14 Best Solar Companies in Sterling, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Sterling based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Sterling, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Sterling homeowner saves $1,118/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Sterling
When you're on the hunt for the best solar companies in Sterling, sorting through hundreds of options can be taxing, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many fantastic benefits. Due to Sterling's great level of sunshine on average, there are lots of solar companies to choose from.
If you want to take advantage of the great amount of benefits of solar, we're here to help you narrow down your options to find the Sterling solar installer that's right for you. If you'd like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best Sterling solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Sterling
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
Illinois Renewable Energy Association
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Powerful Living, L.L.C.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Independent Energy Systems
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- 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
Jansen Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical
- 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
- Home installations
Sunpower by Sun N Us Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Wanxiang New Energy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
Iconic Energy
- 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
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Sterling
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Sterling 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 Sterling
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 Sterling
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you must first pay to install your system. The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some important factors such as:
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar system this year can save 30% of their total solar spend by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $13,000 on your electricity bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, along with the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can generate.
- Your current energy bills: Solar panels can substantially reduce, or entirely eradicate, your utility bills. In Sterling, you can save an average of $75 a month.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you want 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.
Solar is a rewarding investment for most homeowners. You can make your own electricity instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping the environment.
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If you're wondering what your impact could be if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Sterling, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Sterling
There are a lot of reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them consists of some government incentives that can help save you some money. In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level incentives, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Check out our article on solar incentives to see what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Sterling
There are many reasons to make the switch to solar energy, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. You may be curious — how much does making the switch do for the planet anyway? The amount of energy you use is an important factor to consider. The more electricity you use, the greater your impact when you go solar. In Sterling, the average resident can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year once they go solar. If you care about the environment, you'll most likely recognize that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
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 Sterling, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Sterling?
The best local solar company in Sterling is Solar Werks LLC - Solar Panel Installation, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Producing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.7 years, but the exact period varies by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on the amount of power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household 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.