15 Best Solar Companies in Kankakee, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Kankakee based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Kankakee, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Kankakee homeowner saves $1,173/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Kankakee
As a homeowner in Kankakee, you may be considering switching to solar and curious about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a fantastic choice since it has a lot of perks. Because solar panels generate their own power, they can vastly lower your electricity bill each month, if not fully eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $14,000 of savings over 20 years.
As you set out on your search for the best solar companies in Kankakee, you might see that there are a large number of providers to choose from. So, we’ve accumulated a curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To see how much you might pay to install a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the top solar companies in Kankakee by clicking the "get quote" button below.
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 Kankakee
Summit Solar
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Grid-Tied Solar System
Reficiency Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
B.T. Electric Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Solar Power Midwest LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
FreeWorld Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
YellowLite
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Solar Service Solutions LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
RxSun
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
Solar Joe's Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Community Solar Projects
- Permit Assistance
Greentech Renewables Chicago
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Windfree Solar Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Kankakee
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Kankakee 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 Kankakee
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 Kankakee
For lots of homeowners, whether or not to invest in solar panels depends the most on the cost.Some important things that impact the cost and possible savings include:
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t see much direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on energy bills than a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Incentives: Those who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $14,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
- Your household's power bills: Because of high monthly electricity bills in Kankakee, you could save about $1,200 a year with solar.
- Your income and budget: This affects what type of solar panels you can purchase.
Because of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as various solar incentives, they are a sound investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Kankakee
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is earning government incentives.There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn a decent amount of money back after installing solar panels. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Kankakee
One of the best reasons to embrace solar power is to decrease your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment.Something many might have in mind is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? How much energy you use is an important factor to consider. The more energy your home uses, the greater your impact when you switch to solar energy.If you go solar, your carbon emissions can be lowered by about 90 pounds every year. The good things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many Kankakee residents have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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 Kankakee, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Kankakee is Summit Solar, with a rating of 4.70 stars.
What are the biggest pros and cons of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your power bills, it’s a sustainable source of energy, and it can give you a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for lots of homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
Usually, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, which means they can convert that percentage of the sun’s energy into usable electricity.
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.