15 Best Solar Companies in Salem, IL (Aug 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Salem based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!

Updated 7/19/2022
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Salem
When you're trying to find the best solar companies in Salem, digging through all the options can be daunting, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many fantastic benefits. Due to its moderate amount of average daily sunlight, Salem has a good amount of solar growth, so several of the best solar companies in the country have set up shop there to help residents embrace renewable energy.
If you're planning on going solar, the first step to take is to find the best solar companies in Salem and compare quotes. The good news is we took the time and came up with a list of the best solar companies to make your life easier. We advise shopping around to get multiple quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To get started with free, no-obligation quotes from pre-screened solar panel companies in Salem, click the link below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Salem


Nationwide Service
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market
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National coverage
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Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
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Great warranty coverage
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Expensive
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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System Monitoring


Local Service
EFS Energy Inc
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Custom system designs
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Regional Service
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
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Industry-leading in-house financing
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Competitive pricing
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Excellent reputation
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Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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System Monitoring


Nationwide Service
Average Cost
The Green Panel
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Price-match guarantee
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Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
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Best solar battery on the market
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Some reported issues with customer service
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Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Solar Roof Shingles
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System Monitoring


Local Service
Barlecorn™ 4, LLC
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Educational sales approach
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Custom system designs
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels


Local Service
Whole Sun Designs, Inc.
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Can browse portfolio on website
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Makes charitable contributions
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Regional Service
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
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Industry-leading warranty coverage
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Expansive service area
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Some reported communication issues
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No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Energy-Efficiency Upgrades


Regional Service
Average Cost
Sunrun
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Expansive service area
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Many financing options
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Some reported issues with customer service
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Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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EV Chargers
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Energy-Efficiency Upgrades


Regional Service
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
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Expansive service area
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Makes charitable contributions
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Certified B Corp
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No leases or PPAs
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Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries
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Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
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Maintenance & Repairs


Local Service
Brightergy
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Can browse portfolio on website
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Local Service
STL Solar Plus LLC
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Locally owned and operated
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Educational sales approach
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Some reported communication issues
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Some reported issues with customer services
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Some reports of long wait times for installation
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Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
Services Offered
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Solar Panels


Local Service
API Solar
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Local Service
Rabco Home Energy Soluitons, LLC
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels


Local Service
BKJ Solar, LLC
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Educational sales approach
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Batteries


Local Service
AFP Power
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Salem
Although solar panels can save you money on electricity bills over time, it's necessary to consider the upfront costs. The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- The cost of electricity in your area: If your local utility rates are quite high, there's a good chance you'll end up with a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Salem, you can save an average of $83 a month on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you decrease your taxes by 26% of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. In addition, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
- Your city: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- How much power your household consumes: Households that use lots of energy each month may call for more solar panels and, consequently, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to reduce your electric bills, carbon dioxide emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Salem homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Salem
Adopting solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the planet, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives. There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that let you earn anywhere from 26% to 50% of your money back after paying for solar panels. The table below lists out the incentives you can benefit from in Salem.
Name | Solar Renewable Energy Credits |
Incentive Amount | Negotiated with procurement administrators |
Incentive Max | Benchmarks set by procurement administrators |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Name | ITC |
Type | Tax Incentive |
Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
Website | Visit here |
Name | Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems |
Incentive Amount | Varies |
Incentive Max | None specified |
Website | Visit here |
More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Salem
There are lots of reasons to make the switch to solar power, like saving on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. You may be wondering — how much does going solar help the environment anyway? Using solar energy for electricity in place of using nonrenewable energy is an effective way to lower carbon dioxide emissions if you want to help reduce Salem's large level of greenhouse gas emissions. In Salem, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year after going solar. Since solar power is plentiful and generates 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 (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- 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 Salem, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Salem?
In Salem, EFS Energy Inc is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.52 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
What are a few of the main advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it's environmentally friendly, and it can give you a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels can be an eyesore.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 12.5 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When should I install solar panels?
Although summer is the most popular time people install solar panels, the ideal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's decreased demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the more expensive 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.