15 Best Solar Companies in West Chicago, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in West Chicago based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for West Chicago, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average West Chicago homeowner saves $1,406/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in West Chicago
Finding the best solar panel installation company for your home is a big decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in West Chicago. With an average energy bill of $1,156 per month in West Chicago, switching to solar power can reduce your monthly bills by about that much.
If you’re considering going solar, the first step to take is to find the best solar companies in West Chicago and compare quotes. The good news is we did the hard work and made a list of the best solar companies so you don’t have to.We suggest shopping around for quite a few quotes and comparing them to see which is the best installer for your home. To receive free quotes from trusted solar panel companies in West Chicago, click the link below.
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 West Chicago
SunPower by Sun N Us
Clear Pricing Policy- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
Reficiency Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Unity Solar Group
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Semper Solr
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Safeguard Solar LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Rethink Electric
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Solar Panel Upgrades
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Vantage Home Solar Illinois
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
ilumen Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
TruHome Pros Solar
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
GoSolar
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in West Chicago
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in West Chicago 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 West Chicago
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 West Chicago
For a lot of homeowners, the decision to invest in a solar energy system depends the most on the cost.Some important things that impact the cost and possible savings include:
- How much power your household needs: If your family uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from going solar.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 0 of the cost of your solar system installation from your federal taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $17,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need to get, the more it'll cost.
- Your current electric bills: Solar panels can greatly decrease, or totally eradicate, your utility bills. In West Chicago, you can save an average of $1,156 a month.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to decrease your electric bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a good investment for many West Chicago homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in West Chicago
Since solar power is a cleaner source of energy than traditional energy sources, there are quite a few government incentives in place to encourage people to make the switch.You are eligible for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also possibly use the ITC with other state and city incentives. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in West Chicago
There are tons of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar power, like saving some money on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.But – how much exactly can you help the planet by going solar? Adopting solar power is an impactful choice for the environment, due to the fact that the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.Even though solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by greatly lowering the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used nonrenewable energy. In West Chicago, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. Since solar power is plentiful and generates electricity without releasing carbon emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help preserve the environment.
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 West Chicago, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in West Chicago?
The highest-rated local solar company in West Chicago is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle 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 for solar to pay for itself?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 15.0 years, but the exact period varies by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on how many watts of power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average house 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.