Business Details
Your Trusted Solar Energy Partner in Chicago
Certasun is a leading solar installation company serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. With over 2500 completed solar projects, we specialize in residential solar panels, home battery storage, and EV charger installations. Our team handles every step in-housefrom consultation to installationensuring accountability and quality without subcontractors. We guarantee system performance and incentives, offering flexible financing options to suit various budgets.Our commitment to professional, aesthetically pleasing installations has earned us a 4.9/5.0 Google rating with 250+ reviews. Founded in 2018, our team combines technical expertise with transparent communication to deliver reliable clean energy solutions tailored to homeowners' needs.
Services
Residential Solar
EV Charger Installation
Home Battery Storage
Solar Repair Services
Heat Pump Water Heater
Solar Leases
Solar Loans
Home Electrification
Illinois Solar Incentives
Wisconsin Solar Incentives
Highlights and features
- We handle every project step in-house with full accountability
- We guarantee system energy production and incentive delivery
- Our installations feature hidden conduit and seamless designs
- Flexible financing options including zero out-of-pocket leases
- 2500+ completed solar projects with 4.9/5.0 average customer rating
What people say
Top-rated service
Beautiful installations
Excellent communication
Expert team
Peace of mind
Services
Residential Solar
Certasun provides customized rooftop solar installations designed to reduce electricity bills while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Our systems use premium components from REC, Maxeon, and Enphase, ensuring long-term reliability. The installation process includes 3D modeling, permitting assistance, and complete system monitoring for optimal performance.
EV Charger Installation
We install 240-volt residential EV charging stations compatible with all electric vehicle models. Our certified electricians handle full system design, permitting, and code-compliant installation. Available options include Tesla Wall Connectors, Wallbox Pulsar Plus units, and 240V outlet installations for customer-supplied chargers.
Home Battery Storage
Certasun offers Tesla Powerwall 3 and FranklinWH battery systems for uninterrupted solar power during outages. These storage solutions integrate seamlessly with new or existing solar arrays, enabling energy independence and grid resilience. Systems qualify for ComEd storage rebates up to $16,000 based on capacity.
Solar Repair Services
We provide comprehensive repair services for solar systems from Enphase, SolarEdge, and SunPower across Illinois and Wisconsin. Our technicians handle inverter replacements, panel repairs, monitoring issues, and warranty claims. Emergency service available for critical system failures affecting energy production.
Heat Pump Water Heater
Certasun installs energy-efficient heat pump water heaters that reduce electricity consumption by up to 75% compared to conventional models. Our installations include necessary electrical upgrades and qualify for federal tax credits covering 30% of equipment and installation costs, up to $2,600.
People
Josh Lutton
Founder & President
Josh Lutton established Certasun to transform solar adoption through integrity and technical excellence. With over 15 years in renewable energy, he leads strategic growth while maintaining strict quality standards across all operations.
Iain Drummond
VP, Operations
Iain Drummond oversees daily operations, ensuring seamless project execution from consultation to completion. His 12-year background in solar engineering supports Certasun's commitment to precision installations and customer satisfaction.
Marni Berliner
Director of Sales
Marni Berliner leads the sales team with a focus on transparent customer education. Her decade of solar consulting experience helps homeowners make informed decisions about clean energy investments.
Amy Downey
Director of Operations
Amy Downey manages project logistics and client communications. With 8 years in solar operations, she ensures timely permit approvals and coordinates multi-disciplinary teams for efficient installations.
Mike Hines
VP of Finance & Administration
Mike Hines oversees financial strategy and administrative systems. His expertise in renewable energy financing structures enables Certasun to offer competitive payment options while maintaining business sustainability.
Questions
What solar incentives are available in Illinois?
Illinois offers state solar rebates through Illinois Shines, federal tax credits covering 26-30% of system costs, and ComEd storage incentives up to $16,000 for battery installations.
How long does solar installation take?
Most Illinois projects take 90 days from contract signing to installation, with actual system installation typically completed in 1-2 days depending on system complexity.
Do solar panels work in winter?
Yes, solar panels generate electricity year-round in Chicago. While production decreases in winter months, net metering ensures credits from summer production offset seasonal variations.
Can I add storage to existing solar?
Yes, Certasun installs battery systems compatible with both new and existing solar arrays. Most systems can integrate Tesla Powerwall or FranklinWH batteries for backup power capabilities.
What financing options exist for solar?
Certasun offers cash purchases, solar loans with $0 down payment options, and lease agreements that include production guarantees and maintenance coverage.
How do solar panels affect home value?
Studies show solar installations increase home values by approximately $15,000 per 5kW system size while reducing utility costs, making properties more attractive to potential buyers.
Reviews (7)
Erik Martinez
Feb 02, 2022
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After 5 different quotes not only was certasun the most reasonable but came with the best equipment. The entire process was smooth and I was kept in the loop on entire install. Amazingly easy company to deal with
Derek England
Jan 05, 2022
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Certasun was great to work with for our solar project. Excellent communication from initial discussion to the end of the process, with knowledgeable representatives who were always able to answer my questions. High quality products and in-house installation with great warranties for a very competitive price relative to other local vendors we got quotes from. Would strongly recommend meeting with this company if you are considering getting residential solar panels.
Dan
Jan 05, 2022
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Professional and quick. The entire process took a few months, mostly due to dealing with my HOA. All my questions and concerns were addressed by the sales and installation team. CertaSun doesnt use sub contractors either.
Steve Thompson
Nov 26, 2021
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Certasun proved to be a believable and reliable installer and importantly Certasun is certified as an Illinois Shines installer. They are a Sun Power Elite dealer. After a thorough series of conversations with Bill in sales during which he pointed out pitfalls of a contractor I had already selected and my decision to cancel that contract, I appreciated all the more that selection of the "best" of the four solar contractors I was working with was no small task. Thanks to Bill's patience I decided to move forward with Certasun even as we entered a summer of uncertainty regarding Illinois legislative
Spencer Hockeborn
Nov 21, 2021
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Certasun made the process of getting solar panels incredibly easy. They did so much of the leg work - and only involved us when they really needed to. The installation took a couple of days, and so far, about a month later, everything has been working great. The consultations were very informative, and they helped us understand the tax credits we would be getting. After install - we got an app that allows us to monitor our electricity usage and solar power generated, which is really cool to see.
Aaron Wielenberg
Nov 19, 2021
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Very easy experience from start to finish with CertaSun. The online sales consultation was efficient and answered all of my questions. Subsequent site visits were convenient and timely. Installation took one day and went off without a hitch. Communication from the main office has been consistently clear and timely. My panels were installed a couple of weeks ago with inspection and activation about a week later. Still waiting on full connectivity for net metering, but, you know... ComEd. Obviously I've only had a very short experience with the array itself, but the process of getting it installed
Jared Hintzsche
Nov 11, 2021
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Purchasing a solar panel system through Certasun was a great experience. Having solar panels installed on your home is far from a quick process, but every person I worked with at Certasun throughout the process was 1st class. From the initial sales consultation all the way through the final inspection Certasun was a pleasure to work with and I would recommend them in a heartbeat to anyone looking to start the solar panel journey.
