18 Best Solar Companies in Chicago, IL (Jan 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in Chicago based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Chicago
Hoping to go solar but still deciding on which solar panel installer would be the best one for you? Although it can be challenging to pick a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many great benefits. On average, you can save $13,000 over 20 years when you use solar power. And since solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be even higher overall.
In this article, we'll help you narrow down the top options in your area. To help you understand 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 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 (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Chicago

SunRise Solar Attic Fans
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Family owned and operated
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Commercial Solar Services

Solar Werks LLC - Solar Panel Installation
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Commercial Solar Services

Current Electric Co.
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels

Elevated Solar and Electric
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Earth Wind & Solar Energy LLC
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Locally owned and operated
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Fresh Coast Solar, LLC
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

FreeWorld Solar
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services

Certasun
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Has an online quote form
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Licensing and credentials transparency
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Safeguard Solar LLC
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Speedy and efficient installations
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Solar Panels

Brighter Concepts Ltd - Solatube, RediLights, Indow Windows
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

myenergyconsultant.com
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Commercial Solar Services

Service Solar Solutions
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Offers a free quote process
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Educational sales approach
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Custom system designs
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Can browse portfolio on website
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles

Dominion Lighting & Solar
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Can browse portfolio on website
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels

Selenium Energy LLC
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Can browse portfolio on website
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Educational sales approach
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Batteries
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

Rethink Electric
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Can browse portfolio on website
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NABCEP-certified technicians
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Educational sales approach
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Maintenance and Repairs
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Commercial Solar Services
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles

Kapital Electric, Inc.
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Educational sales approach
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Assists with maximizing rebate
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Custom system designs
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Commercial Solar Services

93Energy Solar
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Educational sales approach
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles
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Commercial Solar Services
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Chicago
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will first need to pay to install your system. Some key factors that dictate the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you need 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 go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panel system won't be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electric bills than a house with a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical family in Chicago shells out around $900 a year on energy use alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
Solar is a valuable investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own energy 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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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
Switching to solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the environment, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. These incentives usually take the form of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or performance-based incentives. They can reduce how much you end up spending on installing solar panels by 30%, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can benefit from in Chicago.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Chicago
If you're considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the principal reasons why may be to lower your carbon footprint. But you may be wondering — how much exactly can you help by using solar power? If your family consumes a lot of energy, you can help the environment even more by switching to solar energy. If you go solar, your carbon footprint can be cut by about 90 pounds every year. The great things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many Chicago residents have been happy with using solar energy.
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 (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's Chicago, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Chicago?
In Chicago, SunRise Solar Attic Fans is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, totally eradicate your electricity bills, improve your home's value and reduce your carbon footprint. The main 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.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my home?
Solar panels can be a good investment for a majority of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.