Going solar is a big investment, so it’s important to find a company that balances quality and price. We at the This Old House Reviews Team have extensively researched the best solar power installers in the United States, comparing solar panel installation costs, services, and customer service reviews. We narrowed down our choices and compiled this guide to the best Illinois solar providers, from Chicago to Springfield.

 


 

Compare Solar Companies Across IL

Star Rating Superlative Location Presence BBB Rating Link
SunPower
Best High-Efficiency System 50 States A+
Blue Raven
Most Reputable 22 States A+
Sunrun
Best Solar Panel Leasing 20 States A+
ADT Solar
Best Solar Warranty 23 States A+
Palmetto
Best Customer Support 24 States A+
Tesla Solar
Best Solar Tech 50 States NR
SunPower
Logo SunPower
Star Rating
Superlative Best High-Efficiency System
Location Presence 50 States
BBB Rating A+
Get Quote
Blue Raven
Logo Blue Raven
Star Rating
Superlative Most Reputable
Location Presence 22 States
BBB Rating A+
Get Quote
Sunrun
Logo Sunrun
Star Rating
Superlative Best Solar Panel Leasing
Location Presence 20 States
BBB Rating A+
Get Quote
ADT Solar
Logo ADT Solar
Star Rating
Superlative Best Solar Warranty
Location Presence 23 States
BBB Rating A+
Get Quote
Palmetto
Logo Palmetto
Star Rating
Superlative Best Customer Support
Location Presence 24 States
BBB Rating A+
Get Quote
Tesla Solar
Logo Tesla Solar
Star Rating
Superlative Best Solar Tech
Location Presence 50 States
BBB Rating NR
Get Quote

Illinois’s Top Solar Energy Companies:


 

Our Top Solar Company Picks for Illinois

ADT Solar Best Solar Warranty
4.6
  • Why We Picked It: ADT Solar (formerly Sunpro Solar) is a great choice for customers who want to ensure their solar investment is protected. It offers a 25-year power production guarantee, plus extended warranty coverage on parts and panels.
Pros and Cons
Pros Three financing options Tailor-made app for system monitoring Installation protected with an extensive warranty Cons Minimal pricing information online Service area can be limited
ADT Solar Details

ADT Solar provides extensive coverage to protect your solar investment long-term. The company only sells high-quality, high-efficiency panels from big-name brands. It also offers a Power Production Guarantee and warranty coverage on workmanship, installation, inverters, and panels.

ADT Solar provides microinverter and solar battery installation. Microinverters convert sunlight into energy right at the panel, increasing efficiency and decreasing costs. Backup batteries store excess energy for use during low sunlight hours or blackouts.

ADT Solar will pay you $0.10 for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) your system falls short if it fails to perform at its projected production level. Finally, customers can monitor their system remotely with the Enphase Enlighten app, which allows you to measure your system’s production from anywhere in the world.

Learn more: ADT Solar review


 

Blue Raven Most Reputable
4.4
  • Why We Picked It: Blue Raven Solar is an excellent choice for customers looking for added benefits. The company boasts comprehensive warranties, no up-front costs, and custom solar system configurations for maximum energy efficiency.
Pros and Cons
Pros No up-front installation costs 18 months of free solar energy with select plans $250 bonus with customer referral plan Cons No PPA or lease options No quotes available online
Blue Raven Solar Details

Blue Raven Solar offers added benefits to ensure savings and reliability for its customers. Its systems include a 25-year warranty and a two-year productivity warranty. The company will upgrade your system for free if it doesn’t meet energy production estimates.

Though Blue Raven doesn’t offer leasing or PPA options, customers can pay for their system in full or opt for the BluePower+ loan. Those who choose the BluePower+ loan will receive 18 months of free solar power. Your monthly bill and interest rate will remain fixed once payments begin.

Learn more: Blue Raven Solar review


 

Palmetto Best Customer Support
4.4
  • Why We Picked It: Palmetto Solar is our top choice for customer service, including email, phone, and online support. It also offers an additional coverage plan with system monitoring for all solar owners, whether or not they have a Palmetto system.
Pros and Cons
Pros Comprehensive protection plan for customers and non-customers Cleaning, pest abatement, and leak troubleshooting included in its service plan 25-year output warranty for panels Cons Service not available in all locations No online quotes
Palmetto Solar Details

Palmetto Solar has accessible customer service and a convenient mobile app, so you’re able to see your projected energy savings and monitor your system.

The company offers up-front purchases or solar loans. It doesn’t offer solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs). Though this limits your payment options, it ensures you’ll own your system and have access to cost-saving tax incentives. Lease and PPA customers are disqualified from these incentives.

Palmetto has a monthly subscription protection plan that includes discounts on solar panel maintenance and cleaning, pest abatement, and solar system troubleshooting. The subscriptions are available in a tiered format, from basic to premium. The monthly subscription program is available regardless of whether you’ve purchased your system from Palmetto.

Learn more: Palmetto Solar review


 

Sunrun Best Solar Panel Leasing
4.4
  • Why We Picked It: Sunrun was founded in 2007 and has more than a decade of experience in the solar industry. It provides a range of financing options, making it ideal for customers who want payment flexibility.
Pros and Cons
Pros Variety of financing options Online customer service Theft and damage coverage Cons Product availability varies by state Some negative customer reviews
Sunrun Details

Sunrun is a seasoned company with flexible financing options. It offers a full-amount lease, full-system purchase, monthly lease, and monthly loan. Sunrun offers full service to all of its customers regardless of the purchasing plan selected.

Leasing customers receive protection from damage, degradation, and theft. Sunrun will fix your system for free if its efficiency decreases. This is a huge benefit and can save you from costly repairs.

Non-leasing customers can purchase these services through an added Protection Plus subscription, which covers parts and labor for repairs.

Learn more: Sunrun review


 

Solar Incentives in Illinois

All solar owners are eligible for the federal solar tax credit (also known as the investment tax credit or ITC). This credit provides a tax reduction equal to 30% of your solar energy costs. The rate will drop to 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034 before ending.

You may also qualify for state incentives and rebates. Here are some of the key programs Illinois offers:

  • Adjustable Block Program: The Adjustable Block Program, also known as Illinois Shines, provides one solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) for each megawatt-hour (MWh) your system produces over a 15-year period. These certificates can amount to thousands in savings. 
  • Illinois net-metering: Utility companies will buy back excess energy your system produces under the statewide net-metering program.
  • Property tax breaks: Thanks to the special assessment for solar energy systems, Illinois homeowners’ property taxes won’t go up even though installing a solar system increases home value.

 


 

Our Conclusion

The best solar provider depends on your individual priorities and home’s energy needs. Palmetto Solar is our top pick due to its extensive customer support, comprehensive service plan, remote monitoring capabilities, and additional protection coverage.

Consider your monthly energy consumption, sunlight exposure, and roof’s shape and direction when researching companies. These will all factor into your solar panel costs. We recommend getting at least three quotes before making a final decision.

 


 

FAQs About Solar Companies in Illinois

 


 

Our Methodology

The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. After over a thousand hours of research on solar companies, interviews with experts, and common customer needs, we’ve created a detailed rating system for solar providers based on six factors:

  • Solar equipment, installation, and services (25%)
  • Warranty and performance guarantees (25%)
  • Brand reputation and certifications (15%)
  • Financing options (15%)
  • Experience (10%)
  • Availability (10%)

Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.