8 Best Solar Companies in Bourbon, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 8 in Bourbon based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Bourbon, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Bourbon homeowner saves $1,341/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Bourbon
Are you looking for energy freedom in Bourbon? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since there are many benefits when you switch to solar power. Solar panels can be expensive, but switching to solar will save you money on your energy bills over time. In fact, you can potentially save about $16,000 over 20 years.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Bourbon, you might notice that there are many providers to choose from. So, we’ve accumulated an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.We advise shopping around for multiple quotes and comparing them to figure out which is the best installer for your home. To get free, no-obligation quotes from the top solar panel companies in Bourbon, click the link 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 Bourbon
SunSent Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
New Prairie Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Harvest Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Tick Tock Energy, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
- Financing Assistance
Sonne Energy Solutions, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Accutek Solar
- Family-Operated Business
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
One Planet Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Bourbon
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Bourbon 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 Bourbon
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 Bourbon
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs above all.The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you buy will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more 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.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: This, plus how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can generate.
- average energy usage: The more power your home uses on average and the larger your current power bills are, the more money you could save by going solar.
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $16,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
There are several good benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your bank account. Plus, it can boost the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Bourbon
Since solar power is better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, there are a number of government incentives available to encourage its adoption.When you install solar panels on your home, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you reduce your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there may often be some state and city incentives that you can use to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can benefit from.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Bourbon
Swapping traditional energy for solar is a profound way to do what you can for a more eco-friendly future.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Bourbon, though. In Bourbon, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a huge impact on the environment since solar power has a lower carbon footprint.Since solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when producing electricity, they’re a good substitute for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. The great things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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 Bourbon, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installation company in Bourbon?
The top local solar company in Bourbon is SunSent Solar, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are a few of the main advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your power bills, it’s environmentally friendly, and it can give you a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 15.7 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How long do solar panels last?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger level of energy production.
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.