15 Best Solar Companies in South Ottawa, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in South Ottawa based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for South Ottawa, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average South Ottawa homeowner saves $1,165/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in South Ottawa
When deciding on the best solar panel companies, South Ottawa homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar power less confusing. You may have to spend a decent amount of money upfront for solar panels, but switching to solar will save you money on your utility bills in the long term. In fact, you can expect to save about $14,000 over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary substantially depending on your home’s setup and your household energy requirements.Interested in seeing how much it’d cost to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated South Ottawa solar installer.
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 South Ottawa
SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC
Clear Pricing Policy- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Financing Assistance
Sunrun Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Independence Renewable Energy, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Summit Solar
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
CF Solar Power
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Reficiency Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
SOLAR PANTHER
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
Sun Collectors
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
StraightUp Solar of Bloomington
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Solar Joe's Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Community Solar Projects
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
Solar Service Solutions LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Unity Solar Group
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
Safeguard Solar LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Solar Power Midwest LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in South Ottawa
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in South Ottawa 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 South Ottawa
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 South Ottawa
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners care about the costs the most.Some significant things that influence the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- The kind of solar panel system you can purchase: This hinges on your income and budget.
- How much energy your household consumes: Homes that need a lot of power each month may need more solar panels and, consequently, be more costly, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
- The amount of sunlight your home gets: Due to South Ottawa’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your power bills.
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their solar installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $14,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
So are solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to lower your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many South Ottawa homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in South Ottawa
If you’re planning on making the switch to solar power, a number of government incentives and state programs can immensely bring down your project costs and expedite the return on your investment.When you install a solar panel system on your home, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lowers your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some regional incentives that you can take advantage of to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. You can find out about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in South Ottawa
There are a few big reasons why homeowners are considering solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.You may be wondering – how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? In a city like South Ottawa where energy use is rather high, making the switch to solar power is a good plan for homeowners who want to do their part for the environment.In South Ottawa, the average person can reduce their carbon footprint by 100 pounds a year once they go solar. The good things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with using solar energy.
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 South Ottawa, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in South Ottawa?
In South Ottawa, SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.80 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Producing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my house?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
What are the different types of solar panels?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. As for efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by the layout of your roof, your budget and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.