15 Best Solar Companies in Berkeley, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Berkeley based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Berkeley, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Berkeley homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Updated February 01, 2024
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Best Solar Companies in Berkeley
If you’re trying to find the best solar companies in Berkeley, combing through all the options can be challenging, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many great perks. Fortunately, Berkeley residents have access to tons of the best solar companies in the country, providing exceptional value for generating clean energy.
If you’re thinking about going solar, the first step to take is to find the best solar companies in Berkeley and compare quotes. That’s why we did the hard work and made a list of the best solar companies so you don’t have to.Continue reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected to a certified solar company in your area right away 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 Berkeley
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
YellowLite
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- EV Charger
- Residential Panels
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Permit Assistance
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
- EV Charger
- Tesla Powerwall
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
Windfree Solar Co
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Energy Efficiency Audit
- Commercial Panels
- Battery Storage
Reficiency Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- EV Charger
FreeWorld Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
RxSun
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Maintenance
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Full-Service
Windy City Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Maintenance
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Green Power Works Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Berkeley
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Berkeley 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 Berkeley
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 Berkeley
We know that for lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar comes down to installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, and your roof configuration, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can generate.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their overall solar costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $13,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your household uses on average and the greater your current power bills are, the more benefits you’ll see from going solar.
Though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the size of your house and incentives.
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Solar Incentives in Berkeley
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make solar power more affordable and accessible.Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Berkeley
Lots of people want to do what they can to help the planet, which often is the prime motivation to install a solar system.But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? If your home uses a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar energy.Though solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by greatly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Berkeley, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll most likely recognize that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
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 Berkeley, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
In Berkeley, SunPower by Sun N Us is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your roof.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a significant upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on how many watts of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.