10 Best Solar Companies in Sterling, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 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
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Best Solar Companies in Sterling
If you’re a homeowner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Sterling, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which company to choose. But, it's worth it since switching to solar energy is typically a great idea. What's especially making many homeowners consider installing solar panels is their sizable energy bills that keep increasing each year.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Sterling, you’ll find that there are a great number of providers to choose between. So, we’ve put together a curated list of the top solar companies in the area.Continue reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected to a vetted solar company in your area 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 for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Sterling
Greenlink Energy Solutions
Free Quotes- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
System Decommissioning- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Iconic Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Arrow Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Century Electric & Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Iowa Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Quad City Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Grids Quad Cities
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Independence Renewable Energy, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Bright Skies Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
CF Solar Power
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
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
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs the most.A few important factors that influence how much it will cost to install a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- How much electricity your household consumes: Households that need lots of power each month may need more solar panels and, therefore, be more costly, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- Your power bills: This will affect how much you can save. In Sterling, the average resident can save about $1,200 a year on their electricity bills.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’re trying to lower your electric bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Sterling homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Sterling
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than burning fossil fuels, there are a number of government incentives available to encourage its adoption.State and city solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Sterling
Switching to solar energy can have a beneficial effect on the environment.A question many people might be wondering about is how much can they really help preserve the environment by switching to solar power anyway? In Sterling, where the energy generation can be rather dirty, going solar can have a significant effect on the Earth since solar power has a lower carbon footprint.If you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 90 pounds every year. If you care about the environment, you’ll most likely find that there are many good things about adopting solar power other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
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
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's Sterling, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in Sterling?
The best local solar company in Sterling is Greenlink Energy Solutions, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, for some, completely eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. In terms of 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 desired energy output.
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.