CB SOLAR INC Review 2024 - Is The Price Right?

Installer
Installing solar since 2013
8.0
(Expert Rating Score)

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Updated on 2023-05-22

CB Solar Inc. Overview

CB Solar has been providing affordable and reliable photovoltaic systems to residents and businesses across Iowa since 2013. By using a large variety of suppliers and brands, the company works to ensure its customers get the most cost-effective installation for their property, while ensuring superior customer service. 

The company is proud to be locally owned and operated by a team of engineering graduates from Iowa State University, and boasts the installation of four of the ten largest solar projects in the state of Iowa. CB Solar has designed and deployed systems of varying sizes and complexities, ranging from farmhouses and to barns, to office spaces and apartments. 

 

CB Solar Services and Specifics

CB Solar Products

CB Solar’s services cover a range of properties – including residential, commercial, and agricultural – across the state of Iowa. Each solar energy system is designed with the specific location and income bracket in mind, ranging from 3.5kW roof-mounted systems to larger 60kW arrays that power entire farms. This range in systems is reflected in the variety of brands and parts they use, including:

 

SolarEdge Solar Panels

SolarEdge solar panels are equipped with the company’s own Power Optimizers that are specifically designed for maximum energy production, easy installation, and easier servicing over the lifetime of the system. The company combines its industry leading DC optimization technology with enhanced module performance to ensure that users receive maximum module output.  

 

EnPhase Solar Panels

EnPhase Energy is an energy technology company and one of the world’s largest suppliers of micro-inverter based solar systems. The Enphase Energy IQ systems is the company’s most popular line, providing users with an all-in-one solar, battery, and software solution that can be controlled via their state of the art mobile application, which has been deployed in over 130 countries worldwide. 

 

Panasonic Solar Panels

Panasonic solar panels have been around since 1975, and is one of the most recognizable names in the solar industry. The company specializes in creating the half-cut HIT Module solar cell which is used in their newest line of solar panels, the EverVolt series. 

 

Specific Types of Solar Offered

CB Solar only provides grid-tied solutions, which is more cost effective and provides users with the additional advantage of selling excess energy back to the utility provider in a process known as net-metering. 

CB Solar promises a turnkey installation process, meaning they’ll be with you every step of the way – from their free initial consultation through designing the system and even helping with the applications and permits necessary for your installation.

 

Installation costs and process

Costs

The average cost of solar panels in Iowa is between $3.10 and $4.50 per watt. This means that a solar system that is 5 kilowatts in size would generally cost between $14,000 – $21,500 to install. CB Solar does not advertise a specific cost for its solar installation since its system’s costs vary depending on factors such as the design, size, and materials used.

Promising a cost-effective solution is a tall order, but according to CB Solar’s customers, they absolutely deliver on this front, without skimping on quality. CB Solar promises competitive pricing and a return on the investment in as little as five years, with several customers reporting that their panels are turning out more power than they can use.

 

Here’s an example of one of their reviews: 

“Had CB out for a quote after having a national company quote us. CBs quote was much lower for a very similar system. Great communication from start to finish. Have had our system since Sept of 2021 and have been very happy with it. Had one inverter issue and they quickly replaced it. They told us our system would produce 7.3MWh and in 2022 it produced 8.16MWh, so their estimate was lower than actual. We got the all black Silfab panels and are happy with the look & fit compared to the larger traditional panels.”
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The team at CB Solar also offers to help its customers finance their installation; however, they will need to complete a consultation in order to provide their recommendations of the best solution available. Residents of Iowa can also take advantage of the Federal Tax incentives available to them, which allows up to 26% of the cost of their solar system to be reclaimed, helping to offset the cost of transitioning to solar. 

Based on the customer reviews, it seems like CB Solar’s key competitive advantage is their pricing structure. While cheaper solar options often come at the expense of quality, CB Solar seems to have struck the perfect balance between the two, leaving most of their customers satisfied on both fronts. 

