15 Best Solar Companies in Darien, IL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Darien based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Darien, IL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Darien homeowner saves $1,107/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Darien
If you’re a homeowner looking to make the most of the solar incentives in Darien, it can be a lot of work to narrow down which installer to go with. But, the hard work is worth it since adopting solar power is typically a fantastic choice. Solar power isn't just good for the environment — your budget will thank you too. Once you switch to solar power, you can save an average of $13,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
In this article, we’ll help you narrow down the top options in your area.To get an estimate of what it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Darien
SunPower by Sun N Us
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Consultation- Panel Installation
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Reficiency Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
JD Pro Electric Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Unity Solar Group
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Kapital Electric, Inc.
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
Summit Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
SolarShift
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Community Solar Projects
- Financing Assistance
Sunset Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Solar Power Midwest LLC
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
FreeWorld Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Vantage Home Solar Illinois
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
Windy City Solar Group
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Darien
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Darien 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 Darien
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 Darien
The cost of putting up solar panels has decreased significantly over the past several years, but it’s still a significant investment for most homeowners.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things such as:
- Your income and budget: This affects what kind of solar panels you can buy.
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Darien uses a decent amount of, and therefore may save on their energy bills.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their installation costs by using the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $13,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Because of Darien’s high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a decent amount on your power bills.
There are several good benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the environment and your wallet. Plus, it can raise the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Adopting green energy can considerably impact both the environment and your monthly expenses. To see how much, check out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Darien, IL.
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Solar Incentives in Darien
There are many reasons why adopting solar power is beneficial. One of them includes some government incentives that can save you money.These incentives normally take the form of cash rebates, tax benefits and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can cut how much you end up spending on going solar by 0, upwards of 50% depending on where you live. For more information about local incentives, check out our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Darien
One of the most compelling reasons to embrace solar power is to minimize your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment.You may be asking yourself – how much does making the switch help the planet anyway? If your family consumes a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar power.In fact, if you make the switch to solar power, you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. For homeowners who want to help the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.
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
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Darien, IL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar company is the best near me?
The highest-rated local solar company in Darien is SunPower by Sun N Us, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What are a few of the biggest pros and cons of installing solar panels?
A few of the biggest pros are that it decreases your electricity bills, it’s environmentally friendly, and it can provide a decent return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don’t work as well when there’s limited direct sunlight, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels can be an eyesore.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels need a significant upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a range of factors like how much you pay for electricity and how much direct sunlight your roof gets.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of solar energy 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.