7 Best Solar Companies in Lafayette, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 7 in Lafayette based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Lafayette, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Lafayette homeowner saves $1,319/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Lafayette
When deciding on the best solar companies, Lafayette homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar energy that much easier. Solar panels aren't just good for the Earth — your wallet will benefit too. With solar power, you can save an average of $16,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
In this article, we’ll help you find the top companies in your area.To get an estimate of how much it might cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Lafayette
Tick Tock Energy, Inc.
Reliable Customer Support- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Off-Grid Solar Systems- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
Sonne Energy Solutions, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
SunSent Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
New Prairie Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Accutek Solar
- Family-Operated Business
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
One Planet Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Harvest Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Lafayette
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Lafayette 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 Lafayette
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 Lafayette
For a lot of homeowners, whether or not you should invest in solar energy boils down to the cost.Some significant things that determine the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- How much power your home consumes: Homes that consume lots of electricity each month may need more solar panels and, as a result, be more costly, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- Your energy bills: This will influence how much you can save. In Lafayette, the average homeowner can save about $850 a year on their electricity bills.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, plus how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can generate.
Though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the size of your solar panel system and your energy consumption.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
For an idea of both how much you could save and help the Earth by installing a solar panel system, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Lafayette, IL.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.
Solar Incentives in Lafayette
If you’re planning on making the switch to solar power, several government incentives and state programs can immensely bring down your project costs and speed up the return on your investment.There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money back after installing a solar panel system. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Lafayette
Switching to solar energy can have a positive effect on the environment.A question many homeowners might have in mind is how much can they really help preserve the environment by going solar anyway? In Lafayette, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a big effect on the Earth since solar power is a renewable source of energy.In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll likely find that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Lafayette, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installation company in Lafayette?
The best local solar company in Lafayette is Tick Tock Energy, Inc., with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, completely cut your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 16.0 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on the amount of power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.