10 Best Solar Companies in Princeton, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in Princeton based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Princeton, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Princeton homeowner saves $1,201/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Princeton
If you’re a home or business owner looking to take advantage of the solar incentives in Princeton, it can be difficult to narrow down which company to decide on. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar energy is often a good idea. You may have to spend a decent amount of money upfront for solar panels, 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.
The cost of installing solar panels can change considerably according to your home’s layout and your overall energy usage.To get free quotes from the top solar companies in Princeton, click 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 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 Princeton
Sunrun Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
SOLAR PANTHER
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Sun Collectors
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Halo Solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Independence Renewable Energy, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
CF Solar Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Iowa Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar Grids Quad Cities
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Quad City Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Century Electric & Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Princeton
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Princeton 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 Princeton
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 Princeton
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar installer to go with comes down to how much it’ll cost.A few main factors that dictate how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you decide on can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be a high-cost option for homes that don’t need too much energy per month.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Plus, you can save about $14,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
Due to solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for most homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Princeton
If you’re planning on making the switch to solar energy, a variety of government incentives and solar rebates can greatly bring down the cost of the project and speed up the return on your investment.These incentives mostly include cash rebates, tax credits and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can reduce how much you end up spending on going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on your location. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can find in Princeton.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Princeton
An important reason so many homeowners are considering going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact.You may be asking yourself – how much do solar panels do for the environment anyway? According to the EPA, electricity production is the second greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Switching to a clean energy source like solar power can help reduce that statistic in a city like Princeton that produces a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.If you go solar, your carbon emissions can be reduced by about 100 pounds a year. Since solar power is renewable and makes electricity without CO2 emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help preserve the planet.
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 Princeton, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar installer in Princeton?
In Princeton, Sunrun Solar is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of 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?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 17.5 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
When should I put up solar panels?
Although summer is the most common time people install solar panels, the best time is actually winter. You can save money since there's less demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the higher power bills you may get during the summer.
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.