12 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, IL (Feb 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Columbia based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Updated January 20, 2023
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Best solar companies in Columbia
If you're a homeowner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Columbia, it can be difficult to narrow down which installer to go with. But, the hard work is worth it since adopting solar energy is typically a great idea. With high levels of average daily sunlight in Columbia, the solar industry is doing fairly well. An overlooked reason for this growth has been Illinois' statewide incentives that support residential and commercial solar panel installation.
In this article, we'll introduce you to the top Columbia solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home's solar energy needs. To see how much you might pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Columbia by clicking 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 Columbia
Local Service
Mobius Solar
-
Can browse portfolio on website - Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services - Solar Panels
Local Service
Route 66 Solar
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Family owned and operated
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Ryan Electrical Solutions
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Family owned and operated
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Ruby Electric Inc.
- Locally owned and operated
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
EFS Energy Inc
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Pink Energy St Louis
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Statewide Solar
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
Local Service
EFS Energy
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Exceptional Energy Solutions
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Jackson Solar LLC
- Educational sales approach
- Locally owned and operated
- Has an online quote form
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
C.H. Electrical
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Excel Home Solar
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
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 Columbia
For many readers, the decision of which solar company to hire depends on pricing. There are quite a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- average energy usage: The more energy your home consumes on average and the higher your current energy bills are, the more money you could save by making the switch to solar.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Your current electric bills: Solar panels can dramatically lower, or completely get rid of, your utility bills. In Columbia, you can save an average of $83 a month.
- Incentives: One thing that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your energy bills, which can give you an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
There are several great benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your finances. Plus, it can increase the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Columbia
Because solar power is better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, there are several government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch. These incentives mostly take the form of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut how much you end up spending on installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on your location. For more information about local incentives, see our our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia
Going solar can have a positive effect on the environment. But how much can installing solar panels actually affect the environment? In a city like Columbia where energy use is rather high, installing solar panels is a fantastic plan for homeowners who want to do their part for the environment. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. Since solar energy is renewable and generates electricity without releasing carbon emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help 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 Columbia, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in Columbia?
The top local solar company in Columbia is Mobius Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are a few of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of going solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your power bills, it's a sustainable source of energy, and it can provide a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for many homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
In most cases, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the sun's energy 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.