9 Best Solar Companies in Tolono, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 9 in Tolono based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Tolono, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Tolono homeowner saves $1,281/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Tolono
Hoping to go solar but trying to figure out which solar company would be best for you? Although it can be hard to choose a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great benefits. One of the main reasons why many homeowners want to switching to solar energy is because it can greatly reduce your monthly utility bills which keep getting higher each year.
In this article, we’ll help you find the top options in your area.Interested in knowing how much it’d cost to install a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top Tolono 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 Tolono
SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC
Free Quotes- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Financing Assistance- Panel Installation
New Prairie Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
Harvest Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
StraightUp Solar of Bloomington
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
SunSent Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Accutek Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Sonne Energy Solutions, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
One Planet Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Tolono
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Tolono 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 Tolono
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 Tolono
For most homeowners, whether or not you should invest in a solar energy system boils down to the cost.Some significant things that influence the cost and possible savings include:
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electricity bills than a house with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Your income and budget: This affects what kind of solar panels you can afford.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your federal taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Tolono uses a decent amount of, and consequently may save on their energy bills.
Due to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Tolono
In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, incentives are offered by the government – and even some utility companies – to help make switching to solar power more financially viable and accessible.These incentives normally include cash rebates, tax breaks and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut how much you end up spending on going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. For detailed information about local incentives, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Tolono
There are a few key reasons why people are interested in solar energy: to help their wallet and the environment.But how much can switching to solar actually affect the environment? An important thing to be mindful of is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute, your footprint may be greater, so switching to solar energy for your house can help offset that.Because solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they’re a good substitute for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other benefits besides saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the planet too.
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 Tolono, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installer in Tolono?
The top local solar company in Tolono is SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC, with a rating of 4.80 stars.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 16.4 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When should I install solar panels?
Although summer is the most common time people install solar panels, the perfect time is actually winter. You can save money since there's less demand during the winter months, and it allows you to be up and running with solar for the higher power bills you may get during the summer.
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.