15 Best Solar Companies in River Forest, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in River Forest based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for River Forest, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average River Forest homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in River Forest
When choosing between the best solar companies, River Forest homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be too much to take in, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar energy that much easier. Plus, forward-thinking leadership has encouraged a growing solar market, and plenty of the best solar companies are hoping to capitalize on it. That's why River Forest offers many options for solar installers.
If you want to start taking advantage of the many perks of solar, we can help you narrow down your options to find the River Forest solar installer that’s the right price for you.Read on to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected to a trusted solar company near you right away by clicking the 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 River Forest
SunPower by Sun N Us
Informative Resources- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
FreeWorld Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
93Energy Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
RxSun
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
Windfree Solar Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
Unity Solar Group
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
Rethink Electric
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Reficiency Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Atlas Solar Advisors
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in River Forest
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in River 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 River 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 River Forest
We know that for many homeowners, the decision to invest in solar highly depends on installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should keep in mind when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you buy will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in River Forest uses a decent amount of, and consequently may save on their energy bills.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and city may also have incentives and rebates that you can benefit from. Plus, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- Your home's power bills: With high monthly electricity bills in River Forest, you could save about $1,200 a year with solar.
As a result of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as several solar incentives, they are a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in River Forest
Although solar power is typically a large investment, it can save you much money over the lifespan of your solar panels because of smaller energy bills and government incentives.When you install a solar panel system, you become eligible to claim the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you lower your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Plus, there may often be some local incentives that you can take advantage of to further cut back on the cost of solar of solar panels. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in River Forest
There are many reasons to switch to solar energy, like saving on electricity bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.Something many people might have in mind is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? According to the EPA, electricity production is the second biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and about 62% of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. Using solar power can help bring down that number in a city like River Forest that is responsible for a sizable amount of carbon dioxide emissions each year.In River Forest, the average household can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year once they go solar. If you want to do your part for the environment, you’ll likely understand that there are many benefits of adopting solar energy other than just saving money on electricity. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is priceless.
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 River Forest, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in River Forest?
The highest-rated local solar company in River Forest is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The biggest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, for some, totally erase your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and lower your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be costly to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 18.6 years, but the exact period varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
What are the different types of solar panels?
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 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.