7 Best Solar Companies in Salem, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 7 in Salem based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Salem, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Salem homeowner saves $1,292/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Salem
Looking to go solar but still deciding on which solar panel installer would be the best one for you? Although it can be challenging to find a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many good benefits. On average, your family can save $15,000 over 20 years when you use solar power. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be even higher overall.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in Salem, you might notice that there are a large number of providers to choose from. So, we’ve accumulated an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To get free quotes from the top solar companies in Salem, click the "get quote" 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 Salem
Purcell Electric Company Inc
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Skilled Repairs- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Route 66 Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
AES Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Tick Tock Energy, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Sonne Energy Solutions, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Pyramid Electrical Contractors, Inc.
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
StraightUp Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Salem
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Salem 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 Salem
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 Salem
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has gone down greatly over the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.Some important factors that affect how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Your income and budget: This affects what type of solar panels you can afford.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, lets you deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Salem uses a decent amount of, and consequently may save on their energy bills.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Salem 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 you can save on your energy bills.
There are many good benefits of solar despite the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your finances. Additionally, it can boost the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
Use the calculator below to see how much switching to solar could affect the Earth and your savings account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Salem, IL.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.
Solar Incentives in Salem
Switching to solar power has plenty of wonderful benefits. Not only can it help protect the environment, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives.Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 0 of your project costs when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Additionally, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Salem.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Salem
There are a few key reasons why many people are considering solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet.Something many people might be wondering about is how much can they really help protect the environment by going solar anyway? In a city like Salem where commute times can be long sometimes, using solar power can help help reduce the carbon footprint of driving a lot.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. The advantages of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with using solar energy.
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 Salem, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Salem?
In Salem, Purcell Electric Company Inc is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your electricity bills, it’s a sustainable source of energy, and it provides a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, the startup costs are high and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels call for a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
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 the layout of your roof, your budget and desired energy output.
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.