15 Best Solar Companies in Riverwoods, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Riverwoods based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Riverwoods, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Riverwoods homeowner saves $1,144/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Riverwoods
When deciding on the best solar companies, Riverwoods homeowners have more providers to choose from than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar power easier. The average home can save $14,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And since solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, you can save will be well above that overall.
If you want to take advantage of the great number of benefits of solar, we’ll help you narrow down your options to find the Riverwoods solar installer that’s perfect for you.To get free quotes from the top solar companies in Riverwoods, 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
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 Riverwoods
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
YellowLite
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Certasun
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
Smart Sky Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
ilumen Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Skilled Repairs
Greentech Renewables North Chicago
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Windfree Solar Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Semper Solr
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
SolarW - Solar Panel Installer
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
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
93Energy Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
TruHome Pros Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Riverwoods
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Riverwoods 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 Riverwoods
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 Riverwoods
The cost of putting up solar panels has dropped greatly in the past few years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.Some important things that determine the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- The model of solar panels you’re thinking of getting: Higher-efficiency panels have higher prices, so that will affect your budget for your solar project.
- Typical energy usage: The more energy your home consumes on average and the larger your current energy bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from going solar.
- The amount of sunlight your city gets: Because of Riverwoods’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save on your energy bills, which can give you an average of $14,000 of savings over 20 years.
There are many great benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. Plus, it can raise the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Riverwoods
To increase solar panel installation and usage, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make switching to solar power more affordable and accessible.Everyone can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of your project costs on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. Plus, there may be some state and city incentives that can save you some extra money too. In our article on solar incentives, you can read about the incentives you qualify for near you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Riverwoods
There are a few main reasons why people are considering solar energy: to help their wallet and the environment.A question many people might be wondering about is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? For people who care about the environment, going solar is an easy decision, especially since Riverwoods produces a high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.Though solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably lowering the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Riverwoods, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. For people who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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 Riverwoods, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar installation company in Riverwoods?
The best local solar company in Riverwoods is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful 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. Solar panel manufacturing uses 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 buying solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 18.4 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a higher amount of energy production.
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.