15 Best Solar Companies in Lincoln, IL (2025 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Lincoln based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Lincoln, IL
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Lincoln homeowner saves $1,003/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated January 24, 2025

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Lincoln

Getting the right solar panel installation company for your home is a huge decision, but it's one that can pay off big in Lincoln. Because solar panels produce their own electrical power, they can vastly lower your electricity bill each month, if not entirely eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $12,000 of savings over 20 years.


In this article, we’ll help you narrow down the top options in your area.To see how much you would have to pay to put up solar panels on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Lincoln by clicking the "get quote" button below.

Advertisement

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • 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 Lincoln

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: http://www.legacysolarpower.com/
Address: 301 S Quincy St, Towanda, IL 61776
Phone: 3092313138
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

Sunrun Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Battery Storage

Website: https://www.sunrun.com/
Address: 688 High Point Ln, East Peoria, IL 61611
Phone: 8333245886
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

SOLAR PANTHER

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: https://www.thesolarpanther.com/
Address: 4703 North Ellen Court, Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Phone: 3098866830
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Sun Collectors

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon System Decommissioning
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon Consultation

Website: https://suncollectors.solar/
Address: 4507 N Sterling Ave #400, Peoria, IL 61615
Phone: 3093003875
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Route 66 Solar

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon System Decommissioning
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System

Website: https://route66solar.com/
Address: 1 W Old State Capitol Plaza Suite 505, Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: 2176526533
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

StraightUp Solar of Bloomington

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System

Website: https://straightupsolar.com/bloomington-il/
Address: 505 N Main St Suite A, Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: 3092602663
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Halo Solar LLC

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: https://halosolar.net/
Address: 7 Legacy Dr, Goodfield, IL 61742
Phone: 3097407861
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

New Prairie Solar

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: https://www.newprairiesolar.com/
Address: 2005 N Linview Ave Unit D, Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 2173445131
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

WindSolarUSA, Inc.

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Grid-Tied Solar System
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Consultation

Website: https://windsolarusa.com/
Address: 104 N 6th St, Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: 2178254206
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Skydrop Energy

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Permit Assistance

Website: http://www.skydropenergy.com/
Address: 24049 Burr Oaks Ln, Athens, IL 62613
Phone: 2175569269
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

SunSent Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance

Website: https://www.sunsent.com/
Address: 150 Lewis Park Dr Suite H, Mt Zion, IL 62549
Phone: 2178597080
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Nelnet Renewable Energy

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Battery Storage

Website: http://www.nelnetenergy.com/
Address: 4109 Oakland Ave Unit B, Bloomington, IL 61704
Phone: 8882025630
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Harvest Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: https://harvestsolar.com/
Address: 2901 Boardwalk Dr Suite E – H, Champaign, IL 61822
Phone: 8889076527
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

IQ Group Inc

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Consultation

Website: http://iqgroup.us/
Address: 3888 N Peoria Rd, Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: 2172196006
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

EFS Energy

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Panel Installation

Website: http://www.efsenergy.com/contact/
Address: 920 S Spring St Suite 2600, Springfield, IL 62704
Phone: 2179939801

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Lincoln

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Lincoln 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 Lincoln


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 Lincoln

We know that for many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar depends on installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:

  • How much power your household needs: If your household uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
  • Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you need will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
  • The amount of sunlight your area gets: Thanks to Lincoln’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electric bills.
  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your overall installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $12,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.

So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to reduce your electricity costs, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Lincoln homeowners.

Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}

Use the calculator below to see how much adopting solar power could affect the environment and your savings account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Lincoln, 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
Why leave {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} on the table? Help the environment and your wallet by switching to solar. GET ESTIMATE

Electricity rate:
{{ solarcalc.elec_cost/10 }} ¢
Shade:
{{ solarcalc.shade }} %
Time period:
{{ solarcalc.time_period }} years
System size:
{{ solarcalc.system_size }} kW
Additional Incentives:
{{ solarcalc.additional_incentives|currency }}

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 Lincoln

One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is receiving federal and potentially state incentives.These incentives usually include cash rebates, tax breaks and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower the cost you pay for going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can benefit from.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Lincoln

Making the switch to solar power is a good way to do your part for a more environmentally-friendly future.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Lincoln, though. Using green energy for electricity in place of relying on nonrenewable energy sources is a great way to lower carbon dioxide emissions if you want to help reduce Lincoln's large level of greenhouse gas emissions.Because solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good swap for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. Since solar energy is renewable and makes electricity without CO2 emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help the planet.

Advertisement

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5
  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0
  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Lincoln, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar company is the best in Lincoln?

In Lincoln, SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your roof.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

The advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, completely erase your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and bring down your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not see as many savings 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 for solar to pay for itself?

Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 21.0 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.

What is the efficiency of solar panels?

For the most part, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, which means they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.

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.