14 Best Solar Companies in Carbondale, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Carbondale based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Carbondale, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Carbondale homeowner saves $1,316/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Carbondale
Finding the right solar panel installation company for your roof is a huge decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Carbondale. Plus, the solar industry is thriving in Carbondale, giving homeowners access to some of the best solar panel installers in the country.
In this article, we'll help you narrow in on the best companies in your area. Keep reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected with a vetted solar company near you right away by clicking the button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Carbondale
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
AES Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Fowler Solar Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
StraightUp Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Jackson Solar LLC
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Jackson Solar LLC
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
D&D Electric
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Alcorn Electric LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Tilden Solar Project
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Carbondale
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Carbondale 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 Carbondale
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 Carbondale
The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down significantly over the past few years, but it's still a significant investment for most homeowners. The overall price and potential savings vary depending on some important factors such as:
- average energy usage: The more electricity your household consumes on average and the higher your current electricity bills are, the more benefits you'll see from going solar.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, and how your roof is set up, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can produce.
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their overall solar costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $16,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
As a result of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.
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If you'd like to know how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Carbondale, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Carbondale
Since solar power is better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, there are quite a few government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch. There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn a decent amount of money back after installing solar panels. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Carbondale.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Carbondale
Installing solar panels is a profound way to do your part for a greener future. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? According to the EPA, electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help bring down that number in a city like Carbondale that produces a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Because solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good trade for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll most likely get that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Carbondale, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Carbondale?
The top local solar company in Carbondale is Pink Energy St Louis, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are the biggest pros and cons of switching to solar?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, 100% eradicate your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey 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 call for a considerable upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.