18 Best Solar Companies in Elgin, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 18 in Elgin based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Elgin, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Elgin homeowner saves $1,153/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Elgin
When deciding on the best solar panel companies, Elgin homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we're here to make making the switch to solar power simpler. Because Elgin has a great capacity for solar energy generation, going solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
To help you sort through the huge variety of Elgin solar installers, we've come up with a list of the top ones. To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Elgin, you can click "get quote" below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Elgin
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
ilumen Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Pink Energy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
NXT Solar Solutions
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Headline Solar
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
108 Solar Services, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Solarmark Energy Solutions
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
SunHeat Solar, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
National Solar Service
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Skilled repairs
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- End-to-end services
TruHome Pros Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- End-to-end services
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
APOLLO Solar Engineering Procurement & Construction companies
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Midwest Solar Control + Glass Graphics
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Recognized Excellence
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Elgin
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Elgin 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 Elgin
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 Elgin
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you must first pay to install your panels. The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- The make and model of solar panels you're planning on getting: More high-tech panels have higher prices, so that will shape your budget for your solar project.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $14,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Your household's power bills: With high monthly power bills in Elgin, you could save about $930 a year with solar.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: Thanks to Elgin's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electricity bills.
Thanks to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Elgin
If you're considering switching to solar energy, various government incentives and solar rebates can drastically lower the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment. You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also potentially pair the ITC with other local incentives. For detailed information about incentives for homeowners in Elgin, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Elgin
There are many reasons to make the switch to solar power, like saving some money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. Something many might have in mind is how much can they really help protect the environment by going solar anyway? The amount of energy you use is a key factor to keep in mind. The more power your home uses, the larger your impact when you switch to solar energy. Even though solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Elgin, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. If you want to do your part for the environment, you'll most likely understand that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Elgin, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installation company in Elgin?
In Elgin, SunRise Solar Attic Fans is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a good choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your electricity bills, it's good for the environment, 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 installation cost is pricey and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels call for a large upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.