4 Best Solar Companies in Makanda, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Makanda based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Makanda, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Makanda homeowner saves $1,396/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Makanda
Looking for the top solar companies in Makanda? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. While solar panels are a sizable investment, you’ll be able to make that money back and then some, all while helping to protect the planet. In fact, you could be looking at saving about $17,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow down the top companies in your area.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the top Makanda solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Makanda
AES Solar
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Off-Grid Solar Systems- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
StraightUp Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Jackson Solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
D&D Electric
- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Makanda
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Makanda 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 Makanda
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 Makanda
For most homeowners, the decision to invest in solar energy boils down to the cost.The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $17,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Your location: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you buy 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.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be a high-cost option for households that don’t need too much energy a month.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own electricity instead of paying for it from the grid and make use of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping protect the Earth.
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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 Makanda, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Makanda
Although installing solar panels is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over several years because of smaller utility bills and government incentives.On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level incentives, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Makanda.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Makanda
There are lots of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar energy, like saving on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? One thing you should consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute time and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions.In Makanda, the average resident can reduce their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other perks besides saving money. One of the most important ones is that you can help save the planet too.
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 Makanda, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar installer in Makanda?
In Makanda, AES Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
What are a few of the main pros and cons of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lowers your power bills, it’s good for the environment, and it gives you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels aren’t always aesthetically pleasing.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
In most cases, 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.