8 Best Solar Companies in Auburn, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 8 in Auburn based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Auburn, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Auburn homeowner saves $1,274/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Auburn
If you’re a home or business owner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Auburn, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which company to go with. But, it's worth it since adopting solar power is typically a good idea. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can greatly offset your electricity bill each month, if not completely eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $15,000 of savings over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can change a lot according to your home’s infrastructure and your overall energy requirements.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Auburn solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Auburn
Route 66 Solar
Clear Pricing Policy- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
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
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
EFS Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
IQ Group Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
Skydrop Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
SunSent Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
BKJ Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Route 66 Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Auburn
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Auburn 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 Auburn
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 Auburn
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you will first need to pay to install your system.There are quite a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine costs and your potential savings, including:
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you buy will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Auburn gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Auburn uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
- Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your energy bills, which can give you an average of $15,000 of savings over 20 years.
Because of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Auburn
Since solar power is more sustainable than burning fossil fuels, there are some government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch.You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also possibly stack the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Auburn
One of the reasons so many people are thinking of going solar is to help lower their environmental impact.You may be asking yourself – how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? In Auburn, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a huge impact on the Earth since solar power is a renewable source of energy.In Auburn, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year once they go solar. Since energy from the sun is renewable and produces electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
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 Auburn, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Auburn is Route 66 Solar, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What are some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
The advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, entirely eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and lower your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a large 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 how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners going solar, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.