15 Best Solar Companies in Waukegan, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Waukegan based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Waukegan, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Waukegan homeowner saves $1,144/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Waukegan
On the hunt for the best solar companies in Waukegan? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Due to its moderate amount of average daily sunlight, Waukegan has a good amount of solar growth, so many of the best solar companies in the nation have opened up there to help residents get started with renewable energy.
In this article, we’ll review the top Waukegan solar installers so you can make the best choice for your home’s solar energy needs.To get free quotes from the top solar companies in Waukegan, click 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 Waukegan
SunPower by Sun N Us
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
YellowLite
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Certasun
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Midwest Solutions Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Smart Sky Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
ilumen Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
SolarW - Solar Panel Installer
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Greentech Renewables North Chicago
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Windfree Solar Co
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
FreeWorld Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
RxSun
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Waukegan
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Waukegan 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 Waukegan
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 Waukegan
We get that for lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar hinges on installation costs.Some significant things that impact how much it will cost and how much you could save include:
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Waukegan gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your utility bills, which can give you an average of $14,000 of savings over 20 years.
- How much power your home consumes: Homes that need a lot of energy each month may require more solar panels and, as a result, more upfront cost, but will also benefit more over time.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can produce your own electricity instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping preserve the planet.
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Solar Incentives in Waukegan
Although solar power is typically a large investment, it can save you a considerable amount of money over time because of smaller utility bills and government incentives.There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money in return after installing a solar panel system. For more information about incentives that apply to you, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Waukegan
Swapping traditional energy for solar is a compelling way to do your part for a cleaner and more sustainable future.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Waukegan, though. In a city like Waukegan where commute times can be pretty long, using solar power can help help reduce the carbon footprint of driving.Even though solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by greatly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Waukegan, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. The advantages of solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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 Waukegan, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in Waukegan?
In Waukegan, 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 looking to add solar panels to your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Making solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels require a considerable upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
Though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is how much energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can replace them once you've had them for that long or you can keep using them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.