15 Best Solar Companies in Shields, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Shields based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Shields, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Shields homeowner saves $1,144/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Shields
If you’re a homeowner looking to take advantage of the solar incentives in Shields, it can be difficult to narrow down which company to go with. But, the hard work is worth it since switching to solar power is typically a great idea. Because Shields has a great capacity for solar energy generation, switching to solar is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
In this article, we’ll help you find the top companies in your area.To get a sense of how much it could cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to be connected to a certified installer near you.
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 Shields
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Certasun
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
SolarW - Solar Panel Installer
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Smart Sky Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
Greentech Renewables North Chicago
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Semper Solr
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
ilumen Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
93Energy Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Windfree Solar Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
Rethink Electric
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Shields
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Shields 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 Shields
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 Shields
When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs the most.A few important factors that dictate the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Your income and budget: This guides what kind of solar panels you can buy.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Shields gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which affects how much you can save on your energy bills.
- Your home's power bills: Due to high monthly energy bills in Shields, you could save about $1,200 a year with solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, lets you deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $14,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
Even though a solar panel system costs a good 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 kind of solar panels you get and your local electricity rates.
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Solar Incentives in Shields
In an effort to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, federal and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make solar power more financially viable and accessible.You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also potentially use the ITC with other state and city rebates and benefits. Check out our article on solar incentives to find out what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Shields
There are lots of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving on utility bills and helping to lower your carbon footprint.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Shields, though. In Shields, where the energy generation can be rather dirty, going solar can have a significant effect on the planet since solar power is an abundant source of clean energy.In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. For people who care about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset 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
EcoWatch's Shields, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installation company in Shields?
The highest-rated local solar company in Shields is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panels?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. 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 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 varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
How often do solar panels have to be replaced?
On average, solar panels can last 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 larger 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.