Best Solar Companies in Rockford, IL (2025 Top Solar Installers)

With so many solar companies to choose from, we know how daunting it can be to find an installer you can trust with your home’s solar system. To help you make the right decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to the best solar companies in Rockford, IL, as rated by our SolarReviews experts and Rockford residents who’ve already gone solar.

We look for solar companies with owners who understand that when they sell you a solar system, you expect them to be there for the next 25 years to fix any issues that may arise. Here are the top companies we recommend for solar in Rockford:

Iconic Energy

4.04

(7)

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Company Description

Iconic Energy is committed to help you benefit from solar energy. With offices in Rockford, IL and Beaver Dam, WI we are a LOCAL, DEDICATED SOLAR COMPANY. Solar is what we do.Now is the time to go solar. With current incentives & tax credits your solar inst...

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SolarReviews Expert Rating Score:

Unrated

Services offered

Solar - Installation

Latest Good Review

Deb Bloomingdale | 06-22-2020

Going solar

We had a bumpy start. There was miscommunication with our rep. But Tighe stepped in and answered all our questions. Hopefully the hard times are behind us now.

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Latest Bad Review

Middle | 10-19-2020

Poorly managed

Very poor communication, poor workmanship, no one shows when they say they will. Extremely disappointed in their every aspect of this experience, except the sales portion. After they made the sale, they fell down badly.

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Illinois Solar Power

4.25

(5)

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Company Description

We are a group of professionals who have devoted our lives and careers to helping people benefit both environmentally and financially from converting to renewable energy on their home or business. We LOVE what we do and we are passionate about finding the bes...

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SolarReviews Expert Rating Score:

Unrated

Services offered

Solar - Installation

Latest Good Review

americanuck | 11-01-2020

Awesome sales and support

Jig Patel answered my inquire for answers to my home solar concerns. After about half a day of texting back and forth, I decided to meet him and get it done. As he is an independent contractor, he was able to give me the best deal amongst several competing companies. We decided to use SunRun to manage my solar and Bright Planet to install the hardware. Everything Jig promised turned out to be true. Bright Planet kept me informed every step of the way on the installation and SunRun sends out an email periodically to keep me up to date. The installation began within 3 weeks of signing the contract. Due to the weather, it was completed on 2 separate days, but the crews that came out were very friendly and knowledgeable. The installation is done very professionally and my city inspector only had good things to say about it. After signing the contract, I didn't have to do a thing. It was all taken care of by Jig, SunRun and Bright Planet. I'm more than pleased with my experience adding solar to my home.

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Headline Solar

2.77

(12)

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Company Description

Net metering ensures that you benefit from the full value of your solar panels and is a great way to balance out your electricity production and consumption, which do not always happen at the same time. Commonwealth Edison offers the top utility net metering p...

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SolarReviews Expert Rating Score:

Elite

Rating breakdown

Positives:

7 / 10

Time in business

10 / 10

Litigation and background

10 / 10

Verification of licenses and insurance

9 / 10

Profitability of installer

3 / 5

Transparency of pricing and sales process

5 / 5

Company size and location

6 / 10

Quality of brands sold

5 / 5

Vertical integration

5 / 5

Sustainable pricing of systems

3 / 5

Employee satisfaction and safety record

5 / 5

Reliability of consumer reviews

Negatives:

