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

Average Winnetka homeowner saves $1,232/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 01, 2024

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

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

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

SunPower by Sun N Us

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: https://www.sunpowerbysunnus.com/
Address: 1400 E Touhy Ave Unit 255, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: 8337866878
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

YellowLite

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: https://yellowlitechicago.business.site/
Address: 9981 W 190th Pl Unit K-1, Mokena, IL 60448
Phone: 8004908726
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

Windfree Solar Co

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Consultation

Website: https://www.windfree.us/
Address: 5022 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60630
Phone: 3125886953
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Certasun

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Consultation

Website: https://certasun.com/
Address: 1582 Barclay Blvd, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Phone: 3126380800
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.8/5

RxSun

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Consultation

Website: https://rxsun.com/
Address: 2211 N Elston Ave Suite 208, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 8006079786
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

JD Pro Electric Inc

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon EV Charger
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: http://www.jdproelectric.com/
Address: 9230 Grand Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60131
Phone: 8479162052
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

93Energy Solar

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: https://www.93energy.com/
Address: 4517 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60076
Phone: 7737912070
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

FreeWorld Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Solar Panel Upgrades
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs

Website: https://www.freeworldrenewables.com/
Address: 1212 N Ashland Ave 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 3125857761
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

4.7/5

Kapital Electric, Inc.

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Prompt Service Delivery
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon EV Charger
  • Service icon Tesla Powerwall
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Solar Panel Upgrades

Website: https://www.kapitalelectric.com/
Address: 1270 Mark St, Bensenville, IL 60106
Phone: 6308332389
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Atlas Solar Advisors

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: http://atlassolaradvisors.com/
Address: 3152 W Devon Ave STE 2D, Chicago, IL 60659
Phone: 8477737555
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

SolarW - Solar Panel Installer

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Maintenance

Website: http://solarpanelshighlandpark.com/
Address: 1376 Cavell Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: 2247079003
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.6/5

WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Energy Efficiency Audit
  • Service icon Off-Grid Solar Systems

Website: http://www.windsoleil.com/
Address: 401 N Trumbull Ave # D, Chicago, IL 60624
Phone: 2243074057
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Smart Sky Solar

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: http://www.smartskysolar.com/
Address: 250 Parkway Dr Ste 150, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Phone: 2242190544
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Green Power Works Inc

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Residential Panels

Website: http://greenpowerworksinc.com/
Address: 6124 N Milwaukee Ave #3, Chicago, IL 60646
Phone: 7737948888
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.6/5

Nelnet Renewable Energy

  • Pros icon Reliable Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Full-Service
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon EV Charger
  • Service icon Battery Storage
  • Service icon Consultation
  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Off-Grid Solar Systems

Website: http://www.nelnetenergy.com/
Address: 230 N Hicks Pl, Palatine, IL 60067
Phone: 8882025630

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

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries

Best for Leasing

Sunrun

★★★★★
4.0

  • 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.