12 Best Solar Companies in Urbana, IL (2023 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Urbana based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Urbana, IL
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Urbana homeowner saves $1,171/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 2023

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 Urbana

Looking for the top solar companies in Urbana? Installing solar panels is an exciting venture that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. The average home can save $14,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be even higher overall.

There are so many installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Urbana. Read on to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or connect with a highly rated solar company near you right away by clicking the button below.

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 Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Urbana

Best National Provider
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

SunPower

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Best Solar Financing
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EcoWatch Rating

4.5/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Blue Raven Solar

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://blueravensolar.com/
Best Warranty Coverage
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Sunpro Solar

  • Pros icon Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.gosunpro.com/
Best for Leasing
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Sunrun

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.sunrun.com/
Best Social Impact
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Palmetto Solar

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Pros icon Certified B Corp
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs
  • Con icon Quality of installation may vary by location

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
  • Service icon Maintenance & Repairs

Website: https://palmetto.com/
Best Technology
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EcoWatch Rating

3.2/5

Average Cost

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Tesla Energy

  • Pros icon Price-match guarantee
  • Pros icon Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Pros icon Best solar battery on the market
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://www.tesla.com/energy
Best Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

New Prairie Construction Company

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Recognized Excellence
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon End-to-end services
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: http://newprairieconstruction.com/
Address: Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: 605EMainSt
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

New Prairie Solar

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: https://www.newprairiesolar.com/
Address: Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: 2175300270
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Solar Energy Solutions

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Integrated roofing

Website: https://www.sesre.com/
Address: Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 3177076410
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Clean Power Consulting Group

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: http://www.cleanpower.group/
Address: Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: 2175599604
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Harvest Solar

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: https://harvestsolar.com/
Address: Champaign, IL 61822
Phone: 8889076527
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Wellspring Components LLC

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Family-Operated Business
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: http://www.wellspringsolar.com/
Address: Arthur, IL 61911
Phone: 2172082498

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Urbana

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Urbana 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 Urbana


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 Urbana

Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your panels. The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few important factors such as:

  • Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 30% of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $14,000 over 20 years with your solar panels, too.
  • Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof receives, which helps determine how many panels you need.
  • The kind of solar panels you want to get: More high-tech panels are more expensive, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
  • How much energy your household consumes: Homes that use plenty of energy each month may require more solar panels and, therefore, be more expensive, but will also enjoy more savings over time.

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

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Solar Incentives in Urbana

Because solar power is better for the environment than traditional energy sources, there are various government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch. In addition to the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some local incentives, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can benefit from.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Urbana

If you're planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the principal reasons why may be to reduce your carbon footprint. You may be trying to figure out — how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? As reported by the EPA, electricity generation is the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help lower that number in a city like Urbana that generates a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Because solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they're a good swap for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. The advantages of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many Urbana residents have been happy with using solar energy.

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 Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's Urbana, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the best solar panel installation company in Urbana?

The best local solar company in Urbana is Mobius Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

The advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, in some cases, entirely cut your electricity bills, raise your home's value and lower your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save a lot if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 13.1 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.

How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?

Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to cover their energy needs.

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.