15 Best Solar Companies in Wilmette, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Wilmette based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Wilmette, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Wilmette homeowner saves $1,207/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Wilmette
Do you want energy freedom in Wilmette? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding investment since you can take advantage of many perks when you switch to solar power. Because solar panels generate their own power, they can vastly lower your electricity bill each month, if not entirely eliminate it. In fact, you could be looking at about $14,000 of savings over 20 years.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in Wilmette, you might notice that there are a lot of providers to choose from. So, we’ve accumulated an expertly curated list of the top solar companies in the area.Want to see how much you would pay to install solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a top-rated Wilmette solar installer.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Wilmette
SunPower by Sun N Us
Free Quotes- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Consultation
Windfree Solar Co
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
RxSun
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
FreeWorld Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Certasun
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
93Energy Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Battery Storage
Atlas Solar Advisors
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
SolarW - Solar Panel Installer
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Green Power Works Inc
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Wilmette
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Wilmette 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 Wilmette
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 Wilmette
Even though solar panels can help save you a decent chunk of change on energy bills over time, it’s necessary to consider the upfront costs.A few main factors that affect the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much it could save you over time include:
- How much energy costs for you: The average household in Wilmette spends around $1,200 a year on electricity alone, so you could end up with that much in savings.
- The kind of solar panels you can purchase: This is dependent on your income and budget.
- Your home's orientation toward the sun: This, along with how your roof is set up, affects affect how much power your solar panels can produce.
- How much energy your household consumes: Households that use plenty of energy each month may require more solar panels and, therefore, more upfront cost, but will also enjoy more savings over time.
Even though a solar panel system costs a good chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more over time. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the kind of solar panels you get and your local electricity rates.
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Solar Incentives in Wilmette
Although a solar power system is typically a large investment, it can save you a significant amount of money over time due to smaller energy bills and government incentives.These incentives usually take the form of cash rebates, tax benefits and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower how much you pay for going solar by 0, upwards of 50% in some cases. You can find out about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Wilmette
There are a few important reasons why homeowners are considering solar energy: to help their wallet and the environment.But you may be curious – how much exactly can you help by going solar? Everyone can help the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume a lot of energy will have a bigger impact.In Wilmette, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. For those who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
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 Wilmette, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In Wilmette, SunPower by Sun N Us is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your roof.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your electricity bills, it’s a sustainable source of energy, and it can provide a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t produce electricity at night, the startup costs are high and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 17.4 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the quicker your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.