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
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Updated March 14, 2023
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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
- 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 Des Plaines
Local Service
SunRise Solar Attic Fans
-
Educational sales approach - Assists with maximizing rebate
- Family owned and operated
- Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services - Solar Panels
Local Service
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Solar Werks LLC - Solar Panel Installation
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Current Electric Co.
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Elevated Solar and Electric
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Earth Wind & Solar Energy LLC
- Locally owned and operated
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Fresh Coast Solar, LLC
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
FreeWorld Solar
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Maintenance and Repairs
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Certasun
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Custom system designs
- Has an online quote form
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Safeguard Solar LLC
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Speedy and efficient installations
- Custom system designs
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Brighter Concepts Ltd - Solatube, RediLights, Indow Windows
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
myenergyconsultant.com
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
- 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 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
- 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 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.