15 Best Solar Companies in Riverside, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Riverside based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Riverside, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Riverside homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
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Best Solar Companies in Riverside
When deciding on the best solar companies, Riverside homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be too much to get a handle on, but we’re here to make adopting solar energy that much easier. Since the cost of energy is increasing each year, many homeowners are planning on switching to solar to save money on electricity for their homes.
If you’re thinking about going solar, the first step to make is to find the best solar companies in Riverside and compare quotes. That’s why we took the time and compiled a list of the best solar companies so you don’t have to.To start getting free quotes from the best solar companies in Riverside, you can click "get quote" 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 Riverside
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
FreeWorld Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
RxSun
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Windfree Solar Co
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Unity Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
Reficiency Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
93Energy Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Rethink Electric
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Permit Assistance
Windy City Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Riverside
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Riverside 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 Riverside
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 Riverside
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs above all.There are several factors you should consider when trying to determine costs and your potential savings, such as:
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you need 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 go with a higher number of more affordable panels.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Riverside uses a decent amount of, and consequently may save on their energy bills.
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Because of Riverside’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your power bills.
- Your power bills: This will determine your savings. In Riverside, the average resident can save about $1,200 a year on their electricity bills.
Even though a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, such as the angle of your roof and your energy consumption.
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Solar Incentives in Riverside
If you’re thinking about switching to solar power, a variety of government incentives and tax credits can drastically reduce your project costs and expedite the return on your investment.When you install a solar panel system on your house, 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. In addition, there are often some local incentives that you can benefit from to further save. Our article on solar incentives has more detailed information on the incentives you can find in Riverside.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Riverside
One of the best reasons to embrace solar energy is to cut your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment.A question many people might be thinking about is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power anyway? An important thing to consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute, your footprint may be larger, so switching to solar energy for your house can help offset that.Although solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Riverside, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For those 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 Riverside, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in Riverside is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels really eco-friendly?
Making solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your energy bills are already pretty low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient are solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating of about 15 to 25%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need less of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.