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10 Best Solar Companies in Cincinnati, IL

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated April 2024

Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Cincinnati residents. Making the transition to solar energy can allow you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on providers, we compiled a guide to the most reliable solar companies in Cincinnati. These providers have a reputation for high-quality service.

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 Cincinnati

SunPower by Legacy Solar, LLC

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

Informative resources

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Panel installation

Sunrun Solar

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

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

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

ROUTE 66 SOLAR

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

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

System decommissioning
Financing assistance
Panel installation
Grid-tied solar system

Sun Collectors

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

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Services Offered

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

SOLAR PANTHER

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

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

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

Halo Solar LLC

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

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Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Panel installation

StraightUp Solar of Bloomington

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

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Free quotes

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

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

Nelnet Renewable Energy

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

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Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Financing assistance
Consultation
Cleaning and maintenance
Battery storage
Panel installation

Skydrop Energy

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24049 Burr Oaks Ln, Athens, IL 62613 (217) 556-9269 skydropenergy.com

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Informative resources

Services Offered

Panel installation
Consultation
Cleaning and maintenance
Permit assistance

IQ Group Inc

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3888 N Peoria Rd, Springfield, IL 62702 (217) 219-6006 iqgroup.us

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Services Offered

Permit assistance
Cleaning and maintenance
Panel installation
Consultation
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

Installing solar panels can cut your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is right for you, consider these key factors.

Check Licensing

Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This ensures that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission issues licenses to distributed generation energy contractors, including solar installers.

Read Customer Reviews

Check consumer review platforms like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with providers that have hardly any reviews or mostly negative ones.

Compare Multiple Quotes

Get free, detailed quotes from 3–5 solar companies. The quotes should list 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

Top-notch solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers installation issues, such as poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Installing solar panels can help decrease your electric bills over time. When evaluating the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.

  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels may be paid for outright or financed over time through a loan or lease. Verify all terms when financing, including payment schedule, annual percentage rate (APR), fees, and ownership implications.
  • Research federal and state tax credits: A 26% federal tax credit for the full solar system cost is available through 2032. Many states provide incentives, too. The credits can result in substantial savings for solar buyers.
  • Look into utility rebates: Local power companies may have extra discounts to motivate homeowners to adopt solar power. Review the qualification rules and rebate amounts with your local provider to calculate your potential savings.

Cost of Solar Installation in Cincinnati

In Cincinnati, solar panels cost an average of $3,760 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 6.4 kilowatts. The typical Cincinnati homeowner spends $16,749 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will consider additional information reflecting your desired system's capacity, size, required preliminary work, and panel type. In some cases, homeowners may prefer leasing solar panels to reduce upfront costs.

Cincinnati 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: 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 Cincinnati, IL

A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system 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 a number of advantages of home solar energy. You can raise your property values, reduce emissions, and qualify for tax benefits. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you further energy independence and offer some protection from power outages.

It depends on your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Cincinnati, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.

Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Cincinnati amount to $928.

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

Although solar energy is a valuable option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.

Yes, solar panels will still be able to provide you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system can keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.

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