12 Best Solar Companies in Thornton, IL (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Thornton based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Thornton, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Thornton homeowner saves $1,132/year with solar panels
Updated May 04, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Thornton
Searching for the top solar companies in Thornton? Installing a solar panel system is an exciting home addition that many homeowners find rewarding for their wallets, communities and the planet. Because Thornton has a great capacity for solar power generation, installing solar panels is financially rewarding for many homeowners.
If you want to start taking advantage of the great amount of perks of solar, we'll help you narrow down your options to find the Thornton solar installer that's right for you. To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Thornton, click 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
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Thornton
Average Cost
SunPower
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Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Sunrun
- Expansive service area
- Many financing options
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Some reported issues with door-to-door sales
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Average Cost
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
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Millennium Solar Electric Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Home installations
Greentech Renewables Chicago
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
Selenium Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Energy storage solutions
- Home installations
INCARE Wind and Solar
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Solar Enterprises USA
- Informative Resources
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
B.T. Electric Inc
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Outstanding Customer Support
- Recognized Excellence
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled repairs
- Business installations
- Expert panel installation
- Home installations
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Thornton
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Thornton 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 Thornton
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 Thornton
We know that for lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar rests on installation costs. The overall price and potential savings vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- Your location: This affects the average daily sunlight your roof gets, which helps determine how many panels you need.
- System size and type: Some models are more expensive than others, so the one you want to get can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
- How much you spend on energy: The typical household in Thornton shells out around $900 a year on power alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you deduct 30% of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $13,000 over the first 20 years with your system, too.
Solar is a profitable investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and take advantage of solar incentives, all while helping protect the environment.
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Solar Incentives in Thornton
To increase the adoption of solar power, federal, state and local governments — and even some utility companies — offer incentives to help make solar more financially viable and accessible. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn some money back after installing a qualifying system. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Thornton
There are a few key reasons why homeowners are considering solar energy: for the financial and environmental benefits. But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? If your home consumes lots of energy, you can impact the environment even more by switching to solar energy. While solar panel manufacturing emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by considerably decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Thornton, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. If you want to do what you can for the environment, you'll most likely understand that there are many advantages to adopting solar energy other than just saving money on bills. You can also help preserve the environment, which some would argue is more valuable.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Warranty Coverage
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
EcoWatch's Thornton, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installation company in Thornton?
The top local solar company in Thornton is SunRise Solar Attic Fans, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are the best and worst things about solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can lower or, in some cases, totally eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home's value and cut back on your carbon footprint. The main disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save a lot if you don't use a lot of electricity and it doesn't work for all roof types and locations.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my house?
Solar panels call for a considerable upfront investment that usually costs at least ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like how much you pay for electricity and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
When is the best time of year to install solar panels?
You can install solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when the demand is less. With fewer homeowners going solar, you could potentially see quicker installation times and more savings.
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.