Is Solar a Scam? The Truth All Chicago Homeowners Should Know

Marketing Sige Solar
May 29
3 min read

Published on May 29, 2025

By Cole Woodward

Let’s be honest, if you’ve ever typed “is solar a scam?” into Google, you’re not alone.

With all the ads, cold calls, and too-good-to-be-true offers out there, it’s hard to know who to trust. It feels like everyone is trying to sell you something, and nobody’s telling the whole story. That’s frustrating. And honestly? You’re right to be skeptical.

But here’s the good news: solar isn’t a scam especially when it’s done correctly. And in Illinois, when you know what to look for, it can actually be one of the smartest moves a homeowner can make.

Let’s break it all down with just the facts.

Why Do People Think Solar Is a Scam?

There are a lot of reasons why homeowners get turned off by solar. And most of them are completely valid:

Aggressive telemarketing tactics
Over hyped “free solar” deals
National companies that disappear after solar install
Confusing or hidden pricing

If that’s what you’ve seen, of course you’re skeptical. The solar industry hasn’t always done the best job of earning trust. But that doesn’t mean solar itself is a scam, this just means you need to know who you’re dealing with.

The Truth About Solar in Illinois

Here’s what solar actually looks like for most homeowners in Illinois:

30% Federal Tax Credit — The ITC gives you a 30% reduction on your annual taxes
Illinois Shines Program — get paid just for generating clean energy
Net Metering — get credited for the extra energy your system sends back to the grid
Utility Rebates — Ameren & ComEd offer Distributed Generation rebates for installing solar panels with smart inverters.

All of those add up to real value. In fact, many of our customers save $8,500 or more in just their first year through a combination of tax credits and incentives.

These are the incentives that actually matter. Incentives that will save you money

Check out our blog regarding The Top 5 Solar Incentives in the state of Illinois

Chicago Homeowners: You’re in a Great Spot

Cloudy Skies, Bright Savings: Why Solar Still Works in Chicago. no scam

Illinois has some of the best solar incentives in the country, and the high utility rates make solar even more valuable.

You’ve probably heard people say things like:

“Solar needs constant sun to work”Not true. Even in cloudy Chicago, solar panels still generate plenty of electricity. Germany generates over 12% of its electricity from solar, despite having less sunshine than Chicago.

“Does solar even work in the winter?” Yes, cold weather can actually help panels work more efficiently.

Solar works in Illinois, and with the local rebates available now, it can work better than ever.

How to Avoid a Real Solar Scam

Since we have shown you the facts, this is how you can protect yourself”

Red Flags 🚩

Companies asking for money upfront without a detailed plan
Claims of “free solar” without any fine print
Out-of-state installers who can’t provide local references

Green Flags ✅

Local companies with real customer reviews
Transparent pricing and clear savings estimates
No-pressure consultations (just facts, not sales scripts)

If a company won’t answer your questions or tries to push you into something fast , just walk away.

The Bottom Line: Solar Isn’t a Scam, But It’s Not Magic Either

Solar is a financial tool. It’s not going to eliminate your energy bill overnight, but over time, it can save you serious money, increase your home’s value, and reduce your reliance on utility rate hikes.

For most Chicago homeowners, solar pays for itself in about 6 to 9 years. This is thanks to the stacked incentives and high local energy rates. After that, you're essentially producing free electricity for the next 15+ years.

And in Illinois, with the right incentives and the right partner, it’s working for thousands of homeowners just like you.