13 Best Solar Companies in Effingham, IL (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 13 in Effingham based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Effingham, IL
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Effingham homeowner saves $1,280/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Effingham

Thinking of going solar but want to know which company would be the best one for you? Although it can be hard to choose a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good perks. Plus, forward-thinking government support led to surging numbers of solar companies, setting the groundwork for a sustainable and fruitful future in the state.

There are tons of installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Effingham. To get a sense of what it could cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Effingham

Best National Provider
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

SunPower

  • Pros icon Most efficient panels on the market
  • Pros icon National coverage
  • Pros icon Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Con icon Expensive
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Best Solar Financing
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EcoWatch Rating

4.5/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Blue Raven Solar

  • Pros icon Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Pros icon Competitive pricing
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Doesn't offer solar batteries

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://blueravensolar.com/
Best Warranty Coverage
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Sunpro Solar

  • Pros icon Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.gosunpro.com/
Best for Leasing
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Sunrun

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Many financing options
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.sunrun.com/
Best Social Impact
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Palmetto Solar

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Pros icon Certified B Corp
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs
  • Con icon Quality of installation may vary by location

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
  • Service icon Maintenance & Repairs

Website: https://palmetto.com/
Best Technology
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EcoWatch Rating

3.2/5

Average Cost

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Tesla Energy

  • Pros icon Price-match guarantee
  • Pros icon Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Pros icon Best solar battery on the market
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://www.tesla.com/energy
Best Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Tick Tock Energy, Inc.

  • Pros icon Recognized Excellence
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: http://www.ticktockenergy.com/
Address: Effingham, IL 62401
Phone: 2179949020
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Sonne Energy Solutions, LLC

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon End-to-end services

Website: http://www.sonneenergysolutions.com/
Address: Teutopolis, IL 62467
Phone: 2178648222
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Springfield Electric Supply Company

  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: http://springfieldelectric.com/
Address: Mattoon, IL 61938
Phone: 2172355671
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Wellspring Components LLC

  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: http://www.wellspringsolar.com/
Address: Arthur, IL 61911
Phone: 2172082498
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Purcell Electric Company Inc

  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Skilled repairs

Website: http://purcellelectricco.com/
Address: Salem, IL 62881
Phone: 6185488145
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Sunsent Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: http://www.sunsentsolar.com/
Address: Mt Zion, IL 62549
Phone: 6365157692
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Energy Solutions Retrofit & Installation

  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: https://www.energy-solutions-llc.com/
Address: Taylorville, IL 62568
Phone: 2178209206

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Effingham

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Effingham 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 Effingham


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 Effingham

The cost of putting up solar panels has dropped significantly over the past several years, but it's still a significant investment for most homeowners. Some key factors that affect how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:

  • Your location: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
  • How much you spend on energy: The typical household in Effingham spends around $1,000 a year on energy alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
  • Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be a high-cost investment for families that don't use a good amount of energy each month.
  • Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that's equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your utility bills, which can result in an average of $15,000 of savings over 20 years.

Because of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for most homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Effingham

Adopting solar power has many great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the planet, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. When you install a solar panel system on your home, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently reduces your tax bill by 30% of the cost of your solar panels. Additionally, there may often be some local incentives that you can benefit from to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. You can learn about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Effingham

Lots of people want to do their part to help protect the planet, which for many is the chief motivation to install a solar system. You may be curious — how much do solar panels help the environment anyway? The EPA reports that electricity generation is the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Installing solar panels and switching to renewable energy can help put a dent in that statistic in a city like Effingham that is responsible for a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. While solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by greatly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used traditional energy. In Effingham, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. If you care about the environment, you'll likely understand that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Effingham, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the best solar installation company in Effingham?

The best local solar company in Effingham is Mobius Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?

Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of 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.

How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 11.9 years, but the exact period varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

When should I install solar panels?

Although summer is the most popular time people install solar panels, the perfect time is actually winter. You can save money since there's not as much demand during the winter months, and it allows you to be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.

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.