16 Best Solar Companies in South Ottawa, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 16 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
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in South Ottawa
If you're looking for the best solar companies in South Ottawa, digging through all the options can be challenging, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many great perks. Because South Ottawa has a great capacity for solar energy generation, going solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the best companies in your area. Continue reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected to 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 South Ottawa
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
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
CF Solar Power
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Independence Renewable Energy, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
100 Amps, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Solar Service Solutions LLC
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Solar Joe's 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
- Home installations
ABC Utilities
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Summit Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Wesco Distribution Inc
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Best Solar Lighting
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Safeguard Solar LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
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
We know that for many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar highly depends on installation costs. There are a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:
- The cost of energy for you: If your local utility rates are high, there's a good chance you'll get a higher return on your investment in solar panels. In South Ottawa, you can save an average of $78 a month on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $14,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be too steep of an investment for families that don't consume a lot of energy each month.
- The kind of solar panels you have the money for: This is dependent on what your budget is.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you want to lower your electric bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many South Ottawa homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in South Ottawa
If you're thinking about making the switch to solar energy, various government incentives and subsidies can greatly bring down your project costs and speed up the return on your investment. Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will let you claim 30% of your project costs when you file taxes, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. Check out our article on solar incentives to see what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in South Ottawa
Switching to solar energy can have a meaningful effect on the environment. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? In South Ottawa, where the energy generation produces a lot of greenhouse gasses, going solar can have a significant impact on the Earth since solar power has a lower carbon footprint. In fact, if you install solar panels, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. The perks of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many South Ottawa residents 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 Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's South Ottawa, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in South Ottawa is SunRise Solar Attic Fans, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are some of the major pros and cons of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it's eco-friendly, and it provides a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 13.1 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.
When should I install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners going solar, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.