11 Best Solar Companies in Gardner, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Gardner based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Gardner, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Gardner homeowner saves $1,427/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Gardner
When choosing between the best solar panel companies, Gardner homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be too much to get a handle on, but we're here to make making the switch to solar power simpler. The average home can save $17,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And since solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, your total savings will be much higher than that overall.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in Gardner, you might see that there are a lot of providers to choose from. So, we've accumulated an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area. To help you find out 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 Gardner 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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Gardner
Sunrun Solar
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Reliable Customer Support - Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Expert panel installation - Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Route 66 Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
Springfield Sunsent Solar Installation Company
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
WindSolarUSA, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
EFS Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Skydrop Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Sunsent Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Halo Solar LLC
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
StraightUp Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
Solar Heating & A/C
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
ROUTE 66 SOLAR
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Gardner
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Gardner 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 Gardner
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 Gardner
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs above all. Some significant things that influence the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- How much energy you use: If your home uses a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from going solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $17,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you choose 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: This, along with your roof configuration, affects affect how much power your solar panels can produce.
Solar is a rewarding investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own power instead of paying for it from the grid and benefit from solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping protect the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Gardner
If you're planning on switching to solar energy, a variety of government incentives and subsidies can drastically reduce the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment. Local solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For detailed information about local incentives, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Gardner
If you want to add solar panels to your home, one of the main reasons why may be to lower your carbon footprint. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Gardner, though. As reported by the EPA, electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help bring down that statistic in a city like Gardner that generates a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Even though making solar panels releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Gardner, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. The benefits of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many Gardner residents have been happy with using solar energy.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Gardner, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The best local solar company in Gardner is Skydrop Energy, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Making solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How long do solar panels last?
Although the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.