The nation's best solar company in Chicago
ADT Solar Energy
Calculate your solar energy costs and savings instantly. Then choose a provider.
Not only does ADT Solar offer a variety of quality solar panels, solar panels and inverters, but they also stand out with warranties.
ADT Select panels are guaranteed to return 85% to 89% of their rated output within 25 years of installation. There is also a 25-year workmanship warranty, a 25-year workmanship warranty and a 25-year roofing warranty during installation.
You can't lease ADT panels or enter into a power purchase agreement, so this company is a great choice if you're looking to buy solar panels.
Read our ADT Solar review.
Palmetto Solar, one of the top 10 solar companies in the country, currently installs Qcells panels, REC Alpha Pure Black and Sonnen batteries. The company offers third-party monitoring followed by proactive communication in the event of your system failure. Palmetto has a 10-year manufacturing warranty and a five-year weather warranty, which is shorter than some of its competitors.
You can buy panels or enter into a lease or power purchase agreement.
Read our Palmetto Solar review.
SunPower uses Maxeon solar panels, which have the highest efficiency in the residential market: up to 22.8%. But these panels usually come at a higher price, so companies have recently started offering more affordable options as well.
Consumers can also expect a solid warranty when using SunPower. The company claims its panels will produce 92% or more of their original capacity after 25 years and their batteries will retain 70% of their charge after 10 years.
When you finance with SunPower, you can buy or lease panels or enter into a power purchase agreement.
Read our SunPower Solar review.
Local Chicago Solar Panel Installer
Solar throne
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Tron Solar was founded in Vernon Hills, Illinois in 2018 and has since installed more than 800 solar projects in the region. The company serves 11 states and has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Tron offers a 10-year full service warranty, a 25-year factory warranty and a 10-year roof warranty. Like most solar companies, you can use a mobile app to monitor your system's output in real time.
How can I determine which solar company is best for me?
The best solar installer for your needs is one that has experience with the type of solar project you are interested in. You should make sure that your installer has experience with the type of roof on your home and the type of system you want to install, such as online or offline.
You should look for solar panel installers who are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals and have the proper licenses and bonds to do their job. Reading online reviews can also help you better understand the installer's reputation. Some common places to start looking for solar company reviews are Google, Yelp, and Angie's (formerly Angie's List).
When browsing these third-party sites, look for installers with at least 20-30 reviews. If you know someone who has solar panels on their home, ask for solar installation recommendations as well.
Then get estimates and read contracts to understand what you're paying. “Will you own the panels or is it a lease or power purchase arrangement? ", said Westerhold. "Many companies have potentially confusing marketing."
In Chicago, Westerhold said, you can contact ComEd's My Green Power Connection team, which can help you evaluate proposals and get advice. Try to get customer testimonials for every company you work for. You can also visit the websites of the Better Business Bureau and the Illinois Commerce Connection and search for complaints about the installation companies you are comparing.
In addition to exams and certification, there are a few other things that solar installers need to be aware of. A good installer can:
- Give good word of mouth recommendations
- Clarify project timelines
- Define technical terms easily for understanding
- Be transparent about pricing and how the financing system works
- Understand local permitting requirements and the system interconnection process with your local electric company
- Understanding home owner association rules and restrictions to help navigate the process
Cost of solar panels in Chicago
According to Scott Vogt, ComEd's vice president of energy strategy and policy, a typical ComEd customer in Chicago pays about $23,000 to install a solar system. The average consumer received $17,900 in federal, state and utility benefits. They had to finance the remaining $5,100. Low-income customers pay about $21,000 for solar panels and can get 100 percent of it through incentives.
Of course, your costs may vary depending on:
- The size of your solar panel.
- The pitch of your roof.
- The type of solar panel you purchased.
- You have purchased a battery system.
- Tax benefits, payment programs and the benefits you receive.
According to consulting firm Wood Mackenzie, the national average cost of an 8 kW system is $23,920, or $3 per watt.
Chicago solar incentives and rebates
Although solar panels are becoming more affordable every year, they can still cost tens of thousands of dollars. But there are many ways Chicagoans can save money by going solar.
