9 Best Solar Companies in Olio, IL (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 9 in Olio based on:

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

Average Olio homeowner saves $1,205/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated April 21, 2024

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 Olio

As a homeowner in Olio, you may be planning on switching to solar power and curious about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a good choice since it comes with a lot of perks. The average home can save $14,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And since solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be well above that overall.


If you want to take advantage of the great amount of benefits of solar, we’ll help you narrow down your options to find the Olio solar installer that’s perfect for you.We recommend shopping around to get several quotes and comparing them to figure out which is the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-pressure quotes from vetted solar companies in Olio, click the link below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • 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

★★★★★
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 Olio

Best Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Panel Installation
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

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

Services Offered

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

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

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Halo Solar LLC

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • 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
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EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

SOLAR PANTHER

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

Services Offered

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

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

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

StraightUp Solar of Bloomington

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

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

5.0/5

Sun Collectors

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

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

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

ROUTE 66 SOLAR

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

Services Offered

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

Website: https://route66solar.com/
Address: 2619 W Heading Ave Suite 314, West Peoria, IL 61604
Phone: 3093367394
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Nelnet Renewable Energy

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

Services Offered

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

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

Skydrop Energy

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

Services Offered

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

Website: http://www.skydropenergy.com/
Address: 24049 Burr Oaks Ln, Athens, IL 62613
Phone: 2175569269

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Olio

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


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 Olio

For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar installer to go with depends on total costs.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on some important factors such as:

  • Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you buy will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive 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.
  • How much energy you use: If your household uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your total installation cost, your state or 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.
  • Average daily sunlight: Since Olio gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.

There are several great benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the planet and your bank account. Plus, it can increase the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.

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Solar Incentives in Olio

If you’re thinking about switching to solar power, a variety of government incentives and subsidies can immensely reduce the installation costs and speed up the return on your investment.These incentives normally include cash rebates, tax benefits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut how much you end up spending on 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 take advantage of.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Olio

There are a few important reasons why many people want to invest in solar energy: for the good of their bank accounts and the planet.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Olio, though. In a city like Olio where commute times can be long sometimes, going solar can help help reduce the carbon footprint of driving a lot.Although solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Olio, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year with solar panels. Since solar energy is abundant and produces electricity without releasing carbon emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0
  • 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

★★★★★
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 Olio, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar company is the best in Olio?

The best local solar company in Olio is SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC, with a rating of 4.80 stars.

What is the negative environmental impact of 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. Solar panel manufacturing uses 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 17.5 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

What is the best kind of solar panel?

The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are less expensive but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof 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.