15 Best Solar Companies in Cortland, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Cortland based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Cortland, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Cortland homeowner saves $1,114/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Cortland
Do you want energy freedom in Cortland? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding investment since there are a lot of benefits when you go solar. Solar power isn't just good for the environment — your finances will thank you too. Once you switch to solar power, you can save an average of $13,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
There are tons of installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Cortland.We suggest shopping around for quite a few quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To get free quotes from the best solar installers in Cortland, click the link 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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Cortland
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
YellowLite
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Greenlink Energy Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
ilumen Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Iconic Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Reficiency Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Independence Renewable Energy, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
CF Solar Power
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Safeguard Solar LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Certasun
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Cortland
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Cortland 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 Cortland
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 Cortland
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs above all.Some significant things that affect the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- The amount of sunlight your house gets: Because of Cortland’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your energy bills.
- Your income and budget: This affects what type of solar panels you can purchase.
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar system this year can save 0 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.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be too steep of an option for families that don’t need a good amount of energy each month.
Solar is a rewarding investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and make use of solar incentives, all while helping the Earth.
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Solar Incentives in Cortland
There are many good reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them includes some government incentives you can take advantage of.These incentives typically consist of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower the cost you pay for going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. Our article on solar incentives goes over more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in Cortland.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Cortland
Many want to do what they can to help save the planet, which often is the chief reason they’re interested in installing solar panels.You may be trying to figure out – how much does going solar help the environment anyway? In Cortland, where the energy generation can be rather dirty, going solar can have a significant effect on the Earth since solar power has a lower carbon footprint.In Cortland, the average homeowner can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. For people who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Cortland, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Cortland?
The top local solar company in Cortland is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 18.9 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
What are the different kinds of solar panels?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. As for efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by the layout of your roof, how much you're willing to spend and how much energy generation you want.
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.