11 Best Solar Companies in Effingham, IL (Aug 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Effingham based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
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Updated 7/19/2022
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Effingham
Thinking of going solar but not sure which solar panel installer would be best for your needs? Although it can be challenging to choose a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great benefits. The average home can save $15,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And since solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, you can save will be even higher overall.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the top options in your area. To help you understand if solar panels are something you should get for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Effingham by clicking the button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Effingham


Nationwide Service
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring


Local Service
StraightUp Solar
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Solar Panels


Local Service
EFS Energy Inc
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Custom system designs
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Regional Service
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
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Industry-leading in-house financing
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Competitive pricing
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Excellent reputation
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Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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System Monitoring


Nationwide Service
Average Cost
The Green Panel
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Price-match guarantee
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Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
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Best solar battery on the market
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Some reported issues with customer service
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Solar Roof Shingles
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System Monitoring


Local Service
Whole Sun Designs, Inc.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Makes charitable contributions
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Regional Service
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
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Industry-leading warranty coverage
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Expansive service area
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Some reported communication issues
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No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Energy-Efficiency Upgrades


Regional Service
Average Cost
Sunrun
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Expansive service area
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Many financing options
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Some reported issues with customer service
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Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Energy-Efficiency Upgrades


Regional Service
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
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Expansive service area
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Makes charitable contributions
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Certified B Corp
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No leases or PPAs
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Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
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Maintenance & Repairs


Local Service
API Solar
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Local Service
BKJ Solar, LLC
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Educational sales approach
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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 Effingham
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to install your panels. The installation cost is just one important factor you should bear in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Your location: This influences the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be too steep of an option for families that don't use too much energy each month.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 26% of the project cost. Your state and city may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Plus, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Your power bills: This will impact your savings. In Effingham, the average resident can save about $1,000 a year on their electricity bills.
Although a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over time. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the size of your house and your current power bills.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and help the environment by installing a solar panel system, you can play around with the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Effingham, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Effingham
There are many reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them involves some government incentives that can save you money. When you install a solar panel system, you can claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lowers your tax bill by 26% of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some regional incentives that you can use to further save. You can find out about the incentives available to you in the table below.
Name | Solar Renewable Energy Credits |
Incentive Amount | Negotiated with procurement administrators |
Incentive Max | Benchmarks set by procurement administrators |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | ITC |
Type | Tax Incentive |
Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
Website | Visit here |
Name | Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems |
Incentive Amount | Varies |
Incentive Max | None specified |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Effingham
Switching to solar energy can have a beneficial impact on the environment. You may be trying to figure out — how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? In Effingham, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a big effect on the Earth since solar power is an abundant source of clean energy. Although solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably reducing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Effingham, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. For those who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Effingham, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Effingham?
In Effingham, StraightUp Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.77 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your roof.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
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 give you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels call for a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can't, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.