10 Best Solar Companies in Capital, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in Capital based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Capital, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Capital homeowner saves $1,360/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Capital
Hoping to go solar but want to know which solar panel installer would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be hard to pick a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many fantastic benefits. One of the main reasons those residing in Capital, where the average energy bill is pretty high, consider going solar is to reduce their monthly expenses.
Here, we’ll make a list of some of the top solar companies in Capital to make your choice a little easier.To get an estimate of what it might cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Capital
Sunrun Solar
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Route 66 Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
- Financing Assistance
WindSolarUSA, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
Skydrop Energy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
EFS Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
IQ Group Inc
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
StraightUp Solar of Bloomington
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
SunSent Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Halo Solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Capital
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Capital based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Capital
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Illinois solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Capital
We know that for lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar highly depends on installation costs.A few key factors that determine the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too pricey an option for families that don’t need too much energy each month.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Capital gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your electricity bills will be.
- Your income and budget: This determines what type of solar panels you can purchase.
So are solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to lower your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Capital homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Capital
If you’re planning on making the switch to solar energy, a variety of government incentives and subsidies can greatly lower the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment.In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can benefit from in Capital.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Capital
There are a few big reasons why many people are interested in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet.Something many people might be thinking about is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? As reported by the EPA, electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help put a dent in that statistic in a city like Capital that accounts for a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.Because solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they’re a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. For people who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Capital, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installer in Capital?
The highest-rated local solar company in Capital is Sunrun Solar, with a rating of 4.70 stars.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, 100% eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 15.5 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What are the different kinds of solar panels?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. As for efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by your roof configuration, how much you're willing to spend and how much efficiency you're looking for.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.