New Prairie aims to provide current information, which may change with state and federal law shifts.
This information was last updated in September 2026. 
WHY NEW PRAIRIE?
New Prairie Construction Co. was founded in Champaign-Urbana in 1988. Long committed to green building and renewable energy, New Prairie expanded into designing and installing solar systems in 2015 to answer the call for a reliable and local solar provider to service Central Illinois. Our solid construction background and building science knowledge bring a unique skill set and perspective to each solar PV project.
Choosing a local installer offers advantages when investing in a project of this scale. Not only do you support a locally owned business with a well-established reputation, but you also benefit from our local team. Our in-house team comprises NABCEP-certified installers, designers, and technicians, boasting over 30 years of combined experience in the industry.
Our mission is to combine high-tech and time-honored techniques that help our residential and commercial customers reduce their energy costs and environmental footprint through smart, cost-effective solar energy systems.
Avoid the hassle of dealing with sales companies that aren’t the real installers. Later, when you need service, that sales company isn’t likely to be around. Make the smart choice today!
FULLY INSURED, LICENSED, AND CERTIFIED:
A certificate of liability insurance is available for clients.
- IDFPR – Illinois Roofing License 104.004856
- ICC – Illinois Commerce Commission Solar DG Installer P2015-0452
- EPA – Lead-Safe Certified Firm, #NAT-37555-4
- Building Performance Institute (BPI) Energy Auditor ID #5068585
- OSHA-10, AED & CPR Training – All New Prairie employees receive safety training.
- NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners): The most recognized and esteemed certification the solar industry has to offer. Board Certified PV Design Specialist and Certified Photovoltaic Associates.
WHO HANDLES THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION?
Our qualified team may perform straight-forward connections. If your solar project requires new connections or a meter upgrade, Waters Electrical Contracting (217) 892-2396 is our long-standing, reputable, preferred electrical contractor. IL Electrical License #1600020096
WHAT IF I NEED A NEW ROOF OR REPAIRS?
A roof and structural assessment will be completed before roof mounted systems are installed. We can streamline roof repairs or replacement with White Roofing & Contracting (217) 688-2522 our long-standing, reputable, preferred roofing contractor. IL Roofing License #104.000576
WHO APPLIES FOR A PERMIT?
New Prairie will facilitate and assume the cost of the necessary permitting through the correct municipality, if applicable.
WHO CONTACTS THE UTILITY COMPANY?
New Prairie will handle correspondence and paperwork with your utility provider and cover interconnection fees. Your signature will be required as the system owner.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY SYSTEM IS WORKING?
Remote monitoring by New Prairie is included in our standard contracts. Homeowners can access system monitoring via an app or web portal. If the home is sold, monitoring transfers to the new owner. A secondary home monitoring system can be installed for added data monitoring.
WILL A ROOF-MOUNTED SYSTEM CAUSE DAMAGE?
Most residential rooftop solar panel installations require penetrations through the roof. The attachment feet that we use do not require lifting of the shingles, minimizing any changes to the integrity of your roof. Avoiding heat damage and working safely on asphalt shingle roof installations or repair requires adjustments to timing, handling, and tool use, as outlined by industry best practices.
WHEN WILL YOU BEGIN THE INSTALLATION?
On average, we have a lead time of 4-10 weeks.
WHAT IS YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE?
Daily arrival between 7 AM and 8 AM, finishing by 3 PM. During the hottest months, we will work on asphalt shingled roofs before temperatures peak over 90 degrees. Final electrical connections occur 1-10 days post-installation. Municipal and utility inspections may take up to two weeks, depending on the inspector’s individual schedules.
ARE YOU REACHABLE AFTER HOURS?
Not typically. Call to leave a voicemail or email us. If we’re unavailable during business hours, your concern or inquiry will be addressed promptly during the next business day.
WHAT ARE MY FINANCING OPTIONS?
Ask us about our partnership with Clean Energy Credit Union (CECU). Flexible term lengths available.
We also recommend contacting your personal bank or credit union for financing options. The following local places have offered solar-specific, home-equity loans (HELOC):
- CEFCU – (309) 633-4850
- IROQUOIS FEDERAL – (217) 359-6065
- U OF I CREDIT UNION – (217) 278-7700
WHAT ARE CURRENT INCENTIVES?
