Solar Installation Company serving
Champaign, IL
Champaign, Illinois residents have a choice in their energy source for their homes, and now more than ever solar is an affordable option. With federal and state incentives lowering the solar PV system cost by up to 65%, solar energy is an attractive investment in your home. Our solar installation company has served Champaign and the nearby towns of Urbana, Rantoul, Decatur, and Danville for many years, starting with our participation in Grow Solar Urbana-Champaign in 2015. We are proud to have helped homeowners and businesses in Central Illinois choose solar energy for their electricity supply.
StraightUp Solar has installed over 2,800 solar arrays under the same ownership for over a decade. Our licensed professionals manage every step of your project, from design to build to maintenance and beyond.
You can secure your energy rates and provide a cleaner energy future for your Champaign neighbors by going solar today. Request a free quote for your custom solar solution!
Champaign, IL
Commercial Solar
StraightUp Solar’s commercial solar installers work with small and large businesses across all sectors, such as industrial and manufacturing, government entities, nonprofit organizations, schools, and agriculture. We can pass any test Champaign businesses place in front of us.
StraightUp Solar’s commercial solutions are grid-tied, meaning they connect to your utility’s meter for seamless and safe electrical use. Your business operations will smoothly run when the sun shines through the night. With a solar PV system, the solar energy goes to your building first with any excess energy sent out to the grid. By generating your own power during the day instead of receiving electricity from the utility, your business can lower its electricity costs.
Our interactive infographic explains how a commercial solar system works for your business.
How it Works
Click on the numbers from our interactive graphic to see how solar energy works for your commercial and industrial building.
1. Solar Array
Your business’ solar panels use the sun’s energy
to produce direct current (DC) electricity
2. Inverter & AC Panel
The inverter converts the DC electricity to alternating
current (AC) electricity and sends it to your standard AC
electrical panel.
3. Utility Meter
Solar electricity used by your business is electricity you do
not purchase from the utility grid.
4. Electric Grid
Your solar system works in coordination with the utility
grid. Any demand that is not met by your solar array
is supplied by the grid. Any excess solar electricity that
is not used at your facility will be sent to the grid.
5. Monitoring
Track your system’s production using an online
monitoring portal which is linked directly from your
inverter.
Why Should Your Company
Switch to Solar?
There are several advantages for businesses owners in Champaign to switch to solar:
Savings
When you own your power, you can effectively budget your energy costs. A solar PV system enables your business to control power generation and lock in energy rates, avoiding ever-rising utility costs. The money saved with solar increases your cash flow to invest in your operations.
Reliability
Solar PV systems can produce energy for over 25 years with very little maintenance. Manufacturer warranties and our service team’s operations & maintenance will keep you running during the long life of the system. Solar is a low-risk, long-term investment with a sunny ROI!
Sustainability
An investment in solar energy demonstrates your commitment to a cleaner future for your business and for the greater Champaign community. The all-natural energy produced by your solar panels generates no emmissions.. EV charging stations can be coupled with a solar PV system to provide clean energy transportation for your fleet and employees.
Commercial Solar Incentives for
Champaign Businesses
Our trained staff will assist you in accessing the broad portfolio of federal and state incentives for solar. These incentives include:
Companies whose solar systems were “placed in service” between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2032, can receive 30% of the complete system cost back as a credit against their total tax liability for that year. Good news for nonprofits and government entities! Thanks to the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act, solar energy has become more affordable for nonprofit and government organizations with the Direct Pay of the Federal Investment Tax Credit. This new feature of the tax credit allows non-tax-paying entities to receive the full value of the tax credit by making the 30% refundable. Learn more! You may also be eligible for additional tax incentives if your business resides within low-income or former coal communities. *Note: We are not tax professionals, please consult with your tax advisor about how this credit can work for your business.
Illinois Solar Renewable Energy Credits allow you to recover 30-35% of your original solar system cost with cash payments upfront or over seven years, depending on system size.
Learn more about Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs).
Your Champaign business could recoup approximately 12-25% of the original system cost through this incentive.
Learn more about MACRS & Bonus Depreciation.
The Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program helps make solar installations more affordable for critical service providers in income-eligible and environmental justice communities. You may be eligible if you operate as a nonprofit or religious organization.
Learn more about Illinois Solar for All.
Commercial, industrial, and nonprofit organizations within Ameren Illinois and ComEd utility territories can leverage a $250/kW direct current smart inverter rebate.
Learn more about the $250/kW Smart Inverter Rebate.
Illinois businesses in Ameren Illinois or ComEd utility territories can receive a $250 per kWh rebate. Strict qualifications are required – we can help.
