15 Best Solar Companies in Lake Forest, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Lake Forest based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Lake Forest, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Lake Forest homeowner saves $1,144/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Lake Forest
If you’re a home or business owner looking to take advantage of the solar incentives in Lake Forest, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which installer to decide on. But, it's worth it since switching to solar power is often a great idea. While solar power is a large investment, you’ll be able to make the cost back and then some, all while living more sustainably. In fact, you could look forward to saving about $14,000 over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary substantially according to your home’s infrastructure and your overall energy needs.To help you understand if solar panels are a good idea for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Lake Forest by clicking the button below.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Lake Forest
SunPower by Sun N Us
Free Quotes- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
Certasun
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
Smart Sky Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Greentech Renewables North Chicago
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
SolarW - Solar Panel Installer
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
ilumen Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Midwest Solutions Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
Windfree Solar Co
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
93Energy Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
RxSun
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
FreeWorld Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Lake Forest
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest
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 Lake Forest
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs the most.Some significant things that impact the cost and possible savings include:
- How much energy costs for you: The typical household in Lake Forest shells out around $1,200 a year on power alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: This, plus the configuration of your roof, affects affect how much power your solar panels can generate.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you choose can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- Incentives: One thing that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your power bills, which can generate an average of $14,000 of savings over 20 years.
There are lots of good benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the planet and your wallet. In addition, it can boost the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Lake Forest
Adopting solar power has many great benefits. Not only can it help protect the environment, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also potentially stack the ITC with other state and city incentives. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for in Lake Forest.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Lake Forest
One of the most compelling reasons to embrace solar power is to cut your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment.You may be asking yourself – how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? No matter where you are, you can help protect the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that use more energy will have an even greater impact.Though making solar panels emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Lake Forest, 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 get that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is worth more.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Lake Forest, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Lake Forest?
In Lake Forest, SunPower by Sun N Us is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What are the biggest advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
The advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, completely erase your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save as much if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 18.4 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical energy bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, roof layout and how much efficiency you're looking for.
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.