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
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Average Urbana homeowner saves $1,171/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Urbana
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
New Prairie Construction Company
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- End-to-end services
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
New Prairie Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
Solar Energy Solutions
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
Clean Power Consulting Group
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
Harvest Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Wellspring Components LLC
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Family-Operated Business
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
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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To see how much you can help the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Urbana, IL.
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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 Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- 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.