7 Best Solar Companies in Blackhawk, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 7 in Blackhawk based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Blackhawk, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Blackhawk homeowner saves $981/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Blackhawk
Finding the right solar panel installation company for your house is an important decision, but it's one that can save you a lot of money in Blackhawk. On average, you can save $12,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be even more than that overall.
In this article, we’ll give you a list of the top Blackhawk solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s clean energy needs.For an idea of how much you might pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Blackhawk by clicking 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 Blackhawk
Iowa Solar
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Skilled Repairs- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Quad City Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Solar Grids Quad Cities
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Century Electric & Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
True Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
ECG Solar Iowa
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- System Decommissioning
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Iowa Solar Pros
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Blackhawk
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Blackhawk 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 Blackhawk
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 Blackhawk
The cost of installing solar panels has dropped immensely in the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.Some significant things that influence the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- How much energy costs for you: The average household in Blackhawk shells out around $840 a year on electricity alone, so you could gain that much in savings.
- 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 incentives and rebates that you can take advantage of. In addition, you can save about $12,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- The kind of solar panel system you have the money for: This depends on how much you’re willing to spend upfront.
- How much energy your home consumes: Households that use lots of energy each month may require more solar panels and, consequently, be more expensive, but will also benefit more over time.
Though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the size of your house and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in Blackhawk
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is earning incentives from the government.Local solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. You can find out about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Blackhawk
If you’re considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to reduce your reliance on nonrenewable energy.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Blackhawk, though. No matter where you are, you can help protect the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume more energy will have a greater impact.In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. For those who are worried about 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 Blackhawk, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in Blackhawk?
In Blackhawk, Iowa Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, entirely cut your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save as much 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 can be a good investment for most homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on the amount of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average house 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.