National Solar Rankings

Illinois Solar Company Rankings – 2026

Updated February 21, 2026

251Companies Evaluated
$21,280Avg. System Cost
CertasunTop-Rated Company

Top Ranked Solar Companies

85.3/ 100

Certasun

0BBB Complaints
8Years in Business
Buffalo GroveLocation

Certasun was founded with a single purpose: to bring honest, transparent solar installations to the Chicago suburbs. Based in Buffalo Grove and focused exclusively on solar, they have spent 8 years carving out a reputation as the most trusted residential installer in greater Chicagoland. What earned Certasun the top ranking in Illinois was their combination of customer satisfaction, clean compliance record, and focused expertise. In a state where the market is dominated by national brands and local contractors moonlighting as solar installers, Certasun was built from scratch to do one thing well. Their 4.8-star rating from 309 reviews reflects that focus. Certasun is NABCEP certified and takes advantage of the Illinois Shines Adjustable Block Program, which provides ongoing SREC payments for 15 years. Their sales team is particularly effective at explaining how SRECs work and how they factor into overall economics, which is critical in a state with a complex incentive structure. The company designs systems tailored to the Midwest's four-season climate, accounting for snow load, shorter winter days, and the diverse housing stock across Chicago's suburbs. Their monitoring team proactively contacts homeowners if output drops below expected levels, and multiple reviewers mention getting a call from Certasun before they noticed an issue. With a composite score of 85.3, Certasun is our top-ranked solar company in Illinois for 2026.

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Customer Reviews

Mark S.

“I'm writing this review 2.5 years after install. I was very pleased with the quoting/consulting stage of the process, as all of my questions were addressed well, and the financing stage was very...”

Arnell P.

“After researching and getting quotes from several companies I am confident we made the right choice going with Certasun. Their value on cost per KW was in line with other companies and their...”

Nilesh P.

“First and foremost, I appreciate the comprehensive and detailed information Certasun shared about the solar panel system. They patiently addressed all my questions and concerns throughout the...”

Eamon N.

“My experience with Certasun was mixed. They did a good job on the final installation. But I believe that they messed up badly on the initial site assessment. They concluded late in the day (as it was...”

Krystian W.

“I'd highly recommend Certasun in Buffalo Grove, IL! Their sales team was fantastic - informative, pressure-free, and designed the best solar panel system for my needs. They use top-of-the-line...”

Elliot R.

“I interviewed 5 different Solar Panel Installers and Certasun was by far the most professional, knowledgeable, and responsive, providing a truly comprehensive and complete experience. They answered...”

Nicholas S.

“Just had my solar panels installed by Certasun and I couldn’t be happier! They made the whole process super easy, took care of everything from the city permit, ComEd rebate, SRECs paperwork, and even...”

Nathan P.

“I signed with Certasun in March 2025 expecting that, as a nearby company, they would be efficient and familiar with my village’s codes and inspection process; instead, almost every stage took longer...”

80.2/ 100

SunPower®

0BBB Complaints
41*Years in Business
Vernon HillsLocation

SunPower is a name that carries weight in the solar industry unlike almost any other. Founded in 1985 by Stanford electrical engineering professor Richard Swanson, the company grew from a two-thousand-dollar investment and a lab efficiency record into one of the most recognized solar brands in the world. Now operating from its national footprint with a presence in Vernon Hills, Illinois, SunPower brings 41 years of solar-specific experience to the Illinois market, a tenure that dwarfs the vast majority of installers on any state ranking. The company's technical pedigree is difficult to overstate. SunPower's Maxeon cell technology, now manufactured through the spun-off Maxeon Solar Technologies division, has repeatedly set world records for solar panel efficiency, most recently achieving 24.7 percent apertured efficiency for a full-size module. For Illinois homeowners, where roof space can be limited and winter production matters, higher-efficiency panels translate directly into more kilowatt-hours per square foot of array. SunPower's NABCEP-certified installation teams in the Illinois market operate under a standardized quality framework that reflects the company's decades of process refinement. Where SunPower loses ground in our evaluation is customer satisfaction. A 4.1-star Google rating across 452 reviews is solid by general business standards but falls below the 4.5-plus range that characterizes most top-ranked local installers. This is a pattern common to large national solar companies: the operational complexity of managing installations across dozens of states inevitably creates friction points that smaller, owner-operated firms avoid. Some Illinois customers have reported longer-than-expected timelines and difficulty reaching support staff, issues that are not uncommon when local installation crews are managed through a national corporate structure. Despite those customer experience gaps, SunPower's score in our methodology benefits significantly from their equipment quality, brand longevity, financial stability, and NABCEP credentials. They offer cash and loan financing and handle projects across the greater Chicago metro and northern Illinois corridor. With a composite score of 80.2 out of 100, SunPower holds the second-ranked position among solar installers in Illinois for 2026.

