14 Best Solar Companies in Rockford, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Rockford based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Rockford, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Rockford homeowner saves $1,142/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Rockford
If you're looking for the best solar companies in Rockford, going through so many options can be daunting, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many fantastic benefits. Since Rockford is a city with great potential for solar power, it's no wonder you're considering installing solar panels.
Here, we'll list out some of the top solar companies in Rockford to make your choice a little bit easier. To help you understand if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Rockford 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 Rockford
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
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
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
Iconic Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
Greenlink Energy Solutions
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
Wanxiang New Energy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
GreenCastle Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
TruHome Pros Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- End-to-end services
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
EcoHome Expert, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Rock Energy Cooperative
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Rockford
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Rockford 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 Rockford
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 Rockford
While solar panels can save you money on power bills over time, it's necessary to consider the upfront costs. Some significant things that influence how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- The make and model of solar panels you're thinking of getting: Higher-efficiency panels cost more, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that's equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your energy bills, which can give you an average of $14,000 of savings over 20 years.
- How much energy costs for you: If your local power rates are high, there's a good chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in a solar system. In Rockford, you can save an average of $78 a month on your electricity bills.
- How much energy your home consumes: Households that consume lots of energy each month may call for more solar panels and, therefore, be more costly, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
Although a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the size of your house and incentives.
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Solar Incentives in Rockford
Because solar power is better for the environment than traditional energy sources, there are a number of government incentives in place to encourage its adoption. These incentives mostly include cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut how much you end up spending on installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% in some cases. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Rockford.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Rockford
There are lots of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint. Something many might be asking themselves is how much can they really help preserve the environment by going solar anyway? The amount of energy you use is a key factor to keep in mind. The more electricity your household consumes, the larger your impact when you go solar. While solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by greatly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Rockford, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. Since solar power is abundant and makes electricity without a carbon footprint, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help the environment.
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 Rockford, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In Rockford, WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your roof.
What are some of the major pros and cons of adopting solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it's environmentally friendly, and it provides a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels aren't always aesthetically pleasing.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels need a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on the amount of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.