15 Best Solar Companies in Elgin, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Elgin based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Elgin, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Elgin homeowner saves $1,153/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Elgin
Thinking of going solar but trying to figure out which solar company would be the best one for you? Although it can be hard to choose a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good benefits. One of the key reasons those residing in Elgin, where the average energy bill is high, think about going solar is to lower their monthly bills.
In this article, we’ll let you in on the top Elgin solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s solar energy needs.Want to see how much you would pay to install a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top Elgin solar installer.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Elgin
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
YellowLite
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
ilumen Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
GoSolar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Reficiency Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
Certasun
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
TruHome Pros Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Semper Solr
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Windfree Solar Co
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Greencore Solar, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Elgin
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Elgin 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 Elgin
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 Elgin
While solar panels can save you money on energy bills over time, it’s important to take into consideration the startup costs.Some key things that determine the cost and possible savings include:
- average energy usage: The more energy your household uses on average and the larger your current electricity bills are, the more money you could save by switching to solar.
- Your income and budget: This affects what type of solar panels you can purchase.
- Your city: This affects how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- Your energy bills: This will dictate how much you can save. In Elgin, the average homeowner can save about $1,200 a year on their electricity bills.
There are lots of wonderful benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your finances. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, resulting in even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Elgin
There are several reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them includes some government incentives that can save you money.These incentives normally consist of cash rebates, tax benefits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut the cost you pay for installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. You can find out about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Elgin
There are a few big reasons why many people are considering solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet.A question many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? No matter where you are, you can help protect the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume more energy will have an even greater impact.After you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 90 pounds a year. For people who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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
EcoWatch's Elgin, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Elgin?
In Elgin, SunPower by Sun N Us is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Producing solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 18.3 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
For the most part, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.
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.