12 Best Solar Companies in Des Plaines, IL (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Des Plaines based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Solar installers near you
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best solar companies in Des Plaines

Looking for the top solar companies in Des Plaines? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find beneficial for their wallets, communities and the planet. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $13,000 on your power bills.

In this article, we'll help you narrow down the best companies in your area. 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 Des Plaines solar installer.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Des Plaines

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
SunRise Solar Attic Fans logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

SunRise Solar Attic Fans

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Family owned and operated
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.sunrisesolar.com/
Address: 10085 Ravenwood Dr, St John, IN 46373
Phone: (219) 558-2211
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.windsoleil.com/
Address: 401 N Trumbull Ave # D, Chicago, IL 60624
Phone: (224) 307-4057
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Solar Werks LLC - Solar Panel Installation logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Solar Werks LLC - Solar Panel Installation

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://solarpanelshighlandpark.com/
Address: 1376 Cavell Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: (224) 707-9003
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Current Electric Co. logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Current Electric Co.

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.google.com/aclk
Address: Wauwatosa, WI, WI WI
Phone: (262) 214-5598
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Elevated Solar and Electric logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Elevated Solar and Electric

  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://elevatedsolarenergy.com/
Address: 2175 Hammock Hill Ln, Brookfield, WI 53045
Phone: (262) 290-5333
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Earth Wind & Solar Energy LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Earth Wind & Solar Energy LLC

  • Pros icon Locally owned and operated
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://earthwindandsolarenergy.com/
Address: 4831 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Phone: (312) 243-9933
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Fresh Coast Solar, LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Fresh Coast Solar, LLC

  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.freshcoastsolar.com/
Address: 2211 N Elston Ave Suite 208, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (312) 281-6501
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
FreeWorld Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

FreeWorld Solar

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Maintenance and Repairs
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.freeworldrenewables.com/
Address: 1212 N Ashland Ave 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: (312) 585-7761
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Certasun logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Certasun

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Has an online quote form
  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.google.com/aclk
Address: Buffalo Grove, IL, IL IL
Phone: (312) 638-0800
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Safeguard Solar LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Safeguard Solar LLC

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Speedy and efficient installations
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.safeguardsolarllc.com/
Address: 2819 Village Green Dr, Aurora, IL 60504
Phone: (331) 226-0866
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Brighter Concepts Ltd - Solatube, RediLights, Indow Windows logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Brighter Concepts Ltd - Solatube, RediLights, Indow Windows

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.brighterconceptsltd.com/
Address: 3461 N Holton St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Phone: (414) 332-9050
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
myenergyconsultant.com logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

myenergyconsultant.com

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://www.myenergyconsultant.com/
Address: 523W Main St, Kirkland, IL 60146
Phone: (523) WMa-inSt

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 Des Plaines

The cost of installing solar panels has gone down immensely over the past several years, but it's still a substantial investment for most homeowners. A few main factors that affect the cost of installing a solar panel system on your home and how much money you could save over time are:

  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. Plus, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
  • How much sunlight your roof gets: This, and how your roof is set up, affects affect how much electricity your solar panels can generate.
  • The kind of solar panel system you can afford: This hinges on how much you're willing to invest upfront.
  • average energy usage: The more energy your household consumes on average and the larger your current energy bills are, the more money you could save by switching to solar.

Because of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for the majority of homeowners.

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Solar Incentives in Des Plaines

In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make switching to solar power more affordable and accessible. These incentives usually include cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can cut the cost you pay for going solar by 30%, upwards of 50% in some cases. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Des Plaines.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Des Plaines

One of the most compelling reasons to use solar power is to minimize your reliance on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment. But you may be curious — how much exactly can you help by using solar power? Regardless of your location, you can help save the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that use more energy will have a greater impact. While solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Des Plaines, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. The great things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with committing to solar.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Des Plaines, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar company is the best in Des Plaines?

In Des Plaines, SunRise Solar Attic Fans is the top 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 house.

What are some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?

A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it's environmentally friendly, and it can provide a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, the startup costs are high and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.

How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.5 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.

What is the efficiency of solar panels?

For the most part, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the sun's energy into usable electricity.

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.

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