Learn more about the Illinois Solar Battery Rebate.
You can also finance your solar investment with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) or lease. Through this agreement, a third-party investor installs and owns the solar system on your property and leverages the available state and federal incentives. Take our business quiz to see how much you can save!
Residential Solar Installation in
Champaign, IL
While it all starts with the sun, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system requires several connected components working like a symphony to provide electricity to your home. Modules (i.e., solar panels) made of silicon and electrical circuits absorb the sun’s energy during the day.
The sun’s power frees up electrons that move through the module’s circuits into wires. These module wires are connected together into solar arrays and wired to an inverter. An inverter transforms the direct energy from the sun into usable, alternating direct current electricity to power air conditioning, appliances, and more.
When your solar PV system generates more energy than needed to power your home, the excess energy exits to the utility’s grid. This excess solar energy can be used by your neighbors. In return, the utility company gives you a credit to use during the night hours through net metering. You can track this process and system performance online anytime.
Check out our interactive graphic to view the residential solar process step-by-step.
How it Works
Use our interactive graphic to learn more about how solar can work for your home.
1. Solar Array
The sun's rays hit your solar panels and generate
direct current electricity
2. Inverter
An inverter changes this direct current electricity
to alternating current and it's ready for use in
your home
3. Excess Solar Electricity
Anytime you produce more than you use, the
excess is shared with your utility
4. Net Metering Credits
In exchange, your utility gives you a credit to use
when the sun is down
5. Monitoring
You can even go online to track your solar
energy production
Benefits of
Residential Solar
in Champaign, IL
Champaign, IL homeowners enjoy several benefits when choosing solar:
Affordability
The Federal Investment Tax Credit and Illinois Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) are incentives that make solar even more affordable, reducing the cost of solar by up to 65%. After your installation is running, you lock in energy costs and protect against the always-rising utility bills.
Resiliency
A solar PV system can be connected to an battery storage system to run your home’s essential loads running when the power grid goes down. Consider pairing your battery + storage solution with a smart panel for complete energy control. You can be confident that our ongoing service will keep your system running strong.
Environmental Awareness
Choosing solar energy means reducing your home’s environmental impact. Relying on the natural, abundant, and constant energy of the sun means less reliance on fossil fuels for electricity. Your actions make a difference in our world.
Increased Home Value
The solar PV system generates cash flow for your home through lower energy bills from your own energy source. These savings add immediate value to your home. Studies have shown home with solar sell for more than traditionally-powered homes. Learn more about the added value of solar with Pearl certification.
Solar Incentives for
Homeowners in Champaign, IL
Champaign area homeowners can save up to 65% with incentives and rebates. The experts at our solar installation company can assist you in leveraging these residential incentives.
Champaign area homeowners whose systems were “placed in service” between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2032, receive a 30% non-refundable federal tax credit against their total liability for the year of installation.
*Note: We are not tax experts, so please consult your tax advisor to see how this tax credit can work for you.
Read more about the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit.
Illinois homeowners in Ameren Illinois or ComEd utility territories can receive a $300 per kWh rebate. For the typical home battery installation, that could translate to $4,000. Strict qualifications are required – we can help.
Learn more about the Illinois Solar Battery Rebate.
Illinois homeowners can recover 20-30% of the original system cost with cash payments upfront or over five years, depending on system size, from the Illinois Power Agency.
Learn more about Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs).
The Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) program helps make solar more affordable for income-eligible households and organizations through state incentives.
Learn more about Illinois Solar for All.
You can spread out your payments for a solar PV system though a loan with the Clean Energy Credit Union or your home equity line of credit. Whatever method you choose, there are numerous ways to save, and our solar installation company serving Champaign, IL, can help. Take our quiz below to see if your home is a prime candidate for solar.
Is My Home Good for Solar?
Our handy two-minute quiz helps you determine whether your home is a good fit for solar. Everyone’s situation is different, and we appreciate the opportunity to learn about your unique interest in solar!
Choose Our
Solar Installation Company Serving
Champaign, IL
We are your full-service, turn-key EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) solar partner. Our dedicated electricians, North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)-certified technicians, and professional installers are committed to your success.
Our CLEARE values influence everything we do. We have been a Certified Benefit Corporation (B Corp), since 2015. Unique in the business world, B Corps commit to high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. When you choose our solar installation company staffed by residents from your community, you can be confident that we will prioritize People and Planet.
As the premier solar installation company serving Champaign, IL, StraightUp Solar provides upfront and transparent cost-benefit analysis and financing plans to ensure solar meets your needs. Our custom designs reflect your wants, needs, goals, and constraints, giving you the information to make a confident decision.
