17 Best Solar Companies in Evanston, IL (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 17 in Evanston 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 Evanston

As a homeowner in Evanston, you may be interested in switching to solar and curious about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a great choice since it comes with lots of perks. What's especially making many homeowners consider going solar is their sizable energy bills that continue to increase each year.

If you're considering going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Evanston and compare quotes. The great news is we went ahead and made a list of the best solar companies so you don't have to. To start getting free quotes from the best solar companies in Evanston, you can click "get quote" below.

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 Evanston

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Outstanding Local Installer
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Service Solar Solutions logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Service Solar Solutions

  • 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 Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • 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 Panels
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles

Website: http://www.solar-napervilleil.com/
Address: 1001 E Chicago Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: (630) 426-7224
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Dominion Lighting & Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Dominion Lighting & Solar

  • 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.dominion.solar/
Address: 900 Jorie Blvd #195, Oak Brook, IL 60523
Phone: (630) 481-4122
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Selenium Energy LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Selenium Energy LLC

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

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

Website: https://selenium34.com
Address: 2611 Country Club Dr, Olympia Fields, IL 60461-1523
Phone: (630) 517-0559
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Rethink Electric logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Rethink Electric

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • 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 Panels
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles

Website: https://rethinkelectric.com/
Address: 850 N Central Ave, Wood Dale, IL 60191
Phone: (630) 747-4587
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Kapital Electric, Inc. logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

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

Kapital Electric, Inc.

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • 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 Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.kapitalelectric.com/
Address: 1270 Mark St, Bensenville, IL 60106
Phone: (630) 833-2389

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 Evanston

We know that for most homeowners, the choice to invest in solar hinges on installation costs. Some key things that determine how much it will cost and how much you could save include:

  • Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you get will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive 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 go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
  • Average daily sunlight: Since Evanston gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much your electricity bills will be.
  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to decrease your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Additionally, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
  • Your energy bills: This will affect how much money you might save. In Evanston, the average resident can save about $900 a year on their electricity bills.

Though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the angle of your roof and your current power bills.

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Solar Incentives in Evanston

Switching to solar power has a lot of great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the Earth, 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 local benefits, which in almost all cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can take advantage of.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Evanston

There are a few important reasons why people want to invest in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet. You may be trying to figure out — how much do solar panels do for the environment anyway? The average person has a sizable carbon footprint. Between their car, which releases over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions each year, and powering their home, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do. Installing solar panels is a simple thing you can do to help. Even though solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Evanston, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. The great things about solar power are abundant — just like solar power is! That's why so many people 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 Evanston, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the best solar panel installation company in Evanston?

The highest-rated local solar company in Evanston is SunRise Solar Attic Fans, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?

A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your power bills, it's environmentally friendly, and it can provide a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't work as well when there's limited direct sunlight, they cost a lot upfront and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.

Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?

Solar panels can be a great investment for most homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.

How often do solar panels need to be replaced?

On average, solar panels can last about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher 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.

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