15 Best Solar Companies in Winnetka, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Winnetka based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for Winnetka, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Winnetka homeowner saves $1,232/year with solar panels
Updated February 01, 2024
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Winnetka
Finding the best solar panel installation company for your house is a big decision, but it's one that can reap a lot of rewards in Winnetka. For lots of homeowners, the choice to invest in solar panels highly depends on how much they can save. The good news is solar can help most homeowners save a considerable amount on their large and increasing energy bills.
The cost of installing solar panels can change considerably depending on your home’s layout and your overall energy usage.Continue reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected to a certified solar company near you right away by clicking the button below.
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 Winnetka
SunPower by Sun N Us
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
YellowLite
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
Windfree Solar Co
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Consultation
Certasun
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
RxSun
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Maintenance
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- EV Charger
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
93Energy Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
FreeWorld Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Battery Storage
- Solar Panel Upgrades
- Commercial Panels
- Skilled Repairs
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- EV Charger
- Tesla Powerwall
- Residential Panels
- Battery Storage
- Commercial Panels
- Permit Assistance
- Consultation
- Solar Panel Upgrades
Atlas Solar Advisors
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
SolarW - Solar Panel Installer
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Permit Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Battery Storage
- Energy Efficiency Audit
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Smart Sky Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
Green Power Works Inc
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
Nelnet Renewable Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Full-Service
- Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- EV Charger
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Winnetka
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Winnetka 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 Winnetka
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 Winnetka
For many people considering switching to solar, the decision of which solar installer to hire comes down to how much it’ll cost.Some key things that determine the cost and possible savings include:
- The make and model of solar panels you want: Higher-efficiency panels are more highly priced, so that will determine your budget for your solar project.
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Because of Winnetka’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your power bills.
- How much energy you use: If your home needs to use a lot of energy, you'll benefit more from switching to solar.
- Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of 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 energy bills, which can give you an average of $15,000 of savings over 20 years.
There are lots of great benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the environment and your finances. Additionally, it can increase the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Winnetka
There are several reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them consists of some government incentives that can help save you some money.There are a lot of federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that may earn you a decent amount of money back after paying for a solar panel system. For detailed information about incentives for homeowners in Winnetka, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Winnetka
Installing solar panels is a compelling way to do your part for a more sustainable future.You may be trying to figure out – how much does making the switch help the environment anyway? The average person has a rather large carbon footprint. Between their car, which releases over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year, and powering their home, it can be overwhelming to figure out what to do. Installing solar panels is a simple thing you can do to help.In Winnetka, the average resident can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year once they go solar. Since solar energy is plentiful and makes electricity without releasing carbon emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help protect the planet.
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 Winnetka, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In Winnetka, 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 planning on installing solar panels on your home.
Are solar panels really good for the environment?
Solar panels can be harmful 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 needs a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
Is it worth installing solar panels on my home?
Solar panels require a significant upfront investment that costs over ten thousand dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like the cost of electricity near you and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
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 less 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.