17 Best Solar Companies in Foster, IL (Sep 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 17 in Foster based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Updated 9/16/2022
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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 (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 Foster
Local Service
Mobius Solar
-
Can browse portfolio on website - Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services - Solar Panels
Local Service
Route 66 Solar
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Family owned and operated
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Ryan Electrical Solutions
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Family owned and operated
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Ruby Electric Inc.
- Locally owned and operated
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
EFS Energy Inc
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Pink Energy St Louis
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Statewide Solar
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
Local Service
EFS Energy
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Exceptional Energy Solutions
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Excel Home Solar
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Exceptional Electric
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Helio Solar Power, LLC.
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Nationwide Service
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
Local Service
Joe's Electric, Inc
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
STL Solar Plus LLC
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Educational sales approach
- Locally owned and operated
- Some reported communication issues
- Some reported issues with customer services
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Barlecorn™ 4, LLC
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Educational sales approach
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Custom system designs
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Cain Electric Inc
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
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 Foster
For many readers, the decision of which solar company to choose comes down to prices. Some main factors that influence how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Your current electricity bills: Solar panels can significantly lower, or totally eliminate, your utility bills. In Foster, you can save an average of $88 a month.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your energy bills, which can generate an average of $16,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The model of solar panels you're planning on getting: More efficient panels are more costly, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
Because of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a solid investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Foster
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than fossil fuels, there are various government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch. 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 26 to 50% in some cases. For more information about incentives for homeowners in Foster, check out 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 Foster
Switching to solar energy can have a meaningful effect on the environment. But you may be wondering — how much exactly can you help by using solar power? 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 (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 Foster, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in Foster?
In Foster, EFS Energy Inc is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.52 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.