12 Best Solar Companies in Charleston, IL (Jan 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Charleston based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Charleston
Looking to go solar but not sure which company would be best for your needs? Although it can be challenging to pick a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many fantastic benefits. While solar power is a large investment, you'll be able to make the cost back and then some, all while living more sustainably. In fact, you could look forward to saving about $16,000 over 20 years.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Charleston, you'll find that there are a lot of providers to choose between. So, we've put together an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area. To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Charleston, click 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 (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Charleston

Mobius Solar
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Route 66 Solar
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Family owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Ryan Electrical Solutions
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Family owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

Ruby Electric Inc.
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Locally owned and operated
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

EFS Energy Inc
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

Emergent Solar Energy
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Atomic Electric and Solar
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Locally owned and operated
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

StraightUp Solar
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Excellent reputation
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Joe's Electric, Inc
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

AMS INC.
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Family owned and operated
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

New Prairie Construction Company
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Charleston
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners care about the costs the most. The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind 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 opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be too pricey an investment for families that don't need a good amount of energy per month.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 30% of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $16,000 over 20 years with your solar system, too.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Charleston gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
Though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and incentives.
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Solar Incentives in Charleston
If you're planning on switching to solar power, a number of government incentives and subsidies can dramatically lower the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment. There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you anywhere from 30% to 50% of your money in return after buying solar panels. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can find in Charleston.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Charleston
If you're thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to lower your reliance on nonrenewable energy. But — how much exactly can you help the planet by making the switch to solar? No matter where you are, you can help save the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume lots of energy will have a bigger impact. Since solar panels don't release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good alternative to nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. Since solar power is abundant and produces electricity without a carbon footprint, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
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 (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's Charleston, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
In Charleston, Mobius Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of 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 pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
Most of the time, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning 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.