New Prairie aims to provide current information, which may change with state and federal law shifts. This information was last updated in March 2026.
FEDERAL TAX CREDIT – Commercial enterprises, small business, or a home-based business, you could be eligible for Federal Tax Credits. System installation deadline parameters apply. You or your hired tax professional are responsible for completing the necessary paperwork to receive this credit. Go to IRS.gov for more information.
DISCLAIMER: Not all customers are eligible for CEIC or FITC.
ILLINOIS SHINES – A cash incentive for solar systems installations offered for the delivery of renewable energy. New Prairie will assist with the application to procure SRECs, working with Carbon Solutions Group (CSG), an Approved Vendor that provides the payment. This program helps reduce the cost of your solar system, with minimal fees associated.
★ New Prairie’s clients benefit from lower vendor fees and lower collateral requirements due to our longstanding status and success within the program!
NET METERING – For qualifying Ameren customers, an exchange for excess energy your system produces, credits on your supply charges, (delivery charges are no longer included). For EIEC qualifying customers, excess energy is bought back at their on-peak wholesale energy rate.
WHAT IS NEW PRAIRIE’S INSTALL EXPERIENCE?
Over 4 mWh in Champaign, Coles, DeWitt, Douglas, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Macon, McLean, Moultrie, Piatt, and Vermillion counties since 2015.
STRANDED CUSTOMER / ORPHANED SYSTEM RESOURCE:
New Prairie offers repair and maintenance services for systems that we did not originally install. Over 200 systems maintenanced and repaired by New Prairie since 2024, in thirteen counties.
DOES NEW PRAIRIE OFFER CLIENT REFERENCES?
Clients have provided contact information for those seeking more assurance about their experiences. Client contacts are available upon request.
Here client reviews available. Consumer Protections Disclaimer:
Individual customers’ experience may differ. All testimonials are provided by actual New Prairie clients and have not gained any compensation for their testimonials.
WHAT IS NEW PRAIRIE’S FULL GUARANTEE / WARRANTY?
- 10-year Workmanship Warranty will cover issues that may have happened during the installation for up to 10 years after the installation.
- 5-year Service Warranty will cover any service fee for troubleshooting your system. If labor beyond troubleshooting is not under warranty, additional charges may apply.
- PV systems come with a manufacturer Product and Production Warranty.
WORKMANSHIP – All workmanship is warranted for a period of 10 years from the date of system commissioning. Warranty work will be done at the discretion of NPCC. Costs incurred for work beyond items expressed in a contract’s scope of work are not included in the workmanship warranty.
SERVICE – System error troubleshooting is warranted for a period of 5 years. If further labor and repairs are required after troubleshooting, additional service fees may apply. If a manufacturer’s warranty covers the additional labor and repairs, additional charges for work beyond troubleshooting will not occur. Labor that occurs beyond the duration of our standard service warranty will incur charges, including work that exceeds the manufacturer’s product reimbursement limit. At minimum, a standard base fee for non-warrantied solar service and maintenance will be invoiced.
MONITORING – All PV installations are monitored for system faults by our team. Monitoring is included to the client for a period of 25 years, or life cycle of the system, from the date of system commissioning. NPCC is not responsible for the data connectivity beyond the system gateway or other data connections provided by the homeowner or the Internet Service Provider. Connectivity-based service work is done at NPCC’s sole discretion and may be charged at NPCC’s standard per hour labor rate with a minimum service fee charge. Our monitoring service includes self-correction guidance, to help you avoid on-site technician’s service charges when applicable.
System fault monitoring is a service provided by NPCC and can be terminated at NPCC’s sole discretion for the following reasons:
- Monitoring capability is no longer provided by the solar inverter manufacturer or is converted to a paid service.
- The system owner becomes unresponsive to our inquiries or attempts to communicate for a period of 90 days.
- System property owner changes, and contact information is not updated with NPCC.
PRODUCT AND PRODUCTION –
- SolarEdge Inverters purchased through New Prairie Solar have a 25-year warranty. Why SolarEdge — Read Our Explanation Here!
- PV Modules vary by manufacturer – New Prairie prefers to use panels that carry a 25-year product and performance warranty.
- PV Roof Attachments have a 25-year leakproof warranty.