Solar Panels

Solar Energy in Illinois

Lower your bills and help protect our state’s natural resources—solar energy makes this possible.

Now is the perfect time to add solar paneling to your Springfield home. Illinois wants to produce 25 percent of its electricity from renewable resources by 2025—the state is offering plenty of financial incentives to help offset the cost of installation. Plus, you can take advantage of federal tax breaks.

MB Heating and Cooling has been creating healthy homes and businesses in Central Illinois since 1986. Our team of NATE-certified technicians receives continual training to stay up to date with the latest trends in our industry. We have the expertise and tools to get the job done right.

From solar paneling to the latest indoor air quality technology, let’s create a cleaner future for everyone to enjoy at an affordable cost. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation about incorporating green technology into your household.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels create electricity to help offset your monthly utility bill. The higher your electric costs, the more you’ll benefit from solar energy.

How do they work? Sunlight hits the solar panels installed on the roof of a home or business, creating an electric field. The electricity generated from this field flows into a conductive wire that travels to an inverter.

The inverter converts the electricity from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current) for use in your house or business. Once converted, the electricity runs through your electrical panel to power your appliances, laptops, and other devices. A meter keeps tabs on how much electricity you produce.

The bulk of your costs with solar systems is in the installation and purchase of panels—and you can offset these expenses through tax incentives. Once the panels are in place, the savings can begin.

Solar panels are exceptionally durable and able to withstand our harsh winters here in Illinois. Plus, the cost of going solar has steadily dropped over the past decade, making it an easy and affordable choice to incorporate green technology into your lifestyle.

Solar Paneling FAQ

Adding solar paneling to your home is a big investment, and you probably have questions about the costs and payback period. Your best bet is to schedule a free consultation with our expert solar paneling team at MB Heating & Cooling.

Here are some frequently asked questions about solar paneling to get you started on your journey.

Is the Midwest sunny enough for solar?

Yes. Although Illinois doesn’t receive as much sunshine as California or Florida, the payback period solar paneling makes it a sensible investment to help offset your electricity bills.

How big of a solar system do I need?

How much electricity do you consume? That’s the first factor to consider. The size of your roof will also impact the size of the solar system you can have. The solar industry uses “kilowatts” to measure the size of a system. Most single-family homes need a system that can generate 4 to 10 kilowatts to produce 80 to 100 percent of the energy they consume.

Can solar paneling work on a historic home?

Absolutely. Innovations in the HVAC industry allow us to integrate the latest technology with any existing building. Our goal is to find a spot on your roof that receives plenty of exposure to sunlight.

Will I need a new roof to install solar panels?

Not necessarily. Solar paneling will last a long time—more than 30 years in most cases. If your roof is at the end of its service life, it makes the most sense to replace the roof before installing the panels.

Does my home need to face a certain direction for solar panels?

Homes facing due south receive the most exposure to sunlight—but solar panels facing east or west receive more than enough sunlight to justify your expense.

If your home is surrounded by large shady trees, finding the right spot for your panels becomes more of a challenge. It is possible to install panels on other areas of your property that receive maximum exposure to sunlight.

What maintenance is involved with solar panels?

Hardly any. We recommend allowing our team to inspect the panels once a year to ensure everything is operating correctly and check for loose connections. Otherwise, these systems are incredibly reliable and easy to maintain.

Illinois wants to produce 25 percent of its electricity from renewable resources by 2025, making this a great time to enhance your Springfield home with solar paneling. You can make the transition with little to no money down and enjoy monthly solar payments that are lower than your budget for electricity.

And because this is a greener form of energy, you’ll qualify for federal and state tax incentives.

MB Heating and Cooling has been creating healthy homes and businesses in Central Illinois since 1986. Our team of NATE-certified technicians receives continual training to stay up to date with the latest trends in our industry. We have the expertise and tools to get the job done right.

From solar paneling to the latest indoor air quality technology, let’s create a cleaner future for everyone to enjoy at an affordable cost. Call us today or contact us online today for a free consultation about incorporating green technology into your Springfield household.

How Do Solar Panels Work?

Solar panels create electricity to help offset your monthly utility bill. The higher your electric bill, the more you’ll benefit from solar energy.

How do they work? Sunlight hits the solar panels installed on the roof of a home or business, creating an electric field. The electricity generated from this field flows into a conductive wire that travels to an inverter.

The inverter converts the electricity from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current) for use in your house or business. Once converted, the electricity runs through your electrical panel to power your appliances, laptops, and other devices. A meter keeps tabs on how much electricity you produce.

The bulk of your costs with solar systems is in the installation and purchase of panels—and you can offset these expenses through tax incentives. Once the panels are in place, the savings can begin.

Solar panels are exceptionally durable and able to withstand our harsh winters here in Illinois. Plus, the cost of going solar has steadily dropped over the past decade, making it an easy and affordable choice to incorporate green technology into your lifestyle.

Things to Consider When Going Solar

You may be wondering if solar paneling works with some of our older historic homes here in Springfield. The answer is yes! Innovations and advancements in the heating and cooling industry allow us to integrate the latest technology with our existing buildings.

More sunlight creates more electricity with a solar system. We'll need to find a spot on your roof that receives plenty of exposure to the sun.

Solar paneling will last a long time—more than 30 years in most cases. If your roof is at the end of its service life, it makes sense to replace it before installing the solar paneling.

While Springfield homes with roofs facing due south receive the most exposure from sunlight, solar panels facing east or west receive more than enough sunlight to justify the investment.

The average payback period for going solar in the United States is around eight years. Installing solar paneling adds market value to your property—but will not increase your property taxes in Illinois.

Solar Panel Tax Credits in Central Illinois

Homeowners in Illinois who install solar paneling are eligible for several state and federal tax incentives:

• Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit: Earn a 26 percent federal tax credit for residential solar systems installed by December 31, 2022
• The Illinois Net Metering Policy: Your local utility will buy back any excess electricity your solar system produces
• The Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems: Solar paneling adds value to your home, but this program means you will be taxed as if the panels were not even there

MB Heating & Cooling will gladly assist you with any paperwork for rebates and incentives. We want to make it easy for you to save as much money as possible.

Solar Panel Installation

Our team of licensed professionals can install, replace, repair, and maintain solar paneling for your home or business. Go with a company that understands these systems and has years of experience working with this technology.

Plus, we offer convenient financing to help you create a healthy home for yourself and your loved ones. We’ll let you know right away if you’re approved.

Solar Panel Repairs

These panels are resistant to the worst weather. On the rare occasion you experience a problem with a panel or the controls, give us a call. Our certified repair team will provide you with an accurate, upfront quote before we begin any work.

Solar Panel Maintenance

You can count on us to maintain your solar paneling, along with all your plumbing and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. We offer a customized service agreement plan designed to fit your budget and needs.

Call Us Today About Solar Panels

Renewable energy can have a significant impact on our lives and the environment. Our knowledgeable and friendly pros at MB Heating and Cooling can answer all your questions about solar paneling and how it can benefit your Springfield, IL, home. Call us today at 217-544-4328 or request service online.