15 Best Solar Companies in Chicago, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Chicago based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Chicago, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Chicago homeowner saves $1,120/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Chicago
If you’re a homeowner looking to take advantage of the solar incentives in Chicago, it can be hard to narrow down which company to go with. But, it's worth it since adopting solar energy is typically a great idea. What's especially making many homeowners consider installing solar panels is their sizable energy bills that continue to increase each year.
Here, we’ll make a list of some of the top solar companies in Chicago to make your choice a little easier.To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Chicago, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Chicago
SunPower by Sun N Us
Clear Pricing Policy- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
FreeWorld Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
RxSun
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Windfree Solar Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Windy City Solar Group
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Fresh Coast Solar, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Atlas Solar Advisors
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
ENGIE North America
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Solar Installers Glenview
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Headline Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Chicago
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Chicago based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Chicago
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Illinois solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Chicago
The cost of putting up solar panels has dropped greatly in the past several years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: One thing that can make your solar project cost less is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your power bills, which can generate an average of $13,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, plus your roof configuration, affects affect how much power your solar panels can make.
- How much electricity your household consumes: Households that need plenty of energy each month may need more solar panels and, consequently, more upfront cost, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
Even though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and incentives.
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Solar Incentives in Chicago
Although a solar power system is typically a big investment, it can save you a significant amount of money over several years due to smaller power bills and government incentives.When you install solar panels on your home, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lowers your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. In addition, there are often some regional incentives that you can use to further save. For more information about local incentives, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Chicago
There are lots of reasons to make the switch to solar power, like saving on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? The amount of energy you use is a significant factor to consider. The more energy your household consumes, the bigger your impact when you switch to solar energy.Once you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be lowered by about 90 pounds every year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other perks besides saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment too.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Chicago, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in Chicago?
In Chicago, SunPower by Sun N Us is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Making solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 18.8 years, but the exact period varies depending on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is how much energy the panels can generate under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.