15 Best Solar Companies in Summit, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Summit based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Summit, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Summit homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Summit
When choosing between the best solar panel companies, Summit homeowners have more options than ever before, which can be too much to get a handle on, but we're here to make adopting solar energy easier. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with a solar panel system, you can save about $13,000 on your electricity bills.
In this article, we'll help you find the top companies in your area. To see how much you might have to pay to install a solar panel system on your roof, you can get a free quote from one of the top solar companies in Summit by clicking the "get quote" button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Summit
SunPower by Sun N Us
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Reliable Customer Support - Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
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Limited information available on website
Services Offered
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Tailored solutions - Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
YellowLite
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
Windy City Solar Group
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Skilled repairs
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
- Business installations
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
FreeWorld Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Skilled repairs
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Energy storage solutions
Tesla Solar Chicago
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Solar Simplified
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Expert panel installation
ENGIE North America
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Business installations
- Tailored solutions
Verde Solutions LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Energy storage solutions
- End-to-end services
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Fresh Coast Solar, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- End-to-end services
- Tailored solutions
Dominion Lighting & Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Unity Solar Group
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
- Business installations
- Energy storage solutions
- Integrated roofing
- Tailored solutions
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Summit
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Summit 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 Summit
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 Summit
Solar panels run off a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you must first pay to install your panels. The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- The kind of solar panel system you can purchase: This hinges on what your budget is.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save a decent amount of money on your power bills, which can generate an average of $13,000 of savings over 20 years.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Summit gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much you can save on your energy bills.
- How much power your home consumes: Households that need plenty of electricity each month may need more solar panels and, therefore, be more expensive, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
There are many good benefits of solar even with the initial cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you decide to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Summit
There are several reasons why going solar is a great investment. One of them includes some government incentives you can take advantage of. State and city solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar panels, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. Our article on solar incentives goes over more detailed information on the incentives you can take advantage of in Summit.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Summit
There are a few main reasons why homeowners are interested in solar energy: to put more money in their bank account and to help the planet. But — how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? The more power your household uses, the the more the environment will benefit if you switch to solar as you won't need to use as much nonrenewable energy. Because solar panels don't release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when generating electricity, they're a good swap for traditional energy sources. In fact, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, using solar power has so many other rewards beyond saving money. One of the primary ones is that you can help save the planet too.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
EcoWatch's Summit, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the most reputable solar company in Summit?
The best local solar company in Summit is ilumen Solar, with a rating of 4.01 stars.
Are solar panels actually good for the environment?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals when they're made. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels generally pay for themselves in about 13.5 years, but your solar payback period will depend on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on the amount of power they produce under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
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.