7 Best Solar Companies in Champaign, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 7 in Champaign based on:
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Customer review scores - Service area for Champaign, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Champaign homeowner saves $1,124/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in Champaign
As a homeowner or business owner in Champaign, you may be considering switching to solar energy and curious about the best solar companies in your city. Solar could be a good choice since it has a lot of perks. You may have to spend a decent amount of money upfront for solar panels, but switching to solar will save you money on your utility bills over many years. In fact, you can expect to save about $13,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we'll help you narrow in on the best options in your area. If you want to receive free, no-obligation quotes from the top Champaign solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Champaign
SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC
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Informative Resources - Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Tailored solutions - Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
New Prairie Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Harvest Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Sunsent Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Springfield Electric Supply Company
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
StraightUp Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Accutek Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Champaign
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Champaign 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 Champaign
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 Champaign
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs above all. Some important things that determine the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Champaign uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their total solar spend by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $13,000 on your utility bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Your home's power bills: Based on the high monthly electricity bills in Champaign, you could save about $890 a year with solar.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar system won't be able to produce as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electricity bills than a house with a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
Thanks to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for most homeowners.
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Adopting green energy can considerably impact both the environment and your power bills. To see how much, check out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Champaign, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Champaign
If you're planning on making the switch to solar power, various government incentives and solar rebates can greatly bring down the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment. Local solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power systems, 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 Champaign
One of the best reasons to use solar energy is to decrease your reliance on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment. You may be wondering — how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? If your family consumes lots of energy, you can impact the environment even more by switching to solar power. In Champaign, the average person can reduce their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year once they go solar. As you can see, using solar power has so many other benefits beyond saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment too.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Champaign, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installation company in Champaign?
In Champaign, Solar Energy Solutions is the most reputable 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.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. 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.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 13.6 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can't, like on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and desired energy output.
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.