12 Best Solar Companies in Richmond, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Richmond based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Richmond, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Richmond homeowner saves $1,109/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Richmond
If you're a home or business owner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Richmond, it can be challenging to narrow down which installer to go with. But, it's worth it since switching to solar energy is often a good choice. With high levels of average daily sunlight in Richmond, the solar industry is doing fairly well. An overlooked reason for this growth has been Illinois' statewide programs that encourage residential and commercial solar panel installation.
In this article, we'll tell you about the top Richmond solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home's green energy needs. Continue reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected with a vetted solar company near you right away by clicking the 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 Richmond
Average Cost
SunPower
-
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
ilumen 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
- Integrated roofing
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
Solar Brite Ltd
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Solar Connections International
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Midwest Solutions Inc
- 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
Convergence Energy, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
E-GSI Energy Glazed Systems Inc.
- 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
- Integrated roofing
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Richmond
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Richmond 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 Richmond
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 Richmond
For most homeowners, the decision to invest in a solar energy system boils down to the cost. A few main factors that affect how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 30% of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $13,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you choose 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.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical family in Richmond pays around $900 a year on home energy use alone, so you could be looking at that much in savings.
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your home consumes on average and the larger your current electricity bills are, the more money you could save by switching to solar.
Because of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Richmond
If you're thinking about switching to solar energy, various government incentives and state programs can immensely reduce your project costs and expedite the return on your investment. On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level incentives, which in the majority of cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Richmond.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Richmond
There are many reasons to trade traditional energy for solar energy, like saving some money on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint. A question many homeowners might be wondering about is how much can they really help protect the environment by going solar anyway? The more energy you use, the better off the planet will be when you switch to solar as you won't have to rely on traditional energy sources as much. Even though solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Richmond, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For homeowners who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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 Richmond, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installer in Richmond?
The best local solar company in Richmond is SunRise Solar Attic Fans, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
The advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, totally erase your electricity bills, improve your home's value and lower your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save a lot if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 13.8 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.
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.