15 Best Solar Companies in Chicago Heights, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Chicago Heights based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Chicago Heights, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Chicago Heights homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Chicago Heights
Looking to go solar but want to know which solar panel installer would be best for you? Although it can be difficult to find a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many fantastic perks. Solar panels can be expensive, but adopting solar will save you money on your power bills over many years. In fact, you can expect to save about $13,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll review the top Chicago Heights solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home’s sustainable energy needs.Want to see the cost of installing a solar system on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Chicago Heights solar installer.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Chicago Heights
SunPower by Sun N Us
- price_transparency
- ed_content
- free_inspection
- customer_service
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Greentech Renewables Chicago
- price_transparency
- customer_service
- ed_content
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
B.T. Electric Inc
- price_transparency
- award_winning
- customer_service
- timeliness
- free_inspection
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
YellowLite
- charitable_giving
- customer_service
- ed_content
- price_transparency
- free_inspection
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
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- price_transparency
- customer_service
- free_inspection
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- ed_content
- charitable_giving
- customer_service
- price_transparency
- free_inspection
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
FreeWorld Solar
- free_inspection
- ed_content
- customer_service
- price_transparency
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Summit Solar
- free_inspection
- customer_service
- price_transparency
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- ed_content
- timeliness
- customer_service
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
RxSun
- free_inspection
- price_transparency
- ed_content
- customer_service
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
Reficiency Solar
- price_transparency
- customer_service
- free_inspection
- charitable_giving
- ed_content
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
JD Pro Electric Inc
- free_inspection
- ed_content
- price_transparency
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Unity Solar Group
- customer_service
- free_inspection
- price_transparency
- ed_content
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Windfree Solar Co
- price_transparency
- free_inspection
- ed_content
- customer_service
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Solar Power Midwest LLC
- price_transparency
- free_inspection
- ed_content
- customer_service
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Chicago Heights
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Chicago Heights 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 Heights
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 Heights
The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down greatly over the past few years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.Some important things that determine the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Your income and budget: This affects what kind of solar panels you can afford.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Chicago Heights 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 your electricity bills will be.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which can save you some money, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- How much energy you use: If your home uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from installing solar panels.
Due to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and help the Earth by installing solar panels, you can try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Chicago Heights, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Chicago Heights
Since solar power is more sustainable than fossil fuels, there are a number of government incentives available to encourage its adoption.Local solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. A lot of states offer rebates for solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can benefit from in Chicago Heights.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Chicago Heights
One reason so many people are considering adopting solar energy is to help lower their environmental impact.But you may be wondering – how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? For people who are environmentally-conscious, using solar power is a straightforward choice, especially since Chicago Heights produces a high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. The perks of solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many Chicago Heights residents have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Chicago Heights, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel company in Chicago Heights?
In Chicago Heights, SunPower by Sun N Us is the most reputable 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 roof.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they’re made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 18.6 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, 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.