15 Best Solar Companies in Pontiac, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Pontiac based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Pontiac, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Pontiac homeowner saves $1,216/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Pontiac
On the hunt for the best solar companies in Pontiac? Installing solar panels is an exciting venture that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Due to its moderate amount of average daily sunlight, Pontiac has a good amount of solar growth, so several of the best solar companies in the country have expanded to there to help residents switch over to renewable energy.
To help you navigate through the huge number of Pontiac solar installers, we’ve come up with a list of the top ones.Want to know how much it’d cost to install a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a highly rated Pontiac solar installer.
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 Pontiac
SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC
Reliable Customer Support- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Financing Assistance
Sunrun Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
YellowLite
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
StraightUp Solar of Bloomington
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
SOLAR PANTHER
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
Sun Collectors
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Summit Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
ROUTE 66 SOLAR
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
Halo Solar LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Solar Service Solutions LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Solar Joe's Inc
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Consultation
Independence Renewable Energy, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
Solar Power Midwest LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
New Prairie Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Pontiac
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Pontiac 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 Pontiac
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 Pontiac
For lots of homeowners, whether or not you should invest in solar energy depends the most on the cost.Some important things that affect the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $14,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Pontiac gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much your electricity bills will be.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Pontiac uses a decent amount of, and therefore may save on their energy bills.
- How much you spend on energy: If your local electricity rates are quite high, there's a good chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In Pontiac, you can save an average of $1,156 a month on your electricity bills.
There are lots of good benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. Plus, it can increase the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Pontiac
Because solar power is better for the environment than fossil fuels, there are various government incentives in place to encourage its adoption.State and city solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For comprehensive information about incentives that apply to you, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Pontiac
Many want to do what they can to help the planet, which in many cases is the chief motivation to install a solar system.But how much can installing solar panels actually affect the environment? Switching to solar power is a great choice for the environment, because the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.After you go solar, your carbon footprint can be reduced by about 100 pounds each year. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other perks beyond saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment 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 Pontiac, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel company in Pontiac?
In Pontiac, SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Producing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 17.3 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.