11 Best Solar Companies in Wilmington, IL (Mar 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 11 in Wilmington based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Best solar companies in Wilmington
When deciding on the best solar installers, Wilmington homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be a lot to consider, but we're here to make switching to solar power that much easier. Because solar panels produce their own power, they can vastly reduce your electricity bill each month, if not totally eliminate it. In fact, you could end up with about $13,000 of savings over 20 years.
In this article, we'll help you narrow in on the top options in your area. To get an estimate of what it could cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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 Wilmington
Local Service
SunRise Solar Attic Fans
-
Educational sales approach - Assists with maximizing rebate
- Family owned and operated
- Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services - Solar Panels
Local Service
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Solar Werks LLC - Solar Panel Installation
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
360 Electric Heating/Cooling
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Porter Electric LLC
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solar Panther
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solar Shield
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Local Service
SOLAR PANTHER
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Earth Wind & Solar Energy LLC
- Locally owned and operated
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Fresh Coast Solar, LLC
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
FreeWorld Solar
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
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 Wilmington
For many homeowners, the decision to invest in a solar energy system depends the most on the cost. Some important factors that dictate how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won't be able to produce as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electricity bills than a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Your income and budget: This shapes what model of solar panels you can purchase.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. Additionally, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Your power bills: This will dictate your savings. In Wilmington, the average homeowner can save about $900 a year on their electricity bills.
Though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the angle of your roof and incentives.
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Adopting a sustainable source of energy can considerably impact both the environment and your power bills. To see how much, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Wilmington, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Wilmington
There are many reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them consists of some government incentives you can take advantage of. State and city solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Wilmington
One of the reasons so many homeowners are considering going solar is to help lower their environmental impact. Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Wilmington, though. Everyone can help the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that use lots of energy will have an even bigger impact. Once you go solar, your carbon footprint can be lowered by about 90 pounds each year. For people who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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 Wilmington, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
In Wilmington, SunRise Solar Attic Fans is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 13.6 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
What is the best kind of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more costly. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can't, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and how much energy generation you want.
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.