7 Best Solar Companies in Salem, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 7 in Salem based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Salem, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Salem homeowner saves $1,292/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Salem
When choosing between the best solar companies, Salem homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we’re here to make adopting solar power that much easier. Solar panels can be expensive, but switching to solar will save you money on your power bills over time. In fact, you can expect to save about $15,000 over 20 years.
To help you sort through the huge variety of Salem solar installers, we’ve come up with a list of the top ones.To get an estimate of how much it would cost to put 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 Salem
Purcell Electric Company Inc
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Family-Operated Business
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Skilled Repairs- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Route 66 Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
AES Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Tick Tock Energy, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Sonne Energy Solutions, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Pyramid Electrical Contractors, Inc.
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
StraightUp Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Salem
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Salem 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 Salem
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 Salem
We understand that for many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar comes down to installation costs.Some main factors that dictate the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, lets you deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $15,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- How much electricity your home consumes: Households that consume a lot of power each month may require more solar panels and, therefore, be more expensive, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Salem gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your electricity bills will be.
Because of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Salem
Switching to solar power has plenty of great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the Earth, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives.On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Salem
A lot of people want to do what they can to help protect the environment, which in many cases is the main reason for installing a solar system.Something many might be wondering about is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power anyway? A significant thing to keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if your commute is very long, your footprint may be greater, so adopting solar energy for your house can help offset that.Because solar panels don’t release CO2 emissions into the atmosphere when generating 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. If you care about the environment, you’ll likely get that there are many good things about adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is invaluable.
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 Salem, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installation company in Salem?
The highest-rated local solar company in Salem is Purcell Electric Company Inc, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your power bills, it’s environmentally friendly, and it provides a good return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, the installation cost is pricey and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a great investment for a majority of homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What are the different types of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also cost more. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other kinds can’t, like 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.