15 Best Solar Companies in Wilmette, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Wilmette based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Wilmette, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Wilmette homeowner saves $1,207/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Wilmette
Do you want energy freedom in Wilmette? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since you can take advantage of many benefits when you switch to solar power. On average, you can save $14,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And because solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be even more than that overall.
As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Wilmette, you might see that there are a great number of providers to choose from. So, we’ve put together a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To help you understand if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Wilmette by clicking the 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 Wilmette
SunPower by Sun N Us
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
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
Windfree Solar Co
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
RxSun
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
FreeWorld Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Certasun
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
93Energy Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
Atlas Solar Advisors
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
SolarW - Solar Panel Installer
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Green Power Works Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Wilmette
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Wilmette 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 Wilmette
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 Wilmette
The cost of putting up solar panels has decreased greatly over the past few years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.The overall price and potential savings vary depending on some key factors such as:
- The cost of energy for you: If your local utility rates are high, there's a better chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in a solar panel system. In Wilmette, you can save an average of $1,156 a month on your electricity bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you get will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: This, and the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can make.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Wilmette uses a decent amount of, and so may save on their energy bills.
So are solar panels worth it? Whether you hope to lower your electric bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Wilmette homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
Use the calculator below to find out how much switching to solar could impact the planet and your bank account. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Wilmette, IL.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.
Solar Incentives in Wilmette
There are several reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them includes some government incentives you can take advantage of.You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also potentially stack the ITC with other state and city incentives. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Wilmette
An important reason so many people are considering going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact.Something many homeowners might be asking themselves is how much can they really help protect the environment by switching to solar power anyway? In a city like Wilmette where energy use is rather high, switching to solar energy is a fantastic idea for people who want to do their part for the environment.Though solar panel production 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 Wilmette, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. The good things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with committing 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 Wilmette, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best in Wilmette?
The best local solar company in Wilmette is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of going solar?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, 100% cut your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey 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.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 17.4 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.