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10 Best Solar Companies in Columbia, IL

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Written By David Cusick

Last Updated February 2024

Every year, more Columbia residents adopt rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Transitioning to solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and shrink your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. Luckily, we've done the research and compiled a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation providers in Columbia.

Our Recommended Providers

Best Overall
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 Columbia

Streib Company

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9225 Watson Industrial Park, St. Louis, MO 63126 (314) 487-7474 streibco.com

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

Full-service
Residential panels
Commercial panels

five stars electric and solar LLC

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3725 michigan ave Chesterfield Missouri Fenton Missouri University City, 3725 Michigan Ave, St. Louis, MO 63118 (314) 685-7515 five-stars-electric-and-solar-llc.business.site

Prompt service delivery

Clear pricing policy

Reliable customer support

Free quotes

Services Offered

Residential panels

Solar city stl

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3636 S Geyer Rd #100, St. Louis, MO 63127 (636) 515-4895 solarcitystl.com

Prompt service delivery

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Services Offered

Consultation
Maintenance
Residential panels
Battery storage
Permit assistance
Financing assistance
Commercial panels

Astrawatt Solar

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222 S Meramec Ave Suite 202-1100, St. Louis, MO 63105 (877) 937-4786 astrawatt.solar

Informative resources

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Services Offered

Consultation
Tesla powerwall
Residential panels

Pyramid Electrical Contractors, Inc.

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300 Monticello Pl, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 (618) 632-1180 pyramidelectrical.com

Services Offered

Residential panels
Maintenance
Ev charger
Full-service
Commercial panels
Emergency services
Skilled repairs

EFS Energy

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1283 Research Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63132 (314) 771-5131 efsenergy.com

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Free quotes

Services Offered

Residential panels
Financing assistance
Maintenance
Commercial panels
Consultation

StraightUp Solar of St. Louis

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11696 Lilburn Park Rd, St. Louis, MO 63146 (314) 218-2663 straightupsolar.com

Informative resources

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Free quotes

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Battery storage
Maintenance
Ev charger
Residential panels
Tesla powerwall

Solar Luxury LLC

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11252 Midland Blvd Apt 106, St. Louis, MO 63114 (314) 337-7071 solarluxurystl.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Skilled repairs
Residential panels
Consultation
Off-grid solar systems
System decommissioning

Purelight Power of St. Louis

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12747 Olive Blvd Suite 302, St. Louis, MO 63141 (314) 582-6129 purelightpower.com

Informative resources

Free quotes

Reliable customer support

Clear pricing policy

Services Offered

Consultation
Financing assistance
Permit assistance
Commercial panels
Residential panels

Helio Solar Power, LLC.

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119 S Main St, St Charles, MO 63301 (888) 424-3546 heliosolarpower.com

Clear pricing policy

Informative resources

Free quotes

Prompt service delivery

Reliable customer support

Services Offered

Commercial panels
Solar carports
Skilled repairs
Financing assistance
Maintenance
Battery storage
Residential panels
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

Going solar can be a great way to lower electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when evaluating if a solar installer is reliable.

Check Licensing

Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission regulates distributed generation energy contractors, including solar contractors.

Read Customer Reviews

Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers say about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Be cautious of companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.

Compare Multiple Quotes

To find a solar installer that fits your budget, get free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the option that best fits your budget.

Ask About the Warranty

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

Evaluate Financing and Incentives

Solar energy can help you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.

  • Look into utility rebates: More discounts might be available from electric companies looking to encourage homeowners to install solar panels. Contact your local utility provider to learn rebate values and qualification criteria, so you can determine your possible savings.
  • Research federal and state tax credits: There’s a 26% federal tax credit available for the full cost of solar systems until 2032. Many states also offer incentives. The credits can add up to significant savings for solar buyers.
  • Compare system purchase options: Solar panels may be paid for outright or financed through leases or loans. Confirm important financing details such as payment schedule, annual percentage rate (APR), fees, and ownership implications when financing your solar system.

Cost of Solar Installation in Columbia

The cost of home solar panels in Columbia depends on several factors, including the size of the system and the type of solar technology being used. Generally speaking, a complete solar energy system will cost $3,760 per kilowatt, not including labor, preliminary work, or permit fees. Most solar systems in Columbia are 6.1 kilowatts, and the typical Columbia homeowners spends $15,978 after accounting for federal tax refunds. Some homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels and reduce upfront costs.

Columbia Solar Incentives Guide

Incentive Type: Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program

Website: icc.illinois.gov

Incentive Amount:

Negotiated with procurement administrators

Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive

Incentive Amount:

Varies

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 Columbia, IL

A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar water heating system.

With home solar energy, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.

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 Columbia, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.

Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, their rated capacity, and the average sunlight in your area. Columbia gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 16.0 years per 5 kW of capacity.

The specific required maintenance steps will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. At a minimum, you should clean and inspect each panel four times a year. Your solar installation company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance on your behalf.

Regarding taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. For insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should talk with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.

Some frequently-used types of home solar panels in Columbia include monocrystalline, thin-film and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while thin-film and polycrystalline panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Talk with your local provider about the types of solar panels they work with.

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