14 Best Solar Companies in Foster, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Foster based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Foster, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Foster homeowner saves $1,379/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Foster
Choosing the best solar panel installation company for your home is a huge decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Foster. Plus, the solar industry is thriving in Foster, giving homeowners access to some of the most respected solar installers in the country.
In this article, we'll give you a list of the top Foster solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home's clean energy needs. If you'd like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best Foster solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Foster
Average Cost
SunPower
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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
Vista Energy Renewables
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Statewide Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
Route 66 Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
Joe's Electric, Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
BKJ Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Greentech Renewables St. Louis
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Day & Night Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Gunther Salt Company
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Foster
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Foster 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 Foster
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 Foster
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar company to go with depends on costs. There are a few factors you should take into consideration when determining costs and your potential savings, such as:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 30% of your overall installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $16,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
- Your home's power bills: With fairly high monthly electricity bills in Foster, you could save about $1,100 a year with solar.
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won't be able to produce as much energy, which will give you lower savings on energy bills than a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
There are lots of good benefits of solar despite the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your bank account. Additionally, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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If you're curious what your impact could be if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Foster, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Foster
There are a lot of reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them consists of some government incentives that can help save you some money. These incentives normally take the form of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower how much you pay for installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% in some cases. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Foster.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Foster
Switching to solar energy can have a meaningful effect on the environment. But — how much exactly can you help the planet by making the switch to solar? The more power your household uses, the better off the planet will be from you switching to solar since you won't have to burn as many fossil fuels. Even though solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Foster, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. As you can see, using solar power has so many other benefits outside of saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the environment 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 Foster, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in Foster?
In Foster, Mobius Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your home.
Are solar panels really bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be detrimental 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. Solar panel manufacturing 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 getting solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 11.1 years, but the exact period varies depending on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
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 costly. 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, like 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.