15 Best Solar Companies in Oak Forest, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Oak Forest based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Oak Forest, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Oak Forest homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Oak Forest
Looking for the top solar companies in Oak Forest? Installing solar panels is an exciting project that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar system, you can save about $13,000 on your electricity bills.
In this article, we'll help you narrow in on the top companies in your area. To get an idea of what it might cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Oak Forest
YellowLite
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Reliable Customer Support - Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Tailored solutions - Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
Millennium Solar Electric Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Greentech Renewables Chicago
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Solar Power Midwest, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Windy City Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
SunRise Solar Attic Fans
- Family-Operated Business
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Integrated roofing
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
B.T. Electric Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Tesla Solar Chicago
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
Solar Simplified
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
ENGIE North America
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Tailored solutions
FreeWorld Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
Summit Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Oak Forest
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Oak 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 Oak 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 Oak Forest
For a lot of homeowners, the decision to invest in a solar energy system depends the most on the cost. There are a few factors you should consider when trying to determine how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you want 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.
- Your energy bills: This will influence your savings. In Oak Forest, the average resident can save about $900 a year on their electricity bills.
- Incentives: Something that can make your solar project cost less is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that's equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your power bills, which can result in an average of $13,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Oak Forest uses a decent amount of, and therefore may save on their energy bills.
Solar is a rewarding investment for most homeowners. You can generate your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and benefit from solar incentives and rebates, all while helping the planet.
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Adopting a renewable source of energy can greatly impact both the environment and your utility bills. To see how much, try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Oak Forest, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Oak Forest
If you're considering making the switch to solar power, a number of government incentives and tax credits can greatly bring down the cost of the project and speed up the return on your investment. No matter what state you live in, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which will allow you to claim 30% of how much your solar project cost when you file taxes, reducing the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives that stack with the ITC too. Our article on solar incentives has more detailed information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Oak Forest.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oak Forest
There are lots of reasons to switch to solar power, like saving on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint. But — how much exactly can you help the planet by using solar power? In a city like Oak Forest where energy use is rather high, making the switch to solar power is a great idea for people who are eco-conscious. In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, using solar power has so many other rewards apart from saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment too.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Oak Forest, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in Oak Forest?
In Oak Forest, Selenium Solar is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Producing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for a majority of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing so in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners switching to solar, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.