15 Best Solar Companies in Lincoln, IL (2023 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
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Average Lincoln homeowner saves $1,003/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
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Best Solar Companies in Lincoln
As a homeowner in Lincoln, you may be considering switching to solar energy and curious about the best solar companies in your city. Solar could be a fantastic choice since it comes with lots of benefits. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $12,000 on your power bills.
In this article, we'll tell you about the top Lincoln solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home's green energy needs. We advise shopping around to get multiple quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-pressure quotes from the best solar companies in Lincoln, click the link 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 Lincoln
Sunrun Solar
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Informative Resources - Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Tailored solutions - Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
- Expert panel installation
Route 66 Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
WindSolarUSA, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
Springfield Sunsent Solar Installation Company
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
StraightUp Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
Halo Solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
Skydrop Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Sunsent Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Home installations
EFS Energy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
SOLAR PANTHER
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
Sun Collectors
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
New Prairie Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
Solar Heating & A/C
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Solar Panels
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
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
For many people, the decision of which solar installer to hire depends on total costs. Some key factors that dictate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Your income and budget: This affects what model of solar panels you can get.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, and the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can generate.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you reduce your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. In addition, you can save about $12,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- Your current energy bills: Solar panels can noticeably decrease, or entirely eradicate, your utility bills. In Lincoln, you can save an average of $66 a month.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you'd like to decrease your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Lincoln homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Lincoln
If you're thinking about making the switch to solar power, various government incentives and subsidies can drastically lower the installation costs and expedite the return on your investment. On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in the majority of cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. Our article on solar incentives goes over more information on the incentives you can find in Lincoln.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Lincoln
If you're considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to lower your carbon dioxide emissions. But — how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? The more power your household uses, the the more the environment will benefit from you switching to solar since you won't have to rely on traditional energy sources as much. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. The benefits of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many Lincoln residents have been happy with committing to solar.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Lincoln, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installation company in Lincoln?
The highest-rated local solar company in Lincoln is Porter Electric, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful 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. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a good investment for many homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
When should I put up solar panels?
Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the ideal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's less demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the higher power bills you may get during the summer.
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.