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
As a homeowner or business owner in Riverside, you may be interested in switching to solar power and wondering about the best solar companies in your local area. Solar could be a fantastic idea since it has a lot of perks. Since energy bills are getting higher and higher each year, many homeowners are considering switching to solar to save money on electricity for their homes.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top Riverside solar installers so you can find the best one for your home’s sustainable energy needs.To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Riverside, you can click "get quote" 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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Riverside
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
YellowLite
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
FreeWorld Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
RxSun
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- 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
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
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
Reficiency Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
Windy City Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Fresh Coast Solar, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Unity Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- 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
We understand that for lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar comes down to installation costs.The installation cost is just one important factor you should take into account when looking into installing solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can get.
- Energy consumption: Installing a solar system may be an expensive option for households that don’t need a lot of energy each month.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to produce as much energy, which will give you lower savings on energy bills than a roof that gets a lot of sunlight.
- Your power bills: This will determine your savings. In Riverside, the average homeowner can save about $1,200 a year on their electricity bills.
Although a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you thousands of dollars in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, such as the kind of solar panels you get and incentives.
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Solar Incentives in Riverside
Switching to solar power has a lot of great benefits. Not only can it help preserve the environment, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives.You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar system. You can also potentially use the ITC with other state and city incentives. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Riverside
Making the switch to solar power is a good way to do what you can for a greener future.But how much can switching to solar actually help the environment? A significant thing to be mindful of is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if your commute is very long, your footprint may be greater, so switching to solar energy for your home can help offset that.Though making solar panels releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Riverside, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. The great things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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
Best for Leasing
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
EcoWatch's Riverside, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Riverside?
In Riverside, 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 on installing solar panels on your roof.
What is the negative environmental impact of making solar panels?
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.