15 Best Solar Companies in Hillside, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Hillside based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Hillside, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Hillside homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Hillside
As a homeowner in Hillside, you may be interested in switching to solar energy and wondering about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a fantastic idea since it comes with many perks. The average home can save $13,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And since solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, your total savings will be even more than that overall.
To help you search through the large number of Hillside solar installers, we’ve come up with a list of the top ones.Keep reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or connect with a trusted solar company in your area right away by clicking the 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 Hillside
SunPower by Sun N Us
Informative Resources- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
YellowLite
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
Reficiency Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Windfree Solar Co
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
FreeWorld Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
RxSun
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Windy City Solar Group
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
Green Power Works Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Hillside
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Hillside 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 Hillside
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 Hillside
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your panels.There are several factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine costs and your potential savings, such as:
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $13,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Your income and budget: This determines what type of solar panels you can purchase.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: This, and how your roof is set up, affects affect how much power your solar panels can produce.
- Your energy consumption: If your family uses a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from switching to solar.
Even though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount over the lifespan of your panels. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, like the angle of your roof and your current power bills.
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If you're curious what your impact could be if you switch to solar, you can use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Hillside, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Hillside
Although a solar power system is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over time because of reduced energy bills and government incentives.Local solar incentive programs vary by location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For more information about incentives that apply to you, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Hillside
There are a few primary reasons why people are considering solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.You may be trying to figure out – how much does making the switch help the planet anyway? If your family consumes a lot of energy, you can impact the environment even more by switching to solar energy.Though making solar panels emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Hillside, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For those who care 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 Hillside, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installation company in Hillside?
In Hillside, SunPower by Sun N Us is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your roof.
Are solar panels actually eco-friendly?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle 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 for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 18.6 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them for your home's 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.