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

Average Sterling homeowner saves $1,118/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 01, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best Solar Companies in Sterling

If you’re a homeowner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Sterling, it can be difficult to narrow down which company to decide on. But, it's worth it since adopting solar energy is often a good choice. For most homeowners, the choice to invest in solar depends on how much they can save. The good news is solar can help most homeowners save a decent amount on their fairly high and increasing energy bills.


To help you sort through the huge number of Sterling solar installers, we’ve come up with a list of the top ones.To get a sense of what it might cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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 Sterling

Best Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Greenlink Energy Solutions

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Energy Efficiency Audit
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Cleaning
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: https://usgreenlink.com/
Address: 3020 Forest View Rd, Rockford, IL 61109
Phone: 7792566049
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.6/5

Iconic Energy

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Financing Assistance

Website: https://iconicnrg.com/
Address: 4617 American Rd, Rockford, IL 61109
Phone: 8159758303
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Arrow Solar

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: https://www.helloarrowco.com/
Address: 11470 Industrial Dr, Galena, IL 61036
Phone: 8155803142
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Century Electric & Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: http://www.centuryelectricqc.com/
Address: 1018 E Iowa St, Eldridge, IA 52748
Phone: 5632855611
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Iowa Solar

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Solar Panel Upgrades
  • Service icon Emergency Services
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Energy Efficiency Audit
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: https://iowasolar.com/
Address: 3127 N Brady St #3, Davenport, IA 52803
Phone: 5637237405
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Solar Grids Quad Cities

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: http://solargridsquadcities.com/
Address: 3023 Avenue of the Cities, Moline, IL 61265
Phone: 5633620910
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Quad City Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Cleaning
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: https://quadcitysolar.com/
Address: 311 W 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801
Phone: 5636502627
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Independence Renewable Energy, LLC

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: http://www.iresolar.com/
Address: 926 E Church St, Sandwich, IL 60548
Phone: 8154141788
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Bright Skies Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Battery Storage

Website: https://www.brightskiessolar.com/
Address: 7778 Co Rd M, Browntown, WI 53522
Phone: 6082931163
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

CF Solar Power

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Tesla Powerwall
  • Service icon Maintenance

Website: https://cfsolar.org/
Address: 1424 W Church St, Sandwich, IL 60548
Phone: 8155705596

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

The cost of putting up solar panels has gone down immensely over the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.Some key things that determine how much it will cost and how much you could save include:

  • System size and type: Some models are more pricy than others, so the one you choose can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
  • The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t see much direct sunlight, your solar system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on power bills than a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
  • Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be a high-cost option for families that don’t consume too much energy a month.
  • Your power bills: This will affect how much you can save. In Sterling, the average homeowner can save about $1,200 a year on their electricity bills.

Solar is a valuable investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from a utility company and benefit from solar incentives, all while helping the environment.

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Solar Incentives in Sterling

If you’re planning on switching to solar power, various government incentives and solar rebates can greatly bring down the cost of the project and speed up the return on your investment.No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much your solar project cost when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some local incentives that can save you some extra money too. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Sterling.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Sterling

One reason so many are considering adopting solar energy is to help bring down their environmental impact.You may be curious – how much does going solar help the planet anyway? As stated by the EPA, electricity generation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Switching to a clean energy source like solar power can help reduce that number in a city like Sterling that generates a sizable amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.Once you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 90 pounds each year. The benefits of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with making the switch to solar.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • Most efficient panels on the market
  • National coverage
  • Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Great warranty coverage
  • Expensive
  • Customer service varies by local dealer

Best Solar Financing

Blue Raven Solar

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • Expansive service area
  • Many financing options
  • Some reported issues with customer service
  • Some reported issues with door-to-door sales

EcoWatch's Sterling, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar panel installer is the best in Sterling?

In Sterling, Greenlink Energy Solutions is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

The main advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, in some cases, entirely erase your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest 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 it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.

Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?

Solar panels can be a good investment for lots of homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your energy bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.

What is the best kind of solar panel?

The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout and how much energy generation you want.

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.