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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 Norwood Park. 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 Norwood Park, Illinois requires you to hire a solar installer with the right certification, skills and experience. We've assembled a list of the best solar companies in Norwood Park to help you choose the right installer.
Before selecting an installer, ask others for recommendations, vet potential installers and obtain multiple quotes to find the right company for your requirements. You can look for a local solar company in Norwood Park or pick an established national brand.
While installing solar panels requires a significant initial investment, it can lower your energy bills over time. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that transitioning to solar energy allows Norwood Park homeowners to save an average of $900 every year.
The offerings from different solar technicians vary. Take the time to compare companies and get quotes before you schedule your solar panel installation.
Search for Norwood Park solar companies with a minimum of 3.5 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews and similar customer review platforms. The company should also have a high 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 noting as a possible red flag.
Below are additional solar installation companies that didn’t make our top picks based on their distance, ratings or service offerings.
Places with varied sunshine levels, including rainy or cloudy areas like Norwood Park, can still use solar power. The primary reasons to adopt solar energy are:
Our survey from October 2023 showed that the national average price of solar panel installation is $11,743.
The cost of installing solar panels varies based on several factors, including your location, sunlight exposure, roof direction, shading, system size and labor. Be prepared to pay extra if you pick any extras like batteries, animal guards or solar trackers.
As per numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the EIA and NASA, solar panel installation in Norwood Park has a typical cost of $16,818.
Though installing solar panels requires a substantial investment to start, you can achieve considerable savings on your energy bills in the future.
In Norwood Park, you can expect to save money after switching fully to solar. However, it takes time to recoup the initial investment, and factors such as rain and tree coverage affect how long it takes to see a return on your solar investment.
Not only does adopting solar save you money, but it also shrinks your carbon footprint and its impact on the environment. Below are projected CO2 emission reductions you can expect from going solar, according to our calculations based on data from NASA and the EPA.
Experts Ready to Help
Norwood Park homeowners can benefit from various solar incentives. Specific programs are provided statewide to all Illinois residents, while others differ based on city, municipality and utility company.
According to the DSIRE, here are the solar incentives offered to Illinois residents:
Name / Incentive Type | Incentive Amount/Details |
---|---|
Property Tax Incentive Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems | Varies |
Rebate Program ComEd - Energy Efficiency Program for Residential | Appliances Air Purifier: $50 Clothes Washer: $50 Dehumidifier: $50 Electric Clothes Dryer: $50 Freezer: $50 Refrigerator: $50 Room Air Conditioner: $25 Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: Free pickup and $50, plus an additional $10 if recycling a room A/C at the same time Heating & Cooling Air Source Heat Pump: $400 - $600 Central A/C: $300 - $600 Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $400 Geothermal Heat Pump: Up to $6,000/home Furnace Blower Motor (ECM): $50 - $100 Miscellaneous Advanced Power Strip: $10 Air Sealing: Up to $400/home Attic Insulation: Up to $300/home Duct Sealing: Up to $500/home Lighting: In-store discounts, varies Pool Pump: $275 Smart Thermostat: $100 Wall Insulation: Up to $400/home |
Solar Renewable Energy Credit Program Solar Renewable Energy Credits | Negotiated with procurement administrators |
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. |
Consider the following before hiring a solar panel installation professional.
Your household's energy use and the solar system's production ratio determine the appropriate panel system size for you. Bigger homes tend to use more power and will potentially need more extensive solar setups. An undersized system faces the risk of inadequate energy generation to fully power your home.
Required permits and local or state laws could influence your solar project. Be sure to apply for necessary permits through your local building department and book an inspection.
Not all residences get similar amounts of sunlight. Area tree cover, precipitation levels and severe weather can impact sunlight amounts. If your home doesn't get enough sun, it may require more panels with higher wattage.
For extra power storage, a lot of panel systems come equipped with a solar battery. This feature is essential in cloudy conditions and helps to prevent power loss. However, using battery storage could increase setup expenses.
You have options among solar panel types, as they vary in efficiency, design and life expectancy. These elements influence cost, how soon you'll need to swap panels and space used on your roof.
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.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics. Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Go back to top
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Our guide explores the best solar companies available. Trinity and Elevation top our list for their services, and Sunrun rounds it out with its leasing options.
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While you can save money installing DIY solar panels, it’s not a simple home improvement project and does require electrical know-how as well as roofing skills.
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