13 Best Solar Companies in Central, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Central based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Central, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Central homeowner saves $1,457/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Central
When deciding on the best solar panel installers, Central homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be a lot to consider, but we're here to make switching to solar power less confusing. Since Central is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're looking into installing solar panels.
If you want to start taking advantage of the many perks of solar, we'll help you narrow down your options to find the Central solar installer that's the right price for you. To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Central, click the "get quote" 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 Central
Average Cost
SunPower
-
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
Joe's Electric, Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Route 66 Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Purcell Electric Company Inc
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
Vista Energy Renewables
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Day & Night Solar
- 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
Pyramid Electrical Contractors, Inc.
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
PricingUtilities
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Central
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Central 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 Central
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 Central
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners care about the costs the most. There are quite a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to figure out the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:
- Your city: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Your income and budget: This guides what model of solar panels you can buy.
- 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 power bills, which can result in an average of $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be a high-cost investment for families that don't use too much energy a month.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own electricity instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar incentives and rebates, all while helping protect the environment.
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Solar Incentives in Central
Because solar power is better for the environment than fossil fuels, there are various government incentives available to encourage its adoption. Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in Central.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Central
There are many reasons to make the switch to solar energy, like saving money on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint. But — how much exactly can you help the environment by going solar? Regardless of your location, you can help protect the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume lots of energy will have a greater impact. Since solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they're a good trade for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other rewards outside of saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the planet too.
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 Central, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar company in Central?
The best local solar company in Central is Mobius Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are a few of the major pros and cons of switching to solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it's environmentally friendly, and it gives you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels can be an eyesore.
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 range of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Usually, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, which means they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.
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.