Solar Panels Cost $0k-$0k in Shelby County, IA | November, 2024
High Power Bills?
Reduce or replace your electricity bill with solar
No data available
How much do solar panels cost in Shelby County, IA in 2024?
No data available
Having solar panels installed averages out to $0/W in November, 2024 in Shelby County, IA.
Or in other words, for every 1000 watts (or 1 Kw) your system can generate you will spend $0 to get your system installed in . Applying the 30% federal tax credit, the average expense for a 5 kW solar system in Shelby County is about $0. Don't forget, a more powerful system could be necessary to meet your energy needs.
To the left, you can choose your county to determine the average roof size and the maximum capacity of solar panel systems for houses in your area. Below, you'll see a detailed summary of the costs, payback period, and 20-year typical 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.
Shelby County: $0US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Shelby County: 0 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Shelby County: $45,744US Average: $16,169
Solar Potential in Shelby County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Shelby County.
Roof size 661sq. ft.
Capacity 9.25kW DC
Electricity 10.9kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Shelby County, IA & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
An energy consumer in Shelby County typically uses 1,348 kWh per month, leading to an average electric bill of 190.60. These figures also cover apartments and other smaller homes with less energy demand.
For November 2024, Shelby County, IA's mean electricity rate is 14.13¢ per kWh.
After incentives, an 11 kW setup costs around $0.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Shelby County
Presented on the left and below is the pricing structure for various sizes of the solar panel systems installed in Shelby County. The more extensive the solar array, the higher the initial expense, but also the more considerable electricity savings and income tax credits you'll get.
The calculator to the right and below provides a detailed summary of solar panel costs and benefits, based on an average electric bill of $190.60 in Shelby County. By modifying the $190.60 to your usual electricity bill, you can get customized results.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,459 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,422 kWh
Est. monthly savings $122
Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.71 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 124 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,710 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,668 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,911 kWh
Est. monthly savings $139
Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.1 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 142 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 7,668 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,876 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 9kWthis system
Est. yearly production 13,400 kWh
Est. monthly savings $156
Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.49 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 160 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 8,627 mi less a year
System Size 10kW
Roof Size Min. space required
715 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,084 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 10kWthis system
Est. yearly production 14,889 kWh
Est. monthly savings $174
Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.87 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 178 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 9,585 mi less a year
System Size 11kW
Roof Size Min. space required
787 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $2,293 a year
Est. Price
$0
Savings from a 11kWthis system
Est. yearly production 16,377 kWh
Est. monthly savings $191
Full payback in 0 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.26 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 196 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,540 mi less a year
Shelby County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2024
Rural small business owners and farmers could receive REAP Grant funding covering between 80% and 100% of their solar energy or wind turbine installation costs. Believe you fall into this category? Verify your qualification with our REAP Grant eligibility tool.
Nearly all residents can qualify for a 30% federal income tax credit for residential solar, which makes it a sensible option in various areas of the United States. On top of that, there are various state and local incentives to further encourage the adoption of solar energy.
Multiple utilities and government agencies in Iowa provide 9 solar rebate and incentive initiatives.
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 Shelby County, IA?
For those looking to stay in their home past the solar system's payback period, solar panels are a wise investment in Shelby County. In Shelby County, IA, a 5 kW solar system installation might save you $45,744 on average over 20 years, with a usual break even point of 0 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Shelby County, IA
If you don't have solar panels or an alternate backup power source, you miss out on the aforementioned savings and your household is completely dependent on your electric utility for electricity. Recent news reports have shown that total reliance on your utility is not always the best situation.
Shelby County utilities have averaged 0.9 outages per customer per year in recent times. On average, the length of an outage is 93.12 minutes. Major events like wildlife damage, overloaded power grids or hurricanes can cause these durations to rise considerably.
See the component below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Shelby County.
A solar panel system could lessen the burden of future outages, even if it is without a backup battery.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Shelby County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Shelby County, IA?
Your Energy Needs - Investing in larger solar panel systems costs more upfront, but the price per watt is decreased as the system size expands. Many consumers realize it's a smart idea to install a solar system that can generate enough power to fully cover their electric bill, because it helps them reduce costs.
Make & Model - Similar to many other products, there are different makes and models of solar panels to choose from. The installer’s preference for brand makes it essential to select a reputable company. Choosing better quality materials usually ensures a more favorable long-term experience for the buyer.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have established themselves as the industry standard, and for good reasons. Although they are pricier, they generate increased energy. Most installers use panels constructed from this material.
Your Property - Every home and property differs in its own way. Challenges like trees, irregular terrain, or other impediments can increase the difficulty of installing solar panels. Solar installers currently commonly use satellite imagery to assess your home and include these considerations into the preliminary cost estimate.
Labor Rates - The differing wages that companies give their employees result in costs that are inevitably passed on to consumers. It is typical for companies that offer higher wages to get better reviews for their services and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - The fees for local permitting and utility interconnection, which vary by area, will influence the cost of your installation. Reliable installers will factor these costs into your first quotes to prevent unexpected expenses.
See what solar panels cost in other Shelby County cities
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Who are the best solar installers in Shelby County?
Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
Consulting on all things solar related.
Shelby County, IA Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As of November, 2024, the average solar panel installation cost in Shelby County, IA has reached $0/W. With the federal tax credit, the cost of a 5 kW solar panel system in Shelby County, IA drops to roughly $0.
There are 9 rebates and incentives available in Iowa from a range of utility providers and government organizations. On top of that, nearly everyone can qualify for the 30% federal tax credit.
While paying cash ensures the most savings, numerous financing options for solar panels exist that also are financially sensible. Financing options are often provided by installers and may be included in your initial quotes.
Yes, the average time to recoup the cost of 5 kW solar panels in Shelby County, IA is 0 years, with homeowners saving an average of $45,744 on electricity over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
