17 Best Solar Companies in Normal, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 17 in Normal based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Normal, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Normal homeowner saves $1,171/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Normal
As a homeowner or business owner in Normal, you may be interested in switching to solar and curious about the best solar companies in your area. Solar could be a fantastic choice since it has a lot of benefits. One of the key reasons why many homeowners consider switching to solar power is because it can greatly decrease your monthly utility bills which keep getting higher each year.
There are tons of installers to consider, but in this article, we'll help you pin down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Normal. For an idea of how much you would have to pay to install solar panels on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Normal by clicking the "get quote" button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Normal
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
StraightUp Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
My Solar Power Information
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
Ubuntu
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Central Road Energy
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
GRNE Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Professional reinstallation
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- End-to-end services
Corn Belt Energy Corporation
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Halo Solar LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
EDP Renewables North America
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Sunrun Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Porter Electric
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Normal
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Normal 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 Normal
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 Normal
We get that for lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar highly depends on installation costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Typical energy usage: The more power your household uses on average and the higher your current power bills are, the more money you could save by switching to solar.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Normal gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Incentives: One thing that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your energy bills, which can lead to an average of $14,000 of savings over 20 years.
- The cost of energy for you: If your local utility rates are high, there's a good chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Normal, you can save an average of $77 a month on your electricity bills.
As a result of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as several solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Normal
If you're thinking about switching to solar power, several government incentives and subsidies can immensely reduce your project costs and expedite the return on your investment. There are quite a few federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that can earn you a decent amount of money back after installing solar panels. Check out our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Normal
One reason so many people are considering installing solar panels is to help lower their environmental impact. Something many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help protect the environment by switching to solar power anyway? In a city like Normal where energy use is rather high, installing solar panels is a fantastic plan for people who are eco-conscious. If you go solar, your carbon emissions can be reduced by about 100 pounds each year. If you care about the environment, you'll likely get that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Normal, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best near me?
In Normal, Mobius Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it's eco-friendly, and it can provide a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, the startup costs are high and solar panels can be an eyesore.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 13.1 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more 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 how much energy the panels can produce under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.