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Customer Reviews

Uma Y.

“Solar system was installed July 1st week and was officially activated around 2nd week of August. It went down with in a week. Blue Raven Technician came around after 2 weeks and found a burnt wire in...”

Sam F.

“I’ve had a very poor experience with this company, which is a shame because starting off everything was going very well. To start I’ve been working on this project of getting solar for my home since...”

Jeffrey G.

“Other than the install getting rescheduled a couple times. The process was easy, the employees were all polite and respectful of my property. I would easily recommend blue raven to anyone looking to...”

William H.

“Shout out to salesman Aaron Jacobson, he was amazing. Got me a cash only deal that saved us a significant amount of money. We had a 15 panel, 6.3kW DC system. It did take two different days to...”

Mary P.

“First off this has been a very long process. Most do not take this long..village inspections and electrical issues prior to install were the main reasons. My go to person, Milos, was great. Very...”

Emmanuel M.

“My experience with blue raven has been nothing but pain and stress from the very first time I engaged with them. My project has been completed a year now. The installation and system has been running...”

Chandan V.

“From the initial consultation to installation Blue Raven Solar has been transparent and professional. The sales person was super helpful and accommodating. Helped answer all the questions promptly....”

Frank W.

“I had my solar power installed by BLUE RAVEN SOLAR. Damien Day was the consultant who helped me with my system. Damien is very knowledgeable and shares his information with you in great detail. He is...”

76.3/ 100

Freedom Roofing & Construction, Inc.

0BBB Complaints
24*Years in Business
ChampaignLocation

Freedom Roofing and Construction has been a staple of the Champaign-Urbana construction market for 24 years, operating from their office on North Neil Street in downtown Champaign. The company earned GAF Master Elite certification, a designation held by only two percent of roofing contractors nationwide, which reflects both their installation quality and their commitment to manufacturer-backed warranty coverage. Their expansion into solar installation leverages a deep understanding of Central Illinois rooftops that only decades of local contracting experience can provide. The company's 4.9-star Google rating across 311 verified reviews is exceptional by any measure, and it is particularly notable given the length of their operating history. Sustaining near-perfect customer feedback over 24 years requires more than just good workmanship; it demands consistent communication, fair pricing, and a willingness to stand behind completed projects long after the crew leaves the jobsite. In the Champaign-Urbana market, where the University of Illinois anchors a community that values technical competence, Freedom Roofing has built the kind of word-of-mouth reputation that no marketing budget can replicate. Their NABCEP certification confirms that Freedom Roofing's solar installation team meets the industry's recognized standard for photovoltaic system competency. For Central Illinois homeowners, working with a NABCEP-certified contractor who also holds elite roofing credentials provides a rare combination of assurances. The company can evaluate a roof's remaining lifespan, perform any necessary work to bring it up to standard, and then install a solar array with confidence that the underlying structure will support the system for its full 25-to-30-year productive life. Freedom Roofing offers cash and loan financing and focuses on the Champaign-Urbana area and surrounding Central Illinois communities. Their locally owned structure means that the people who sell the project are the same people who manage the installation and handle any follow-up service, a continuity of responsibility that larger or more geographically dispersed companies struggle to maintain. With a composite score of 76.3 out of 100, Freedom Roofing and Construction earns the third-ranked position among solar installers in Illinois for 2026.

