- Who we are
About Solar Authority Illinois: Independent Energy Advisors, Not Installers
We built Solar Authority Illinois because homeowners were making major financial decisions with incomplete information. That’s still why we do what we do – every single day.
850+
Illinois homes reviewed
7 yrs
Serving Illinois
4.9★
satisfaction rating
100%
Illinois-focused
- Our mission
We exist to give Illinois homeowners the truth about solar
Solar Authority Illinois was founded on a simple belief: homeowners deserve accurate, unbiased information before making one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.
When we started, too many homeowners were signing contracts without fully understanding their actual savings potential, how Illinois Shines worked, or whether solar even made sense for their specific home. We built this company to change that.
Today, our mission is the same as it was on day one – give every Illinois homeowner the information they need to make a confident, informed decision about solar energy.
Where it started Solar Authority Illinois was founded after watching too many homeowners get locked into solar contracts they didn’t fully understand. We built the company we wished existed — one that puts homeowner education before sales.
- Our story
Why we started -
and where we are today
Solar Authority Illinois didn’t start as a business plan. It started as a frustration – and a commitment to do better for Illinois homeowners.
2017 - The Problem
Homeowners were being left in the dark - Illinois was entering a solar boom, but homeowners were going from knowing nothing to signing 25-year contracts in a single sales call. Most didn't understand Illinois Shines, net metering, or what their real payback period looked like. The information gap was real — and costly.
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2018 — The Start
Solar Authority Illinois is founded - We launched with one goal: provide free, independent energy reviews for Illinois homeowners. No installer affiliation. No sales quota. Just honest guidance from advisors who understood Illinois solar programs inside and out.
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2019–2021 — Building Expertise
Illinois Shines certification & deep program knowledge - As Illinois Shines (SREC-II) launched and evolved, our team became among the most knowledgeable independent advisors on the program in the state. We helped hundreds of homeowners understand and access incentives they didn't know existed.
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2022–2023 — Battery Expansion
Adding battery storage guidance to our reviews - As home battery storage became more accessible and Illinois utility outages increased, we expanded our energy reviews to include comprehensive battery backup analysis — including Illinois-specific incentives and payback calculations.
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2024–2026 — Statewide Growth
We expanded our energy reviews statewide, growing our network of vetted Illinois installers and deepening our coverage of Ameren and ComEd territories alike. Today we help homeowners compare every available option - lease, PPA, loan, cash purchase, and battery - so they can choose what's right for their home, not what's easiest to sell.
- Why homeowners trust our team
Built around Illinois solar expertise - not one person
Solar Authority Illinois is a team of energy advisors, not a single salesperson. Every homeowner gets the same depth of Illinois-specific knowledge, regardless of who you speak with.
Years of IL Solar Experience
We’ve guided Illinois homeowners through solar decisions since 2018 — before most national companies knew what Illinois Shines was. We’ve lived every program change, rate case, and incentive update in real time.
Illinois Shines & SREC Expertise
Illinois Shines is one of the most complex — and most valuable — state solar programs in the Midwest. Our team tracks every program year update, SREC block price change, and enrollment deadline so your guidance is always current.
Ameren & ComEd Experience
We know exactly how Ameren and ComEd rate structures, net metering policies, and SREC slot availability differ — and how those differences affect your savings projections. Generic solar advice misses these critical details.
Battery Storage Expertise
Home battery storage is becoming a major part of the Illinois solar conversation. Our team understands Illinois utility rebates, current battery incentive programs, and – critically – when battery storage actually pencils out versus when it doesn’t.
Homeowner-First Approach
Our advisors have no sales quota and receive no commission from installer referrals. If solar doesn’t make sense for your home, we say so — clearly and early. That philosophy has built more trust than any sales pitch ever could.
Vetted Illinois Installer Network
When homeowners are ready to proceed, we connect them with a curated network of licensed, background-checked, Illinois Shines approved installers — not whoever pays us a referral fee. Your installer match is based on fit, not commission.
- Our philosophy
Homeowner first — every single time
This isn’t a tagline. It’s how every decision at Solar Authority Illinois gets made – from how we train our advisors to how we measure our own success.
We say no when it's right
If solar doesn't make financial sense for a homeowner's situation, our advisors say so — clearly and honestly. A review that saves someone from a bad decision is a success, even if no sale follows.
Your information stays yours
We never sell, share, or pass along homeowner contact information to installers without explicit permission. When you contact us, you're talking to our team — no one else.
Access to vetted installers
For homeowners who decide to proceed, we provide access to a curated network of licensed, background-checked Illinois installers. We don't favor any installer — we match homeowners to the best fit for their project.
Your timeline, not ours
We never create artificial urgency. Illinois solar incentives change over time, but we give homeowners accurate timelines and let them decide when and whether to move forward.
- Our promise to every Illinois homeowner: You will leave your energy review knowing more than when you started — with a written report, honest numbers, and zero pressure to do anything next. That's the Solar Authority Illinois guarantee.
- Illinois expertise
Why Illinois-specific knowledge matters
Illinois has a unique solar landscape. Generic solar advice from national companies often misses the programs and nuances that matter most to Illinois homeowners.
Illinois Shines (SREC-II)
One of the most valuable state solar incentives in the Midwest — but complex, with enrollment slots that fill up and values that change. We track every update so our guidance is always current.
Ameren & ComEd Rate Structures
Illinois has two major utility territories with different rate structures, net metering policies, and billing cycles. We know both inside out — and how each affects your solar savings calculation.
Net Metering Rules
Illinois net metering law requires both Ameren and ComEd to credit homeowners for excess solar generation. Understanding the exact credit rates and billing mechanics is critical to accurate savings projections.
Illinois Battery Incentives
Battery storage incentives in Illinois span federal, state, and utility-level programs — and eligibility varies by territory and configuration. We stay current on every available incentive.
7
Years IL expertise
2
Utility territories
100+
IL cities served
Illinois-only focus means deeper knowledge, more accurate guidance, and better outcomes for homeowners than any national solar company can provide. We don’t cover 50 states — we cover Illinois, and we cover it well.
- How we work
What to expect when you work with us
Simple, transparent, and entirely focused on giving you what you need to make a confident decision.
Free Energy Review
A 30-minute call or virtual session with a trained Illinois energy advisor. We review your electricity usage, utility provider, and home details to understand your baseline.
- Free · No obligation
Incentive Analysis
We compare every option available for your specific home - lease, PPA, loan, cash purchase, and battery backup - alongside Illinois Shines, net metering credits, and utility rebates where relevant.
- Home-specific numbers
Written Solar Report
You receive a clear, written Solar Report with your estimated savings, payback period, and a straightforward recommendation — including if we think solar isn't right for you.
- Delivered in writing
- After your report, the next step is entirely yours to decide. If you want to explore installer quotes, we can connect you with vetted Illinois installers. If you need more time or more information, we're here for follow-up questions — with no pressure, ever.
- Related Resources
Keep Exploring
Illinois Solar Guide
The complete Illinois solar guide — incentives, savings, programs, and how to get started.
Ameren Solar
Solar guide for Ameren customers in central and southern Illinois.
ComEd Solar
Solar guide for ComEd customers in northern Illinois and the Chicago metro area.
Contact Us
Get in touch with our Illinois energy advisors for questions or to schedule your free review.
Ready to see your actual numbers?
Free Illinois Solar Report – personalized to your home, your utility, and your situation.
- Local solar guidance
Illinois communities we serve
Each city page covers local utility rates, available incentives, savings examples for that area, and city-specific FAQs.
