17 Best Solar Companies in North Chicago, IL (Mar 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 17 in North Chicago based on:
-
Customer review scores
-
Solar installers near you
-
Company policies and services offered
-
Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated March 14, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in North Chicago
When you're trying to find the best solar companies in North Chicago, going through hundreds of options can be daunting, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many fantastic perks. Solar power isn't just good for the planet — your bank account will be better off too. Once you switch to solar power, you can save an average of $14,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
There are plenty of installers to choose from, but in this article, we'll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in North Chicago. To get free quotes from the best 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 (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in North Chicago

SunRise Solar Attic Fans
-
Educational sales approach
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
Family owned and operated
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
-
Educational sales approach
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Commercial Solar Services

Solar Werks LLC - Solar Panel Installation
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Commercial Solar Services

Current Electric Co.
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Maintenance and Repairs
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels

Elevated Solar and Electric
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

Earth Wind & Solar Energy LLC
-
Locally owned and operated
-
Custom system designs
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Batteries
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

Fresh Coast Solar, LLC
-
NABCEP-certified technicians
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Custom system designs
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

FreeWorld Solar
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Custom system designs
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Maintenance and Repairs
-
Commercial Solar Services

Certasun
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Custom system designs
-
Has an online quote form
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Licensing and credentials transparency
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Batteries
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

Safeguard Solar LLC
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Speedy and efficient installations
-
Custom system designs
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Solar Panels

Brighter Concepts Ltd - Solatube, RediLights, Indow Windows
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Custom system designs
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

myenergyconsultant.com
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Custom system designs
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Commercial Solar Services

Greenlink Energy Solutions
-
Licensing and credentials transparency
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Educational sales approach
-
Custom system designs
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Assists with maximizing rebate
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Commercial Solar Services

Drews Solar
-
Educational sales approach
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Roof Shingles
-
Commercial Solar Services

Service Solar Solutions
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Offers a free quote process
-
Educational sales approach
-
Custom system designs
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
NABCEP-certified technicians
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Maintenance and Repairs
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels
-
Solar Roof Shingles

Dominion Lighting & Solar
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
Educational sales approach
-
More transparent pricing than competitors
-
Custom system designs
-
Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services
-
Solar Panels

Selenium Energy LLC
-
Can browse portfolio on website
-
NABCEP-certified technicians
-
Educational sales approach
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Solar Batteries
-
Solar Panels
-
Commercial Solar Services
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 North Chicago
The cost of putting up solar panels has dropped immensely in the past several years, but it's still a large investment for most homeowners. Some important factors that dictate how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you reduce your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. Plus, you can save about $14,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Average daily sunlight: Since North Chicago gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you are interested in getting will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don't need to maximize efficiency, you can go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- average energy usage: The more electricity your household uses on average and the greater your current electricity bills are, the more money you could save by going solar.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you're trying to decrease your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many North Chicago homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
To see how much you can impact the environment and your wallet by making the switch to solar, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for North Chicago, IL.
{{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in North Chicago
If you're considering switching to solar energy, a variety of government incentives and solar rebates can immensely lower the cost of the project and expedite the return on your investment. You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also possibly use the ITC with other state and city incentives. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in North Chicago.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in North Chicago
One reason so many people are considering going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact. But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually help the environment? Your energy usage is a significant factor to consider. The more power your home uses, the larger your impact when you make the switch to solar power. After you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be lowered by about 90 pounds a year. The benefits of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many North Chicago residents have been happy with committing to solar.
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 (coming 2022)
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's North Chicago, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel company in North Chicago?
The highest-rated local solar company in North Chicago is SunRise Solar Attic Fans, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, entirely erase your electricity bills, improve your home's value and cut back on your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save a lot if you don't use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.4 years, but the exact period varies depending on the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
What is the best type of solar panel?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. In regard to efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by the layout of your roof, how much you're willing to spend and desired energy output.
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.