15 Best Solar Companies in West Chicago, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in West Chicago based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for West Chicago, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average West Chicago homeowner saves $1,406/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in West Chicago
On the hunt for the top solar companies in West Chicago? Installing solar panels is an exciting venture that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. One of the main reasons why many homeowners are thinking about switching to solar energy is because it can greatly lower your monthly utility bills which keep getting higher each year.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow in on the best options in your area.To get free quotes from the leading solar companies in West Chicago, 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 West Chicago
SunPower by Sun N Us
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
YellowLite
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Reficiency Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Safeguard Solar LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
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
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Vantage Home Solar Illinois
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
ilumen Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
TruHome Pros Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Unity Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
GoSolar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Greencore Solar, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in West Chicago
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in West 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 West 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 West Chicago
The cost of putting up solar panels has gone down immensely in the past few years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be a high-cost investment for families that don’t use too much energy per month.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $17,000 over 20 years with your solar system, too.
- The type of solar panels you want to get: Some cost more, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- How much you spend on energy: The average family in West Chicago shells out around $1,200 a year on energy use alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own power instead of paying for it from a utility company and take advantage of solar tax credits and rebates, all while helping the planet.
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Solar Incentives in West Chicago
Because solar power is better for the environment than burning fossil fuels, there are a number of government incentives available to encourage its adoption.Regardless of what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 0 of your project costs on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some local incentives you can benefit from too. For comprehensive information about local incentives, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in West Chicago
If you want to add solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to lower your carbon footprint.Something many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power 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. Switching to a clean energy source like solar power can help bring down that statistic in a city like West Chicago that accounts for a sizable amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.While making solar panels releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In West Chicago, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. As you can see, using solar power has so many other perks apart from saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the planet too.
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 West Chicago, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in West Chicago?
The top local solar company in West Chicago is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Producing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 15.0 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how much power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.