15 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, IL (2025 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Columbia based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Columbia, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Columbia homeowner saves $1,312/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Columbia
Searching for the top solar companies in Columbia? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting venture that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Solar power isn't just good for the Earth — your finances will benefit too. Once you switch to solar power, you can save an average of $16,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
There are lots of installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Columbia.To get an idea of what it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Columbia
Astrawatt Solar
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Permit Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Streib Company
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
StraightUp Solar of St. Louis
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
SunSent Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
Route 66 Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
EFS Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Helio Solar Power, LLC.
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Carports
- Panel Installation
Solar city stl
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Pyramid Electrical Contractors, Inc.
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Solar Luxury LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Skilled Repairs
Sustainable Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
BKJ Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
AKA Solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Purelight Power of St. Louis
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
five stars electric and solar LLC
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Columbia
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Columbia 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 Columbia
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 Columbia
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar installer to choose depends on how much it’ll cost.Some important things that affect the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Typical energy usage: The more power your household consumes on average and the higher your current electricity bills are, the more money you could save by going solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, lets you deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive 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.
- Your location: This affects how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
Solar is a fruitful investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and make use of solar incentives, all while helping preserve the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Columbia
Although a solar power system is typically a large investment, it can save you much money over several years because of smaller power bills and government incentives.Regardless of 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 your project costs when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives you can benefit from too. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Columbia
One of the most compelling reasons to switch to solar power is to minimize your dependence on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment.Something many might be asking themselves is how much can they really help preserve the environment by switching to solar power anyway? In a place like Columbia where commute times can be pretty long, going solar can help offset some of your carbon dioxide emissions from being on the road a lot.If you go solar, your carbon footprint can be cut by about 100 pounds each year. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other benefits outside of saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the planet too.
EcoWatch's Columbia, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
In Columbia, Astrawatt 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 add solar panels to your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 16.0 years, but the exact period varies depending on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.