15 Best Solar Companies in Central, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Central based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Central, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Central homeowner saves $1,457/year with solar panels
Updated February 01, 2024
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Central
When choosing between the best solar panel installers, Central homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be mind-boggling, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar energy less confusing. Solar panels can be expensive, but adopting solar will save you money on your power bills over many years. In fact, you can potentially save about $17,000 over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can change substantially based on your home’s layout and your overall energy requirements.To help you know if solar panels are something you should get for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Central by clicking the button below.
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 Central
Route 66 Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Energy Efficiency Audit
Purcell Electric Company Inc
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Skilled Repairs
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
- Emergency Services
- Maintenance
Astrawatt Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
StraightUp Solar of St. Louis
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- EV Charger
- Battery Storage
- Commercial Panels
- Tesla Powerwall
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
Streib Company
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
- Full-Service
Pyramid Electrical Contractors, Inc.
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Emergency Services
- Full-Service
- EV Charger
- Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Commercial Panels
SunSent Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance
- Residential Panels
EFS Energy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Maintenance
- Consultation
Tick Tock Energy, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Emergency Services
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Community Solar Projects
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
five stars electric and solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
Helio Solar Power, LLC.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Maintenance
- Solar Carports
- Residential Panels
BKJ Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
Solar Luxury LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Skilled Repairs
- System Decommissioning
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Sonne Energy Solutions, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
- Commercial Panels
Solar city stl
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Commercial Panels
- Consultation
- Maintenance
- Residential Panels
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Central
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Central 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 Central
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 Central
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners care about the costs above all.There are quite a few factors you should consider when determining the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:
- Your energy bills: This will impact how much you can save. In Central, the average resident can save about $850 a year on their electricity bills.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to reduce your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have various incentives that you can use. Plus, you can save about $17,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- How much electricity your home consumes: Homes that use plenty of power each month may call for more solar panels and, therefore, more upfront cost, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: This, along with your roof configuration, affects affect how much power your solar panels can make.
Although a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the size of your solar panel system and incentives.
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Solar Incentives in Central
There are many reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them involves some government incentives you can take advantage of.On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local benefits, which in most cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Our article on solar incentives goes over more information on the incentives you can benefit from in Central.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Central
Switching to solar energy can have a meaningful impact on the environment.Something many might be thinking about is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? A key thing to keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if your commute is very long, your footprint may be larger, so adopting solar energy for your home can help offset that.In Central, the average resident can reduce their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you’ll no doubt understand that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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 Central, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Central is Route 66 Solar, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What are some of the main pros and cons of switching to solar?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, entirely erase your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and lower your carbon footprint. The greatest 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 for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 14.4 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the best time is actually winter. You can save money since there's less demand during the winter months, and it allows you to be up and running with solar for the higher power bills you may get during the summer.
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.