15 Best Solar Companies in Des Plaines, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Des Plaines based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Des Plaines, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Des Plaines homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Des Plaines
Looking to go solar but want to know which company would be the best one for your needs? Although it can be difficult to choose a solar company, the search will pay off because going solar has many great perks. Solar panels can be expensive, but adopting solar will save you money on your utility bills over many years. In fact, you can expect to save about $13,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we’ll tell you about the top Des Plaines solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home’s clean energy needs.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the top Des Plaines solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Des Plaines
SunPower by Sun N Us
Clear Pricing Policy- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
93Energy Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Semper Solr
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Windfree Solar Co
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Certasun
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Rethink Electric
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
RxSun
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
FreeWorld Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Des Plaines
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines
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 Des Plaines
For many readers, the decision of which solar company to hire depends on prices.A few main factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind 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 space isn't a constraint for your project, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: This, and your roof configuration, affects affect how much energy your solar panels can produce.
- Your current power bills: Solar panels can dramatically reduce, or entirely eradicate, your utility bills. In Des Plaines, you can save an average of $1,156 a month.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. In addition, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
There are many wonderful benefits of solar despite the upfront cost of installation. It can help the planet and your finances. Plus, it can increase the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Des Plaines
Adopting solar power has a lot of considerable benefits. Not only can it help protect the planet, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives.In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in Des Plaines.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Des Plaines
There are many reasons to switch to solar power, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.You may be asking yourself – how much does making the switch help the planet anyway? One thing to keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time on the road and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions.In Des Plaines, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. Since solar power is plentiful and generates electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, making the switch to solar power is one easy step you can take to help preserve the environment.
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 Des Plaines, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar company in Des Plaines?
In Des Plaines, 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 solid choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be bad 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. Making solar panels 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 buying solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 18.6 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household has to get between 20 and 35 panels to account for their 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.