For example, the Federal Clean Energy Home Loan will cover up to 30% of the cost of qualifying clean energy improvements to your home, and state programs like Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar For All may cover some or all the balance. Illinois also allows a property tax exemption, so you won't pay more tax just for installing solar panels. Utility programs like net metering and solar rebates can also help you save money. Summary of programs available in Chicago:
How to pay for solar panels in Chicago
Like most major expenses, you can pay for solar panels in several ways. Before you buy panels for your home, find out how you will pay for them. Whether you use your savings, take out a loan, or use the installer's preferred method, here are the options available to you:
- Money: Prepaying panels can be the cheapest option because you don't have to pay interest or fees. The downside is that you take money away from other financial goals.
- Solar Panel Loans: Many solar energy companies offer solar panel loans. This can be an easy and convenient option, especially if you get financing from a solar installation company.
- Other types of loans: You can also get a personal loan or home equity line of credit from a bank or credit union, which may offer lower interest rates and better credit terms. If your installer doesn't offer solar credits and you don't have the money to pay for the panels up front, this may be a good option. Be aware of the risks of a home equity loan: If you default, you could lose your home.
- Power Lease or Purchase Agreement: You can also lease solar panels, where a third-party company installs the panels and then pays you a monthly rental fee. It is usually more expensive in the long run. The power purchase agreement is similar, but you will buy power from the solar company on a kilowatt-hour basis just like you would from an electric company.
Installation factors to consider
Before you contact a panel installer, it's a good idea to evaluate your home and see if it's a good candidate for a solar system. Your utility company is a good place to start, says Westerhold.
A utility company can help evaluate your roof, determine if you qualify for solar incentives and explain your financing options.
Here are some factors to consider:
- The condition of the roof. Before installing the panels, a professional should inspect your roof and make sure there are no leaks or other problems.
- The statute of economic companies. Illinois law says HOAs can't ban solar installations, but they can regulate their placement under certain circumstances.
- Your tax bill. Illinois allows property tax adjustments, so if the value of your home increases after installing solar panels, you won't pay more tax.
- Home insurance. You must notify your insurance company that you have installed solar panels. Your prices may increase.
- Sunlight and tree cover. Solar panels work in cold weather but must be installed in direct sunlight. If your roof is heavily shaded, you may be a good candidate for community solar.
- Whether you own or rent a home. If you rent a property, you may need your landlord's permission to put up signs. Keep in mind that you may need to own a home to qualify for solar incentives.
- Your property's energy needs. A panel installer can help you determine how many solar panels you need, but there are ways to estimate your costs ahead of time.
How we rate solar companies
The companies we've listed as "best" above were selected from CNET's list of the best solar companies. Companies on the top list are rated based on the hardware, warranty and customer service they provide. We will then verify that these instructions are available in your country. You can read our full analysis of how we rate solar companies here.
The companies listed in the list of local installers are less rigorously selected. We choose them because they offer something unique or important to customers in that state, they are respected by online reviewers, or they are one of the few installers we can review. find information in this case.
Regardless of whether we've done a thorough background check on a company, it's always a good idea to get several quotes from different installers before choosing a company.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of solar panels?
Solar panels can help you become 100% energy independent or live without electricity. In Chicago, which allows net metering, you can sell excess solar power back to the grid. This will help you save money and potentially generate additional income. However, if your roof is not a good candidate for solar panels, you may want to consider signing up for a community solar program.
Are solar panels worth it in Chicago?
Yes, solar panels can be a profitable investment for many Chicago area residents. You can use ComEd's solar calculator to find out if your property is a good candidate for a panel. The calculator checks the orientation of your house, the height of the roof and the shade of your property. It can also help you get discounts and other incentives to lower the cost of these panels.
How long does it take for solar panels to pay for themselves?
Vogt said it takes the average ComEd customer in the Chicago area about five to six years to recoup the cost of solar panels through monthly energy savings. Low-income customers can recoup their costs in about 15 months.
