15 Best Solar Companies in University Park, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in University Park based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for University Park, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average University Park homeowner saves $1,126/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in University Park
When choosing between the best solar panel installers, University Park homeowners have more choices than ever before, which can be a lot to take in, but we’re here to make making the switch to solar power less confusing. Because solar panels generate their own electrical power, they can greatly reduce your electricity bill each month, if not completely eliminate it. In fact, you could look forward to about $13,000 of savings over 20 years.
To help you comb through the large amount of University Park solar installers, we’ve narrowed down a list of the top ones.To get a sense of what it could cost to put 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
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in University Park
SunPower by Sun N Us
Free Quotes- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
YellowLite
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
B.T. Electric Inc
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Summit Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables Chicago
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Reficiency Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
FreeWorld Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Solar Power Midwest LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- System Decommissioning
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
RxSun
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Unity Solar Group
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
SolarShift
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in University Park
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in University Park 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 University Park
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 University Park
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you will first need to pay to install your panels.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you get can raise or lower your upfront cost. Plus, the more solar panels you need to buy, the more it'll cost.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to produce as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electric bills than a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Your energy bills: This will determine how much you can save. In University Park, the average homeowner can save about $1,200 a year on their electricity bills.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone qualifies for, lets you deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. In addition, not including incentives, you can save about $13,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
Although a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the amount of daily direct sunlight available and your local electricity rates.
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For an idea of both how much you could save and help protect the environment by switching to solar power, you can give the calculator below a try. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for University Park, IL.
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Solar Incentives in University Park
One of the great things about installing a solar panel system is receiving government incentives.When you install solar panels on your house, you can take advatage of the federal tax credit, or ITC. This credit currently lets you reduce your tax bill by 0 of the cost of your solar panels. Additionally, there may often be some state and city incentives that you can benefit from to further save. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in University Park
Swapping traditional energy for solar is a great way to do your part for a more sustainable future.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in University Park, though. One thing you should keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you have a long commute time and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions.While solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used traditional energy. In University Park, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other benefits outside of saving money. One of the main ones is that you can help save the environment too.
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
Best Technology
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
EcoWatch's University Park, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in University Park?
The best local solar company in University Park is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels really eco-friendly?
Solar panels can be detrimental 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. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels require a large upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a collection of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.
How long do solar panels last?
Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is the amount of energy they produce will have decreased significantly after that point. You can choose to replace them once you've had them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.
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.