15 Best Solar Companies in North Chicago, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in North Chicago based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for North Chicago, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average North Chicago homeowner saves $1,144/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in North Chicago
If you’re a home or business owner looking to capitalize on the solar incentives in North Chicago, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which installer to decide on. But, the hard work is worth it since switching to solar power is typically a fantastic choice. Plus, the solar industry is thriving in North Chicago, giving homeowners access to some of the most respected solar panel installers in the country.
There are tons of installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you narrow down your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in North Chicago.To get free quotes from the top solar companies in North Chicago, click 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 North Chicago
SunPower by Sun N Us
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
Certasun
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Smart Sky Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
SolarW - Solar Panel Installer
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Midwest Solutions Inc
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables North Chicago
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
ilumen Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
Windfree Solar Co
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
RxSun
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
FreeWorld Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
93Energy Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in North Chicago
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in North Chicago 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 North Chicago
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 North Chicago
For lots of homeowners, the decision to invest in solar panels comes down to the cost.There are quite a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine costs and your potential savings, including:
- Electricity consumption: The average home in North Chicago uses a decent amount of, and as a result may save on their energy bills.
- Your city: This affects how much sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- The type and model of solar panels you’re planning on getting: More high-tech panels have higher prices, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
- Your current electric bills: Solar panels can significantly lower, or totally get rid of, your utility bills. In North Chicago, you can save an average of $1,156 a month.
Due to solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a sound investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in North Chicago
There are lots of reasons why you should switch to solar. One of them includes some government incentives that can save you money.There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn some money in return after buying a solar panel system. For comprehensive information about incentives for homeowners in North Chicago, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in North Chicago
There are lots of reasons to make the switch to solar power, like saving money on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.You may be trying to figure out – how much do solar panels help the planet anyway? For homeowners and business owners who want to help cut back on greenhouse gas emissions, using solar power is an easy decision, especially since North Chicago produces a high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.Even though solar panel production emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably lowering the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In North Chicago, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other rewards apart from saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the environment too.
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 North Chicago, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in North Chicago?
The best local solar company in North Chicago is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the major advantages and disadvantages of going solar?
A few of the biggest pros are that it reduces your power bills, it’s environmentally friendly, 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.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 18.4 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them to meet 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.