14 Best Solar Companies in Mackinaw, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Mackinaw based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Mackinaw, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Mackinaw homeowner saves $1,153/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Mackinaw
Looking for the top solar companies in Mackinaw? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting project that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Installation costs can be high, but adopting solar will save you money on your utility bills over time. In fact, you can expect to save about $14,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll help you find the top options in your area.To receive free quotes from the best solar companies in Mackinaw, you can click "get quote" below.
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
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 Mackinaw
SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Financing Assistance- Panel Installation
Sunrun Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Halo Solar LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
StraightUp Solar of Bloomington
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
SOLAR PANTHER
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Sun Collectors
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Route 66 Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
Skydrop Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
WindSolarUSA, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
IQ Group Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
SunSent Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
EFS Energy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Harvest Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Mackinaw
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Mackinaw 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 Mackinaw
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 Mackinaw
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs above all.Some important things that determine how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, along with the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much power your solar panels can make.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 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 $14,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what model of solar panels you can purchase.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be too steep of an option for homes that don’t need a lot of energy each month.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to reduce your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Mackinaw homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Mackinaw
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than traditional energy sources, there are several government incentives available to encourage its adoption.On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local programs, which in the majority of cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Mackinaw
Many want to do their part to help protect the planet, which often is the primary reason for installing a solar system.Something many people might be thinking about is how much can they really help preserve the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Switching to green energy for electricity instead of relying on nonrenewable energy sources is an impactful way to lower carbon dioxide emissions if you're worried about Mackinaw's large level of greenhouse gas emissions.While solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Mackinaw, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. The benefits of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners 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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
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 Mackinaw, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in Mackinaw?
In Mackinaw, SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC is the best 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 house.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
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. Solar panel manufacturing requires a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 18.3 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
What are the different kinds of solar panels?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. In regard to efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by the layout of your roof, your budget and how much energy generation you want.
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.