15 Best Solar Companies in Downers Grove, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Downers Grove based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Downers Grove, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Downers Grove homeowner saves $1,107/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Downers Grove
If you’re trying to find the best solar companies in Downers Grove, sorting through all the options can be daunting, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many great benefits. With an average energy bill of $1,156 per month in Downers Grove, switching to solar power can reduce your monthly bills by about that much.
To help you search through the huge amount of Downers Grove solar installers, we’ve come up with a list of the top ones.For an idea of how much you would have to pay to put up a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Downers Grove by clicking the "get quote" 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
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 Downers Grove
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
YellowLite
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Reficiency Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Unity Solar Group
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
FreeWorld Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Sunset Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
SolarShift
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Summit Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Vantage Home Solar Illinois
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
Windy City Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Downers Grove
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove
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 Downers Grove
For most homeowners, the decision to invest in solar panels comes down to the cost.The cost and possible savings vary depending on a few key factors such as:
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, along with the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much power your solar panels can generate.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who install a solar system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $13,000 on your energy bills over 20 years not including incentives.
- Your income and budget: This determines what kind of solar panels you can get.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Downers Grove uses a decent amount of, and so may save on their energy bills.
Thanks to solar panels decreasing in cost as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Downers Grove
One of the good things about installing a solar panel system is receiving incentives from the government.When you install solar panels on your home, you can claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you reduce your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Additionally, there are often some local incentives that you can benefit from to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. Our article on solar incentives goes over more information on the incentives you can find in Downers Grove.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Downers Grove
If you’re considering adding solar panels to your home, one of the primary reasons why may be to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions.You may be trying to figure out – how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? A significant thing to keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute, your footprint may be bigger, so switching to solar power for your home can help offset that.After you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 90 pounds a year. For people who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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
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 Downers Grove, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Downers Grove?
The best local solar company in Downers Grove is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Making solar panels uses chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my home?
Solar panels call for a large upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like the cost of electricity near you and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
When should I install solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see faster 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.