14 Best Solar Companies in Urbana, IL (Jan 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Urbana based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
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Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
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
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 Urbana

Mobius Solar
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Route 66 Solar
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Family owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Ryan Electrical Solutions
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Family owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

Ruby Electric Inc.
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Locally owned and operated
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

EFS Energy Inc
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

SunRise Solar Attic Fans
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Family owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

360 Electric Heating/Cooling
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Eagle Point Solar, LLC
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Porter Electric LLC
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels

Solar Panther
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Solar Panels

Solar Shield
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels

SOLAR PANTHER
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Commercial Solar Services

Green Alternatives Inc.
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Emergent Solar Energy
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
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
- 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
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
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 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.