2 / 5

Consumer reviews performance

2 / 5

Transparency about reputation

5 / 10

Competitiveness of loan options

Learn more about how we rate solar installers

Services offered

Solar - Installation
Solar - Installation

Latest Good Review

Gse1sw | 03-13-2021

Get what you pay for

While what I write will not directly equate to your situation there will certainly be many parallels. Let’s face it there are as many different scenarios as there are households. (Some statements in this review only pertain to homeowners in Illinois at this time) I’ve been thoroughly investigating numerous different options of alternative energy for about a decade now. I’ve held off making the shift due to many reasons. Primarily the cost to return ratio. Most systems of the past might not have ever made an actual return before their probable end of useful life. While a breakeven isn’t awful; didn’t you intend to get ahead with that project? Over the last few months, I have started taking a much deeper dive into researching local Solar power installation companies. The technology has truly come of age. I’ve specifically focused on companies that supply Generac brand equipment such as the backup power unit. I was sold on the PWRCell after I read the spec sheet. Being an electrician myself I fully recognized the value of what Generac has built. I have done a lot of research on Generac and believe they have the best equipment for the cost. After talking to quite a few different people at many different companies I have concluded that Headline Solar is the way to go. https://www.headlinesolar.com/ The level of honesty and integrity is obvious from the first conversation with them. They do not do any high-pressure sales tactics and are very happy to prove that the equipment they are specifying is the best that can be bought. My Sales rep is Sarah Cooley. She is amazing! I know I must have driven her nearly crazy with all the questions I had, but she was always ultra-responsive and never sounded put off with my inquiries. She sent me all the spec sheets right away and never hesitated to schedule a call if I had questions. In everything I do I try to learn as much as I can in the process. I recommend companies that try to teach their customers over the ones that try to coerce a quick deal regardless of whether the customer truly knows what they are buying or not. Headline Solar does truly care that their customers get what they are paying for. Sarah taught me what SREC meant and what it meant to me. She saved me from going with a non-SREC certified company which equates to many thousand dollars of savings I could have lost had I not known any better. Even more so than that she taught me what it means to do business with a company that doesn’t sub out any labor. There is something to be said for a company that provides their own employees for the entirety of a project. This is my first review of Headline solar, but thus far I am highly impressed. I will certainly provide another review in a few months once my system is up and going and then another at least a year down the road on how it is all going. God willing perhaps I will send another review in 25 years on how the system is doing at the end of the warranty of the REC panels.

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Latest Bad Review

Mykola | Hoffman Estates, IL | 05-01-2023

Solar panels

Do not work with them ! They are scammers, don't waste your time with them. I signed contract with them at Jen 2023 , and its already May and nothing installed, I tried to call them more than 20 times on a different phone number, I sent them emails , they just ignore me! The worst experience ever! Just imagine right now if they will install you a panels and something will go wrong with it like get broken and not working and they will ignore you and not fix it but you will have to pay for it and plus for electrical bill to comed ! Please stay away from that company

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Best solar installers in Rockford, IL

Company	SolarReviews expert rating	Consumer rating	City	Quote
Illinois Solar Power	Unrated	4.25(5)	Elgin	Get Quote
Iconic Energy	Unrated	4.04(7)	Rockford	Get Quote
Stateline Solar	Excellent	4.03(7)	Lena	Get Quote
Phoenix Exteriors	Unrated	3.75(1)	Schaumburg	Get Quote
Sunheat Solar Inc.	Unrated	3.75(3)	Batavia	Get Quote
93Energy LLC	Good	3.75(1)	Skokie	Get Quote
Semper Solr	Unrated	3.75(2)	Rolling Meadows	Get Quote

Best solar companies for home battery installations in Rockford

Batteries have become increasingly popular because they take an intermittent energy source like solar and turn it into a reliable and consistent supply of electricity. We recommend getting a solar battery quote if you want a backup power source or if your utility company doesn’t have a net metering program that buys excess solar energy at the full price of power, as you could save a little extra on your electric bill.

Here are some Rockford companies that install panels and solar battery storage systems:

Company	SolarReviews expert rating	Consumer rating	City	Quote
Independence Renewable Energy	Unrated	3.75(12)	Sandwich	Get Quote
Greenlink Energy Solutions, Inc.	Average	3.43(5)	Rockford	Get Quote
Power Home Remodeling	Elite	3.42(1)	-	Get Quote
Hummingbird Electric	Unrated	3.08(1)	Palatine	Get Quote
Nelnet Renewable Energy (formerly GRNE Solar)	Excellent	2.91(9)	Palatine	Get Quote

How to find the best solar panel company near you

Picking a solar company is the most important decision you make when going solar. You need to trust them to drill holes in your roof, help you navigate financing and incentives and provide you with 25+ years of customer service.

Check out this video where our founder, who also founded a successful solar installation company, explains what to look for when choosing the best solar company near you.

Top things to consider when choosing a solar company in Rockford:

Years in business

One of the first things to look at when finding a company is how long they have been in business. We suggest looking for companies that have been around for at least five years, as the longer it has been in business, the more likely it is you’ll have a positive installation experience.

Companies with five or more years of experience will probably have established after-sales service and warranty support. It signals that they aren’t a company in it to make a quick buck; they’re in it for the long haul.

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, which is why you should also keep a few other factors in mind.

Licenses, insurance, and certifications

Solar companies that are licensed, insured and hold certifications take their business seriously. Look for companies that have NABCEP Certified professionals or certified electricians on staff and are properly insured, so their workers, and you, are protected.

