6 Best Solar Companies in Chatham, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Chatham based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Chatham, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Chatham homeowner saves $1,274/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Chatham
Finding the best solar panel installation company for your house is an important decision, but it's one that can pay off big in Chatham. Luckily, Chatham residents have many of the best solar companies in the nation, which offer outstanding value for generating clean energy.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow in on the top companies in your area.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the top Chatham 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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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 Chatham
Route 66 Solar
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Grid-Tied Solar System- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
- Financing Assistance
WindSolarUSA, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
EFS Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
IQ Group Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Skydrop Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
SunSent Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Chatham
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Chatham 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 Chatham
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 Chatham
We know that for most homeowners, the decision to invest in solar hinges on installation costs.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to reduce your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Additionally, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than someone with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you get will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- How much energy costs for you: The average family in Chatham shells out around $850 a year on electricity alone, so you could gain that much in savings.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to reduce your electricity costs, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Chatham homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Chatham
If you’re thinking about switching to solar energy, various government incentives and tax credits can greatly lower the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment.No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 0 of how much your solar project cost when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in Chatham.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Chatham
Lots of people want to do what they can to help the environment, which for many is the primary reason for installing a solar system.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Chatham, though. An important thing to think about is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute, your footprint may be larger, so adopting solar power for your house can help offset that.Even though solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Chatham, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. If you care about the environment, you’ll no doubt find that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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
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 Chatham, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar installation company in Chatham?
The top local solar company in Chatham is Route 66 Solar, with a rating of 4.90 stars.
What are the major advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your electricity bills, it’s a sustainable source of energy, and it can provide a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a good investment for many 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 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 goes down 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.