14 Best Solar Companies in Chicago, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 14 in Chicago based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Chicago, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Chicago homeowner saves $1,120/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Chicago
When deciding on the best solar companies, Chicago homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we're here to make switching to solar energy simpler. 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 savings will be much higher than that overall.
In this article, we'll let you in on the top Chicago solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home's clean energy needs. To help you figure out if solar panels are something you should get for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Chicago by clicking the button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Chicago
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
GO Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Solar Us Shop
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Expert panel installation
Crossroads Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
MC Squared Energy Services LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
Headline Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Greene County Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Chicago
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in 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 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 Chicago
The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down greatly over the past several years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. There are quite a few factors you should consider when determining the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:
- Where your home is: This influences how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- The type and model of solar panels you want: More efficient models are more highly priced, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to reduce your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Your current electric bills: Solar panels can substantially decrease, or totally eliminate, your utility bills. In Chicago, you can save an average of $75 a month.
Even though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, like the size of your house and your local electricity rates.
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If you're curious how much you could impact the environment if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Chicago, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Chicago
Because solar power is more sustainable than traditional energy sources, there are some government incentives available to encourage people to make the switch. State and city solar incentive programs depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. In our article on solar incentives, you can see the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Chicago
Going solar can have a meaningful impact on the environment. You may be asking yourself — how much does going solar do for the planet anyway? The more power your family uses, the better off the planet will be when you switch to solar as you won't need to use as much nonrenewable energy. In fact, if you install solar panels, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other benefits beyond saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the environment too.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Chicago, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Chicago?
The top local solar company in Chicago is SunRise Solar Attic Fans, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, totally eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home's value and cut back on your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much 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?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 13.7 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity 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 how much energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to install between 20 and 35 panels to account for their typical energy usage.
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.