15 Best Solar Companies in Oak Forest, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Oak Forest based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Oak Forest, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Oak Forest homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Oak Forest
Searching for the top solar companies in Oak Forest? Installing solar panels is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. On average, your family can save $13,000 over 20 years by using solar power. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be much higher than that overall.
There are lots of installers to choose from, but in this article, we’ll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Oak Forest.To see how much you might pay to install a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Oak Forest by clicking the "get quote" button below.
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 Oak Forest
SunPower by Sun N Us
Free Quotes- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
YellowLite
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
FreeWorld Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Greentech Renewables Chicago
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Summit Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Reficiency Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
RxSun
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Solar Power Midwest LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
SolarShift
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
Windfree Solar Co
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Windy City Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Oak Forest
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Oak Forest 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 Oak Forest
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 Oak Forest
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your panels.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- Your energy consumption: If your family regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: This, plus how your roof is set up, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can produce.
- The type and model of solar panels you’re planning on getting: Higher-efficiency panels are more expensive, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical household in Oak Forest shells out around $1,200 a year on electricity alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you’re trying to lower your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Oak Forest homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Oak Forest
Although a solar power system is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over time because of smaller energy bills and government incentives.You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also possibly stack the ITC with other state and city rebates and benefits. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in your area.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oak Forest
If you want to add solar panels to your home, one of the principal reasons why may be to lower your reliance on nonrenewable energy.You may be wondering – how much does going solar do for the environment anyway? The EPA reports that electricity production is the second greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help lower that number in a city like Oak Forest that is responsible for a sizable amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.Once you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 90 pounds each year. Since energy from the sun is plentiful and makes electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
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 Oak Forest, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Oak Forest?
In Oak Forest, 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 great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your home.
What are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of going solar?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, 100% eradicate your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and lower your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels need a considerable upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the ideal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's decreased demand during the winter months, and it lets you be up and running with solar for the higher power bills you may get during the summer.
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.