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Customer Reviews

Debbie C.

“Freedom Roofing was a great company to work with. Bradley wright was here the next day that I called, he gave me his expert advice and was available every step of the way. We had our front porch roof...”

Katie H.

“Freedom Roofing was absolutely outstanding from start to finish! Adam came out to give me an estimate and I had it in my inbox within an hour—so fast and efficient. Their communication throughout the...”

Dave K.

“These guys are amazing. Had a gutter repair due to some construction we had done and they came out the same day and put it all back together. Quick, efficient and reasonable. They put a new roof...”

Eli L.

“I can't say enough good things about Freedom Roofing. We had to get a new roof due to hail damage. I got three bids from different roofers, and prices were similar, but the caring and attention to...”

Andrea H.

“*UPDATE* They tried reaching me by ringing my doorbell to gain access to the area but as I previously stated I wasn’t home BUT at least an attempt was made! Original Review A day after the company...”

Keith T.

“Nick and the Freedom Roofing Team were amazing. Very responsive and communicative. They were very helpful in understanding my needs, getting a technician out, and fixing my issue. Would 100% use...”

Adam N.

“The team at Freedom Roofing were able to quickly schedule an appointment and complete the repair on our roof fascia. Would highly recommend reaching out to them if you need roof work done!”

Ryan W.

“Freedom Roofing provided our home with great service when we recently had a need. They came quickly and resolved our issue in no time. Jose was amazing!”

All Solar Companies in Illinois

Showing 20 of 155 companies

Profile
Solar ShieldEast Peoria5.0View
Sharper iron Developers5.0View
Kaizan5.0View
Perfect Exteriors Inc.Naperville5.0View
SOLAR PANTHERPeoria Heights5.0View
Eco Energy ServicesHomer Glen5.0View
PB Solar Panel InstallerHighland Park5.0View
Thrive Solar5.0View
Ferrer ElectricBeach Park5.0View
SLR Solar Panel InstallerSkokie5.0View
Triumph SolarIL 604875.0View
E. Scott Ostrowski: Awesome Options for Awesome People5.0View
Electrician Pros Aurora5.0View
Solar & Energy Experts LLC5.0View
Sangamon SolarChampaign5.0View
SolarwerksChicago5.0View
Limitless Solar5.0View
Pro Circuit Electric LLCPeoria5.0View
Capital City Roofing & SolarRochester5.0View
New Prairie SolarUrbana5.0View

Illinois Solar Resources

Energy Laws & Incentives

Illinois Shines (Adjustable Block Program) SRECs|Property tax exemption for solar value|Net metering at retail rate|Illinois Solar for All (low-income)|REC payments for 15 years

  • Illinois Net Metering: Systems installed post-2025

    This fact sheet explains the net metering benefit for Illinoisans who have installed solar panels AFTER Jan. 1, 2025. Download a free, printable PDF version ...

  • Net Metering Changes in Illinois

    3. WHEN WILL NET METERING CHANGES TAKE PLACE? Under Illinois law, customers beginning net metering service on or after January 1, 2025, will receive net ...

  • ARES Net Metering Requirements

    Illinois Alternate Retail Energy Suppliers (ARES) are required by law to offer net metering to their customers. Specifically Illinois State Law (220 ILCS ...

  • Illinois Net Metering

    Illinois's net metering program allows customers to receive credit on their electric bill for any excess power generated from their renewable energy system.

  • IPA Power Hour 7 — Upcoming Illinois Net Metering Changes

    Creates safe harbor for all NEM customers registered before threshold date. Establishes clearer rules for community solar bill crediting. Page ...

Solar News

Useful Links & Blogs

*Companies displaying 15 or more years in business are typically established electrical, roofing, or general contracting firms that expanded into solar installation in more recent years. The years shown may reflect the age of the parent organization or a strategic partner, not necessarily the solar division itself. This distinction is worth considering when comparing to dedicated solar installers, as purpose-built solar companies may offer more specialized expertise despite a shorter operating history.