17 Best Solar Companies in Gardner, IL (Mar 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 17 in Gardner 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
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
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Best solar companies in Gardner
When looking for the best solar companies in Gardner, going through so many options can be intimidating, but it can pay off since switching to solar energy can offer so many great benefits. Because solar panels generate their own energy, they can vastly lower your electricity bill each month, if not entirely eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the best companies in your area. To help you find out if solar panels are a good idea 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 National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Gardner

Mobius Solar
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Route 66 Solar
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Family owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Ryan Electrical Solutions
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Family owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

Ruby Electric Inc.
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Locally owned and operated
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

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

360 Electric Heating/Cooling
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Eagle Point Solar, LLC
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Porter Electric LLC
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels

Solar Panther
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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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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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Solar Panels

Solar Shield
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels

SOLAR PANTHER
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Commercial Solar Services

Pink Energy St Louis
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

Statewide Solar
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles

EFS Energy
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

Excel Home Solar
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Exceptional Electric
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

StraightUp Solar
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Excellent reputation
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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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 Gardner
Although solar panels can help save you a good amount of money on energy bills over time, it's important to take into consideration the startup costs. A few main factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar energy 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 $17,000 on your energy bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Typical energy usage: The more power your household consumes on average and the steeper your current power bills are, the more money you could save by making the switch to solar.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn't see much direct sunlight, your solar panels won't be able to generate as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electric bills than a house with a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- The kind of solar panels you can buy: This hinges on how much you're willing to invest upfront.
Although a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your energy consumption.
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If you'd like to know 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 Gardner, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Gardner
Although solar power is typically a big investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money in the long term due to lower power bills and government incentives. These incentives usually consist of cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut the cost you pay for installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Gardner.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Gardner
If you're thinking of adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to lower your greenhouse gas emissions. But how much can switching to solar actually help the environment? Using renewable energy for electricity in place of using nonrenewable energy is a good way to reduce your carbon footprint if you want to help reduce Gardner's large level of greenhouse gas emissions. Although solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by greatly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Gardner, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. Since solar energy is plentiful and generates electricity without CO2 emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's Gardner, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in Gardner?
In Gardner, Mobius Solar is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Producing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for lots of homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
When should I install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.