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10 best solar companies in East Chicago, Indiana
Josephine NesbitHome improvement writer
Josephine Nesbit is a contributing writer for USA TODAY Homefront. She specializes in home impr...
Updated Jun 22, 2024
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We've ranked the top 10 solar companies that operate within 50 miles of East Chicago. We base our ranking off average customer ratings weighted against the number of reviews. For more information, check out our full methodology.
High-quality solar panel installation in East Chicago, Indiana, requires a solar installer that is properly certified, skilled and experienced. To help you find the right team, we’ve assembled a list of the top solar installers in East Chicago.
Before choosing an installer, ask others for recommendations, vet potential installers and obtain multiple quotes to find the right company for your needs. You can choose a local solar company in East Chicago or use an established national brand.
- Extends 25-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Provides solar panel and battery installation
- Offers comprehensive financing
Although solar panels call for a big upfront investment, you can cut your energy bills over the long run. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), switching to solar energy allows East Chicago homeowners to save $1,900 on average each year.
The products from different solar technicians vary. Make sure to compare companies and get quotes before you schedule your solar panel installation.
Find the top solar company for you in East Chicago
Seek out East Chicago solar companies that have at least 3.5 out of 5 stars in customer ratings on Google Reviews and similar review websites. The company should also have a respectable rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Looking at previous customer testimonials can provide insight into other homeowners' experiences working with the solar company. Frequent poor reviews are worth making a note of as a possible warning sign.
Greentech Renewables Chicago
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
WindSoleil Solar and Wind Energy Services
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Ailey Solar Electric, Inc.
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
RxSun
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
FreeWorld Solar
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
JD Pro Electric Inc
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Windfree Solar Co
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Kapital Electric, Inc.
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Summit Solar
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
Atlas Solar Advisors
Services offered
Highlights
- Clear pricing policy
More providers
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Certasun
SolarWerks, Solar Panel Installation
Phoenix Exteriors Roofing & Solar
Illinois Solar Express, LLC
What are the biggest reasons for going solar in East Chicago?
Regions with intermittent sunshine, including those with increased rain or clouds like East Chicago, can still make use of solar energy. A few key motivations to start using solar power include these:
- Charge an electric vehicle: With a solar panel system, you can power electric vehicles right from your home. Using your own solar power is the ideal method to guarantee your electric car is powered by clean, renewable energy.
- Save on energy bills: Switching to solar can help lower your electricity expenses. Solar panel systems use power to substitute for the electricity you would have otherwise bought from the utility company.
- Reduce environmental impact: Switching to solar lowers your carbon footprint by conserving fossil fuels that would instead be utilized to power your house. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that generating electricity is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.
Facts about East Chicago
Monthly Energy Spending Per Capita
Clear Sky Days Per Year
Annual Solar Savings Per kW
How much does it cost to install solar panels in East Chicago?
According to our survey conducted in October 2023, the average national cost of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The price of installing solar panels varies based on several elements, including your location, sunlight exposure, roof direction, shading, system size and labor. Be ready to pay extra if you choose any accessories like batteries, animal guards or solar trackers.
In East Chicago, solar panel installation costs an average of $25,659, based on data from the EIA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and NASA.
How much can you save by going solar in East Chicago?
Installing solar panels calls for sizable spending upfront, but you can make those costs back through significant reductions in your energy bills down the road.
Money savings in East Chicago from going solar
In East Chicago, you can anticipate saving money once you've fully switched to solar. But it takes time to recover the upfront costs, and factors like precipitation and tree coverage impact how soon you'll get a return on your solar investment.
- Payback period: The average payback period is the time it takes for a solar energy system to earn back its initial cost. The payback period in East Chicago is approximately 13 years, according to our calculations, which are based on data from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), NASA and the EIA.
- Annual solar savings in East Chicago: Based on calculations that leverage data from NASA, the Department of Energy and the EIA, East Chicago homeowners save around $1,913 per year with solar energy.
- Average total solar savings after 25 years: According to data we've compiled from NASA and the EIA, by moving completely to solar, you can plan to see a total savings of around $31,050 after 25 years.
Energy savings in East Chicago from going solar
In addition to monetary savings, adopting solar energy decreases your carbon footprint and environmental impact. We've calculated the approximated CO2 emission reductions you can achieve by going solar based on data from NASA and the EPA.
- CO2 emissions reduced per year: 87 lb/MWh
- CO2 emissions reduced over 25 years: 2175 lb/MWh
Best solar installation for you
Experts Ready to Help
What solar incentives are available in East Chicago?
Several solar incentives are available to East Chicago homeowners. Various programs are offered to all Indiana residents, while others differ by utility company, city and municipality.
The following solar incentives are accessible to Indiana residents, as listed in DSIRE:
| Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
|---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Renewable Energy Property Tax Exemption | Solar energy systems used for heating or cooling: out-of-pocket expenditures by the owner for the components and labor Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, and other solar energy systems: the assessed value of the system |
Rebate Program Noble REMC - Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Incentives | Dual Fuel Heat Pump: $500 Variable Speed Pool Pump: $250 Air-Source Heat Pump: $250-$750 Ground Source Heat Pump: $1500 Heat Pump Water Heater: $400 |
Feed-in Tariff NIPSCO - Feed-In Tariff | Wind 3 - 10 kW: $0.23 - $0.25/kWh Wind 10 kW-200 kW: $0.15 - $0.138/kWh Solar 5 kW - 10 kW: $0.17 - $0.1564/kWh Solar 10 - 200 kW: $0.15/kWh - $0.138/kWh Biomass 100kW - 1 MW: $0.0918/kWh |
Personal Tax Credit Federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | 30% federal tax credit for systems placed in service after 12/31/2021 and before 01/01/2033. Good for: solar water heat, solar photovoltaics, biomass, geothermal heat pumps, wind (small), fuel cells using renewable fuels. |
What are common factors to consider before hiring a East Chicago solar installer?
When selecting a solar installation expert, first review these important questions.
What size system do you need?
The size of your system is determined by your household’s energy consumption and the solar panel system's production ratio. Larger households generally use more energy and may require a bigger setup. If the system isn’t big enough, it may lack enough energy to power your entire house.
Is your home subject to specific permits and regulations?
Your solar plans may be impacted by certain regulatory requirements and state or local regulations. You must get proper permits through your local building department and coordinate an inspection.
Does your home get enough sunlight access?
Not all homes receive the same amount of sun. Local tree coverage, rain conditions and harsh weather can affect sunlight access. If your property doesn’t get enough sunlight, then you may need more panels with higher wattage.
Do you need a solar battery?
To conserve excess power, a lot of panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature is essential when sunlight is scarce and helps to mitigate power loss. However, using battery storage could increase overall installation expenses.
Which type of solar panel do you want?
There are several solar panel types available, with differences in efficiency, life expectancy and design. These aspects impact not just the cost, but also panel replacement frequency and roof space requirements.
Our methodology for selecting solar companies
The Homefront Local team employs a proprietary scoring algorithm that evaluates companies based on key factors you value, such as average customer review ratings and trustworthiness indicators. Our method for determining trust involves a comparative analysis of the number of reviews a company receives compared to its local competitors. This leads to companies that have earned more trust from your local community being awarded a higher score.
We review national and large regional solar providers against our full methodology. We score solar companies on reputation and customer reviews, service options, payment, financing and warranties.
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