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10 Best Solar Companies in Bloomington, IL

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated April 2024

Year after year, more Bloomington homeowners use rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Adopting solar energy can allow you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar providers and compiled a guide to the best solar companies in Bloomington. These trusted providers are reliable options known for their quality services.

Our Recommended Providers

Top Pick
4.7/5
  • High-quality Maxeon solar panels
  • Nearly 30 years in business
  • Great customer service
Best Financing Options
4.3/5
  • BluePower Plus+ financing program
  • Good selection of quality panels
  • Most affordable options
Best Solar Panel Leasing
4.2/5
  • Long warranty options
  • Insurance available on panels
  • Free Tesla Power Wall maintenance

Top 10 Best Solar Companies in Bloomington

SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC

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301 S Quincy St, Towanda, IL 61776 (309) 231-3138 legacysolarpower.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Panel installation
Financing assistance

Sunrun Solar

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688 High Point Ln, East Peoria, IL 61611 (833) 324-5886 sunrun.com

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Services Offered

Consultation
Grid-tied solar system
Battery storage
Skilled repairs
Panel installation
Cleaning and maintenance
Permit assistance

StraightUp Solar of Bloomington

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505 N Main St Suite A, Bloomington, IL 61701 (309) 260-2663 straightupsolar.com

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Services Offered

Cleaning and maintenance
Panel installation
Financing assistance
Consultation
Battery storage
Grid-tied solar system

Nelnet Renewable Energy

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4109 Oakland Ave Unit B, Bloomington, IL 61704 (888) 202-5630 nelnetenergy.com

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Services Offered

Battery storage
Cleaning and maintenance
Consultation
Financing assistance
Panel installation

Halo Solar LLC

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7 Legacy Dr, Goodfield, IL 61742 (309) 740-7861 halosolar.net

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Panel installation

SOLAR PANTHER

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4703 North Ellen Court, Peoria Heights, IL 61616 (309) 886-6830 thesolarpanther.com

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Battery storage
Grid-tied solar system
Skilled repairs
Consultation
Cleaning and maintenance
Permit assistance
Financing assistance
Panel installation

Sun Collectors

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4507 N Sterling Ave #400, Peoria, IL 61615 (309) 300-3875 suncollectors.solar

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Consultation
System decommissioning
Panel installation
Cleaning and maintenance
Grid-tied solar system

ROUTE 66 SOLAR

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2619 W Heading Ave Suite 314, West Peoria, IL 61604 (309) 336-7394 route66solar.com

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Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Panel installation
Financing assistance
Grid-tied solar system
System decommissioning

Harvest Solar

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2901 Boardwalk Dr Suite E – H, Champaign, IL 61822 (888) 907-6527 harvestsolar.com

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Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Consultation
Panel installation
Financing assistance
Permit assistance

SunSent Solar

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150 Lewis Park Dr Suite H, Mt Zion, IL 62549 (217) 859-7080 sunsent.com

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Consultation
Panel installation
Battery storage
Skilled repairs
Financing assistance
Cleaning and maintenance
Today's Homeowner Ranking Methodology

Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:

  • Company Experience
  • Real User Reviews
  • Company Reputation
  • Accreditations and Licenses
  • Service Area
  • Customer Service
Have questions about our methodology or company ratings? Reach out to FindAPro@TodaysHomeowner.com.

How To Choose a Solar Company

Adopting solar power lets homeowners cut utility bills while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re evaluating if you want to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.

Check Licensing

It's imperative that your solar installer has the proper licensing. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission issues licenses to distributed generation energy contractors, including residential solar contractors.

Read Customer Reviews

Check TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar providers. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a provider's trustworthiness and customer service. Stay away from providers with few or mainly poor reviews.

Compare Multiple Quotes

Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. The quotes should describe all costs and identify the solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the best value for your budget.

Ask About the Warranty

Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation problems such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. The performance warranty promises a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Solar energy can help reduce your electricity costs long-term. When evaluating solar panel's cost and value, be sure to consider these considerations.

  • Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal tax credit for the full solar system cost is available through 2032. Many states offer incentives, too. The credits can result in substantial savings for solar buyers.
  • Compare system purchase options: Homeowners can pay for solar panels upfront or spread out payments over time with a lease or loan. Be sure to check key details like payment schedule, fees, annual percentage rate (APR), and what ownership means when financing solar panels.
  • Look into utility rebates: Local utility companies may offer additional rebates to encourage homeowners to install solar panels. Check the requirements to qualify and the rebate values with your local electric company to determine what you could save.

Cost of Solar Installation in Bloomington

The cost of home solar panels in Bloomington depends on several factors, including the area and generating capacity of your panel array and the type of solar technology being used. Generally speaking, a typical solar energy system will cost $3,760 per kilowatt, not including labor, permit fees, or preliminary work. Most solar systems in Bloomington are 6.3 kilowatts, and the typical Bloomington homeowners spends $16,692 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer leasing their solar panels to reduce upfront costs.

Bloomington Solar Incentives Guide

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

Varies

Incentive Type: Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program

Website: icc.illinois.gov

Incentive Amount:

Negotiated with procurement administrators

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: powermoves.com

Incentive Amount:

Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $500
Variable Speed Pool Pump: $250
Air-Source Heat Pump: $250 - $750
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400/unit
HVAC: Varies depending on ZIP code. See program website

Incentive Type: Rebate Program

Website: cornbeltenergy.com

Incentive Amount:

Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $500/unit
Pool Pump: $250/unit
Air Source Heat Pump: $250 - $750/unit
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400/unit
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,500/unit

Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit

Website: ecowatch.com

Incentive Amount:

30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Bloomington, IL

A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar water heating system.

There are many benefits to home solar energy. You can save money, qualify for tax benefits, and raise your property values. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.

It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Bloomington, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.

Yes. Bloomington uses an equal mixture of solar energy and conventional power sources. While your panels at home will lower your home's emissions and provide cost savings, you'll still benefit from access to the local grid.

Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, their rated capacity, and the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power. Bloomington gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 18.0 years per 5 kW of capacity.

The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. Full-service solar contractors in the Bloomington area offer multipoint maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.

Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your state or utility offers net metering, you can send the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.

Yes, solar panels can still supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system is able to keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider and look for a solar system that includes a battery backup.

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