12 Best Solar Companies in River Forest, IL (Jan 2023 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in River Forest based on:
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Customer review scores
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Solar installers near you
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Company policies and services offered
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Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Updated January 20, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in River Forest
As a homeowner in River Forest, you may be considering switching to solar energy and curious about the best solar companies in your area. Solar could be a great choice since it comes with a lot of benefits. Installation costs can be high, but switching to solar will save you money on your energy bills over many years. In fact, you can look forward to saving about $13,000 over 20 years.
In this article, we'll introduce you to the top River Forest solar installers so you can make the best decision for your home's green energy needs. To get free quotes from the top solar companies in River Forest, 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 River Forest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

myenergyconsultant.com
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More transparent pricing than competitors
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Custom system designs
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Excellent reputation
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Solar Panels
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Solar Roof Shingles
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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 River Forest
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but before you can take advantage of this you first need to pay to set up your system. Some key things that influence the cost and possible savings include:
- The amount of sunlight your house gets: Due to River Forest's high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your power bills.
- Choice of solar panels: The type of solar panels you choose will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also lead to more savings 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.
- Incentives: Those who purchase and install a solar energy system this year can save 30% of their overall solar costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $13,000 on your energy bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- How much power your household needs: If your home regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
Even though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your local electricity rates.
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Solar Incentives in River Forest
Although solar power is typically a large investment, it can save you a lot of money over many years due to lower energy bills and government incentives. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you some money in return after buying a qualifying system. You can find out about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in River Forest
There are lots of reasons to switch to solar energy, like saving money on electricity bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint. You may be trying to figure out — how much does going solar help the environment anyway? One thing you should keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute time and have an electric vehicle, you can use solar energy for your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions. If you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by about 90 pounds a year. If you care about the environment, you'll most likely understand that there are many advantages to adopting solar power other than just saving money on bills. You can also help protect the environment, which some would argue is worth more.
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 River Forest, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar panel installation company in River Forest?
In River Forest, SunRise Solar Attic Fans is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to install solar panels on your home.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle 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 for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.5 years, but the exact period is influenced by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they should be disposed of. What this means is their energy production will have decreased significantly after that point. You can decide to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.