15 Best Solar Companies in Waterloo, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Waterloo based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Waterloo, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Waterloo homeowner saves $1,314/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Waterloo
If you’re a home or business owner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in Waterloo, it can be challenging to narrow down which installer to go with. But, the process is worth it since switching to solar power is often a fantastic choice. One of the main reasons those living in Waterloo, where the average energy bill is pretty high, think about going solar is to lower their monthly bills.
There are lots of installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Waterloo.To get an estimate of what it could cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Waterloo
Streib Company
Clear Pricing Policy- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation
Astrawatt Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
StraightUp Solar of St. Louis
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
EFS Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
five stars electric and solar LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Route 66 Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Pyramid Electrical Contractors, Inc.
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Solar city stl
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
SunSent Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Solar Luxury LLC
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- System Decommissioning
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Purelight Power of St. Louis
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Helio Solar Power, LLC.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Carports
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
BKJ Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
AKA Solar LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Sustainable Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Waterloo
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Waterloo 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 Waterloo
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 Waterloo
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you first need to pay to install your system.A few key factors that influence the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $16,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can buy.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Waterloo uses a decent amount of, and consequently may save on their energy bills.
- Your power bills: This will determine your savings. In Waterloo, the average resident can save about $850 a year on their electricity bills.
Though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, like the size of your solar panel system and your local electricity rates.
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Solar Incentives in Waterloo
Because solar power is better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, there are a number of government incentives in place to encourage its adoption.These incentives mostly consist of cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can lower the cost you pay for installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% in some cases. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for in Waterloo.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Waterloo
There are a few big reasons why many people are considering solar energy: to help their wallet and the environment.You may be trying to figure out – how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? Your energy usage is a key factor to keep in mind. The more energy you use, the bigger your impact when you switch to solar energy.Because solar panels don’t release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good alternative to traditional energy sources. In fact, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 100 pounds each year. For those who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Waterloo, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in Waterloo?
In Waterloo, Streib Company is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.90 stars, so it's a good choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be harmful 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. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a large upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on how many watts of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average home will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.