Financing options

Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on a solar panel installation. So, you’ll want to find a company with solar financing options that work for you. Ask for quotes for various types of financing plans to see which one will work best for your budget. Solar loans are often your next best choice if you can’t pay in cash. But, if you don’t pay federal income taxes or can’t qualify for a loan, finding a company that offers solar leases or power purchase agreements might be the right move.

Services and products offered

Don’t choose a company that can’t complete the job that you want to be done. If you need an energy storage system, get quotes from companies that install batteries! Maybe you want a particular brand of panels or an electric vehicle charger installation. Ask the company if they provide those services or carry those brands so you don’t have to settle for less.

Customer review scores

Customer ratings give valuable insight into how a solar company actually operates and treats its customers. Read SolarReviews, Google and Yelp reviews to understand the company’s installation process, sales practices and overall customer service. But remember that some companies incentivize customers to leave positive reviews, so make sure you read reviews with some scrutiny.

Warranty

Any reputable solar installation company will offer a workmanship or labor warranty that covers any damages that may occur during the installation process. We recommend using an installer with at least a ten-year labor warranty.

Some installation companies, like SunPower, include a system performance guarantee. This promises you’ll get a certain amount of electricity from your solar panels and is an excellent added protection.

Rockford incentives and rebates

Solar incentives and rebates can cut the cost of installing solar in Rockford by thousands of dollars. The most significant incentive is the 30% federal solar tax credit, available to any taxpayer in the country when they purchase solar panels or battery storage.

Some cities, counties, states and utility companies offer additional solar incentives, saving homeowners even more money. Here are the solar incentives available in Rockford:

Incentive	Eligibility	Type
Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit	Federal	Personal Tax Credit
Special Assessment for Solar Energy Systems	State	Property Tax Incentive
Net Metering	State	Net Metering

How much can you save with solar incentives?

What to look for in solar quotes in Rockford

Once you’ve found a few companies you like, you can start getting solar quotes. You can get a better deal when you get quotes from multiple solar installers; we suggest getting at least three quotes. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for comparing quotes and what questions you should ask installers.

System size and energy production

All solar quotes should include the size of the system and how much energy it is projected to produce. Most of the quotes you get will probably be in the same ballpark. But, if one is drastically larger or smaller than the others — ask about it! Maybe one installer included shading from a tree, while another based its estimates on having that tree removed.

If you choose reliable installers, you can trust that these estimates will be as accurate as possible. But you can always double-check using the SolarReviews solar calculator and enter the information received in your quotes.

Pricing

You should know as much as possible about how much the solar panels cost. Make sure you know both the total cost of the system and the price per watt of solar installed. The cost per watt makes it easier to compare prices between quotes and gives you a better idea of how fairly the system is priced. The average price of solar is about $2.06 to $3.08 per watt in Rockford, so anything in that range is a fair price.

Some prices may be too good to be true. If your installer quotes you way below the average price in your area, proceed with caution. Installers must charge fair prices to remain in business and provide you with 25 years of support. If their prices are low, they might not be around when you need them down the road.

Financing

Financing is one of the most important things to look for in your solar quote. There are a few different things to keep an eye out for, depending on what type of solar financing you’re using.

If you’re looking to use a solar loan, you should ask the company for both a cash quote and the financed quote. Solar loans include something called dealer fees, which can sometimes add 20% or more to the total cost of your system in exchange for a lower interest rate. It’s worth comparing what dealer fees and interest rates you’re quoted from different companies to get the best deal possible.

If you want a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you’ll want to look for an escalator clause in the contract. The escalator clause outlines how much your payments will go up every year. Ideally, this should be lower than the rate at which electric prices increase in your area, typically about 3% annually. If the escalator rate is higher than this, you could end up paying more than if you hadn’t gone solar at all!

Payback period

Some quotes may include when you’ll break even, meaning when your panels have saved as much as you spent on them.

If it’s not explicitly listed on the quote, you can compare any savings estimates they provide to the system’s total price and get a rough estimate of when your panels will pay themselves off. The shorter the payback period, the better.

Equipment

Good quality solar installers will carry good quality equipment. So if you pick an installer you trust, you can expect reliable products. But, it can’t hurt to research and ask the installer questions about what would be going on your roof.

