18 Best Solar Companies in Empire, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in Empire based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Empire, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Empire homeowner saves $1,297/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Empire
Looking for the top solar companies in Empire? Installing solar panels is an exciting venture that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Since Empire is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're considering installing solar panels.
In this article, we'll review the top Empire solar installers so you can find the best one for your home's solar energy needs. Interested in seeing the cost of installing solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a highly rated Empire solar installer.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Empire
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Corn Belt Energy Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
GRNE Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Professional reinstallation
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
Central Road Energy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
Ubuntu
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
My Solar Power Information
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
StraightUp Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Harvest Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Solar Energy Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
New Prairie Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
New Prairie Construction Company
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Recognized Excellence
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- End-to-end services
Halo Solar LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Empire
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Empire 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 Empire
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 Empire
Even though solar panels can save you money on electricity bills over time, it's important to take into consideration the startup costs. There are several factors you should take into consideration when determining how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their installation costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $15,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years without incentives.
- Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- The kind of solar panel system you can buy: This hinges on your income and budget.
- How much energy costs for you: The average household in Empire pays around $1,000 a year on power alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
There are several wonderful benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the planet and your bank account. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Empire
In order to increase solar panel installation and usage, incentives are offered by the government — and even some utility companies — to help make solar power more financially viable and accessible. You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also potentially pair the ITC with other local rebates and benefits. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Empire
There are a few key reasons why homeowners are interested in solar energy: to help their wallet and the environment. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Empire, though. In a city like Empire where energy use is rather high, installing solar panels is a fantastic plan for those who care about the planet. Although solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably lowering the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Empire, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. As you can see, going solar has so many other perks apart from saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Empire, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Empire is Mobius Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. 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.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a significant upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What are the different kinds of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types 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 configuration 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.