 

Legitimacy

CB Solar is a legitimate company. Below are some key facts to support its legitimacy:

CB Solar was founded in 2013 and is a licensed solar installer in the state of Iowa. 
The company is Accredited with the Better Business Bureau since 2019, with a solid A+ rating.
CB Solar has completed over five hundred projects, totalling a massive 16MW since their founding.
The company has several well-known partnerships with brands such as SolarEdge, SMA America, and Solar World, among others. 
CB Solar is owned by Tyler Bacon, who leads the management team made up of local Engineering graduates of Iowa State University. 
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Awards and Accreditation

  • CB Solar has consistently ranked as one of Solar Power World’s top solar contractors since 2014.
  • The company is a member of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Though sparse, CB Solar’s reviews are consistently five-stars with no recorded complaints; impressive for a company that’s been working for almost a decade. In addition to their accolades, every member of CB Solar’s upper management boasts at least a decade’s worth of electrical engineering, retail management, or sales experience.

 

Maintenance

CB Solar promises that the equipment used in its systems are maintenance-free, but it does come with a 12-year Manufacturer’s Warranty on all parts used, and a 30-year Power Production Warranty. The company also provides a 5-year workmanship warranty. 

It should be noted that the manufacturer and workmanship warranties cover a notably shorter period than most competitors who typically offer 25 and 10 year warranties, respectively. 

Based on previous customer reviews, there is no information relating to CB Solar’s maintenance processes; however, several customers do mention that their systems are still working perfectly years after the initial installation. 

Key Points
Solar Panel Warranty 12 Years
Workmanship Warranty 5 Years
Power Production Guarantee Yes
In-house contractors Unspecified
Free Consultation Yes
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The SolarEmpower View

Despite an understated online presence, CB Solar has made a name for itself as one of Iowa’s best and brightest when it comes to solar energy systems. With high-quality yet affordable installation, customers are guaranteed a significant return on their investment. The only area that we feel that the company could improve upon is its warranties, which are slightly lower than many of its competitors. Aside from that, CB Solar is a worthy option to consider for customers seeking solar in Iowa. 

 

💲Cost: 8/10 ✅Legitimacy: 9/10
⭐️Quality: 9/10 📞Customer Service: 7/10
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Service Types

Solar Panel Installation

FAQ

Is solar in Iowa worth it?

Yes, going solar in Iowa can allow customers to offset a large portion of their electricity bills and even eliminate them entirely, through net metering and Federal Tax Credits.

What are CB Solar’s service areas?

CB Solar provides its services across the entire state of Iowa, as well as in parts of Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

What is the lifespan of a CB Solar system?

The company claims that its systems have a lifespan of 30-40 years.

CB SOLAR INC Solar Details

Established
2013
Licensing Information

IA

Contact
Headquarters
5425 Lower Beaver Rd
Des Moines, IA
50310
(515)-331-4200
8.9

CB SOLAR INC User Reviews

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Michael Shepard
Michael Shepard
February 28, 2023
Had CB out for a…
Had CB out for a quote after having a national company quote us. CBs quote was much lower for a very similar system. Great communication from start to finish. Have had our system since Sept of 2021 and have been very happy with it. Had one inverter issue and they quickly replaced it. They told us our system would produce 7.3MWh and in 2022 it produced 8.16MWh, so their estimate was lower than actual. We got the all black Silfab panels and are happy with the look & fit compared to the larger traditional panels.
Max Miller
Max Miller
February 9, 2023
More than pleased with the…
More than pleased with the service provided by CB Solar. They handled everything- permits, credit applications, etc. Answered all my questions and installation was timely
Mitch Annan
Mitch Annan
January 30, 2023
NOT TO BE TRUSTED! I…
NOT TO BE TRUSTED! I was told by CB Solar my power would be net metered. After it was installed and we paid for the system, turns out that was a lie. We would have never put in solar but we based it on the sheets they gave us which were false.
John Recker
John Recker
April 26, 2022
Great experience and would most…
Great experience and would most definitely recommend. Our monthly electric costs have gone down significantly since we've had our panels installed.
Chriss Barck
Chriss Barck
April 24, 2022
Why would you use anyone…
Why would you use anyone but CB Solar for your install??
they were very professional, helpful and on the job within a few weeks.
Their prices for system is the lowest out there. They stand behind their products 100%.
lakes autosport
lakes autosport
April 22, 2022
They installed our solar several…
They installed our solar several years ago and it has worked flawlessly. The paper work was all done expertly and without issue. Highly recommend!!
william lewis
william lewis
April 21, 2022
works great…
works great

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