Most solar panels installed today are about 400 watts in size and have efficiency ratings above 19%. Higher wattage and efficiency panels can produce slightly more electricity but may add a price premium. You’ll want to make sure the solar panels have the industry standard 25-year product and performance warranties.

Frequently asked questions about solar in Rockford

How much do solar panels cost in Rockford?

A 6 kW solar system will cost about $15,420 in Rockford before incentives. After the 30% federal solar tax credit, this drops to $10,794, or about $1.8 per watt. The total cost of a solar system will vary depending on the company you choose, the size of the system, the equipment installed, and how you finance it.

How much can solar panels save in Rockford?

Most solar companies will try installing enough solar panels to cover all your monthly electricity costs. But your savings will depend on how your utility bills solar customers, how many panels you can fit on your roof and how much energy you use. The easiest way to find out how much your specific home can save with solar is by using our solar savings calculator.

Do I need a solar battery in Rockford?

No, you don’t need to install a solar battery in Rockford. Solar panels can operate and lower your electricity bill even without a battery. However, a solar battery might be a worthwhile investment in some cases. A battery can provide backup power and priceless peace of mind in places with prolonged grid blackouts or extreme weather events. If your utility doesn’t have full retail net metering or uses time-of-use rates, a battery can also save you more money on your electricity bill. Ask your solar company about the benefits of having a solar battery in Rockford and if the upfront cost is worth the investment.

How can you pay for solar panels in Rockford?

Solar panels can be financed in multiple ways. Paying in cash will get you the best price and provide the best long-term electric bill savings. If you don’t have the upfront cash, you can take out a personal loan, home equity line of credit or use a solar loan offered by your solar company. Because you have to pay interest and additional fees, solar panels purchased with loans have lower lifetime savings but are still a worthwhile investment. Some large companies offer solar leases or power purchase agreements for zero upfront costs. However, you do not own the solar panels when you enter a lease or PPA, so you can’t take direct advantage of incentives like the federal tax credit. Third-party-owned systems still lower your electricity bill, but your total solar savings will be lower because you must pay the solar company monthly.

What are the best solar companies for a solar lease in Rockford?

We don’t usually recommend leasing your solar panels because it can make it difficult to sell your home and result in lower lifetime solar savings. But leasing might be best if you don’t have the upfront cash for an installation, can't use the federal solar tax credit or don’t qualify for loan options. Of the big leasing companies, our pick is SunPower, as it has the best review scores among large national leasing companies. Plus, SunPower guarantees the energy output from the system you lease, which is an additional protection that other companies don’t always provide. Sunrun is another big name you’ll likely come across when researching solar leases in Rockford. Sunrun doesn’t have a great reputation among customers or solar industry pros, so we don’t recommend doing business with this company.

What are the best solar companies for zero-down solar loans in Rockford?

Solar loans are popular among homeowners because you don’t have to have the money for the installation upfront, but you get better lifetime savings than with a leased system. You also get to directly use the incentives (tax credits, rebates, etc.) available in Rockford, rather than a leasing company retaining them. Most importantly, with a loan, you don’t have a lien over your property as you do with a lease. You can choose to go solar with a personal loan, but many installers offer solar-specific loans through special providers such as Mosaic, Sunlight Financial, Goodleap or Enfin. Recent interest rate hikes have bumped solar loan APRs above 5.99%, but we have seen some providers offer as low as 30-year, 3.99% loans. Getting quotes from different installers is essential to getting the best rates possible in Rockford.

How SolarReviews rates installers

SolarReviews developed our Expert Rating criteria to make it easier for homeowners to find solar companies they can trust. It’s not just about the consumer reviews or the products they sell - it’s about how they treat their employees, how they support their customers, and if they run an honest business.

We used our team’s extensive knowledge of the solar industry to create a data-based scoring system for rating solar companies that encompasses all of the most important things to consider when picking the best solar company, including:

Background checks
Brand quality
License and insurance
Vertical integration
Profitability
Transparency
Consumer reviews
Loan options
Local service
Responsible pricing

Learn more about the SolarReviews Expert Rating system.

Written byAndrew SendySolar Industry Expert

Andy is arguably the most qualified rooftop solar expert in America. He is in a unique position, having founded a large solar company but now being independent of any particular company. He has appeared on CNBC, has been referenced in public hearings concerning the rooftop solar industry ( such as the recent CPUC NEM 3 decision) and has been referenced by many major publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week and many others.