15 Best Solar Companies in Oak Forest, IL (2024 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
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Oak Forest
Searching for the top solar companies in Oak Forest? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting venture that many homeowners find valuable for their wallets, communities and the planet. The average home can save $13,000 over 20 years when you use solar power. And since solar panels last about 25 to 30 years, the amount of money you'll save in the long run will be even more than that overall.
If you want to start making use of the many perks of solar, we’ll help you narrow down your options to find the Oak Forest solar installer that’s in the right price range for you.To see how much you might pay to install a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Oak Forest by clicking the "get quote" 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 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 Oak Forest
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
YellowLite
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
FreeWorld Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
Greentech Renewables Chicago
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Reficiency Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
Summit Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Unity Solar Group
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
RxSun
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
SolarShift
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
Solar Power Midwest LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Windfree Solar Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
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 many readers, the decision of which solar company to go with comes down to pricing.Some main factors that determine how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time are:
- Your energy consumption: If your household regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll benefit more from going solar.
- The amount of sunlight your area gets: Because of Oak Forest’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your energy bills.
- The type of solar panels you can afford: This depends on how much you’re willing to invest upfront.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 0 of your total installation cost, your local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Aside from incentives, you can save an average of $13,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
There are lots of great benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your finances. Additionally, it can increase 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 Oak Forest
There are lots of reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them includes some government incentives that can save you money.There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn anywhere from 0 to 50% of your money back after buying a qualifying system. Our article on solar incentives has more information on the incentives you can find in Oak Forest.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Oak Forest
There are a few key reasons why many people are considering solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits.You may be trying to figure out – how much do solar panels do for the planet anyway? Adopting solar power is a great choice for the environment, because the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.Though solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by considerably reducing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Oak Forest, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For homeowners who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for offsetting your carbon emissions.
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 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 Oak Forest, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installation company in Oak Forest?
In Oak Forest, SunPower by Sun N Us is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of 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 to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 18.6 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What are the different types of solar panels?
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. In terms of efficiency and price, monocrystalline has the highest for both, then polycrystalline, and then thin-film. The best choice for you is highly influenced by your roof layout, how much you're willing to spend and how much energy generation you want.
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.