income tax credit is available to almost everyone.
Even though cash payments offer the greatest savings, several financing options for solar panels today are also cost-effective. Many installers collaborate with financing partners and will provide this information in your initial quotes.
Yes, the typical payback time for 5 kW solar panel systems in Scott County, IA is 9 years, and the expected electricity cost savings over 20 years is $16,021.2.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
