3 Best Solar Companies in Virginia (2024 Guide)
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Virginia’s sunny conditions make it a great place to use solar energy. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), it’s one of the top 10 states for solar energy and has invested $4.8 million in solar power as of December 2022. The Colonial Trail West solar farm in Surry County is so large it could power more than 24,000 homes alone.
We researched more than 30 solar providers available in Virginia, evaluating their product selection, services, and other important factors to homeowners. See which of the best solar panel installers we recommend below.
Compare Solar Companies Across VA
*All BBB ratings are current as of March 2024.
Virginia’s Top Solar Energy Companies
- Blue Raven Solar: Most Reputable
- Freedom Solar Power: Best Off-Grid Installer
- Tesla: Best Solar Tech
Our Top Picks for Solar Panels in Virginia
Freedom Solar Power
Note: In July 2024, SunPower notified dealers it would be halting all new shipments and project installations. The company also noted it would “no longer be supporting new Leases and PPA sales nor new project installations of these financing options.
What Are the Available Solar Incentives in Virginia?
Homeowners can take advantage of several solar incentives offered in Virginia to save money. The first is Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SRECs). Virginia solar owners earn one SREC for each megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy their panels produce. You can sell these SRECs to your utility company to make money back.
Virginia solar customers who purchase their systems in full or take out a loan also qualify for the federal solar tax credit, referred to as the Residential Clean Energy Credit. This federal credit provides a federal tax deduction equal to 30% of your solar panel installation costs. The credit will drop to 26% in 2033 before reducing to 22% in 2034. It will end in 2035 unless Congress renews it.
You can also participate in net metering in Virginia. Signing up for net metering allows you to earn credits on your electricity bill for every extra kilowatt-hour of solar electricity you send back to the grid.
What Should You Look For in a Solar Company?
Solar panels are an investment that requires thorough research and vetting. We recommend considering the following factors when choosing a solar company.
Solar Services
Not all companies have the same offerings. Some only install panels, while others also install solar batteries, inverters, EV chargers, and other accessories. Some have an in-house installation team, while others outsource labor to third parties.
You can also find companies that partner with third parties for services such as roof repair and pest control to make your installation smoother. Additionally, some companies have mobile apps and active system monitoring for continued support after installation. Make your investment go further by getting as much as you can from a company.
Warranties and Power Production Guarantees
Solar warranties usually fall into the below categories. Top companies offer 25-year warranties in each of these cases, though some limit their workmanship warranty to 10 years. We recommend finding a company that provides 25-year warranties for each warranty type to cover the lifetime of your solar investment.
- Manufacturer’s warranty (or product warranty): This protects the individual solar system components in case of defects.
- Workmanship warranty: A workmanship warranty covers installation in case of poor workmanship or faulty installation.
- Performance (or power production) guarantee: A power production guarantee refers to the promised power output for your panels for the duration of their life span. This should be outlined in your contract. These guarantees can be 10–15 years for cheap solar panels or 25 years for premium options.
Payment Options
There are four primary solar financing options:
- Full purchase: You’ll pay for your system in full up-front and own it immediately.
- Loan: A solar loan allows you to make monthly payments on your system and eventually own it. Note that you’ll pay more in the long-term due to interest rates.
- Lease: Leases also allow you to pay monthly to rent your system. You won’t own your system or qualify for solar incentives, but you also won’t have to put any money down.
- Power purchase agreement: PPAs allow you to pay monthly for the energy your system generates, similar to an electricity bill. This option also disqualifies you from solar incentives.
We generally don’t recommend solar leases or PPAs. However, they’re worth considering if you don’t want to make a big financial commitment and are primarily concerned with being more eco-friendly or generating short-term savings on your energy bills. A reputable installer should be able to give you an idea of your estimated savings with any payment option.
Customer Support
Visit a provider’s site to see which customer support options it offers. Try calling the company and speaking with a representative to see how helpful and friendly the support team is. Read customer reviews on the BBB, Trustpilot, and other respected review sites. Look for patterns in complaints about product performance, service, and surprise fees.
How To Get a Solar Quote in Virginia
Getting a solar quote is simple. You can do this online with most companies by following these steps:
- Visit the provider’s website and look for the Get a Quote button, often in the top right corner of the home page.
- Fill out the requested information, which typically includes your location, home size, and contact information.
- Review your estimate and select the products you want, such as panel type and solar accessories.
You can also call to get a free quote. When we called SunPower, we were asked about our location to gauge the sun exposure in our area. We were also asked about our roof to determine what size and style of solar panels could be installed. From there, we were given estimates based on which type and size of panels we wanted. The call took less than 15 minutes.
Our Conclusion
All of the providers on this list are reputable and trustworthy. We particularly recommend Freedom Solar and Blue Raven Solar for their products and services. Both companies have positive customer reviews and a history of being leaders in the solar industry. They also offer some of the most energy-efficient panels available.
Whichever solar provider you choose, carefully review its site and policies, read customer reviews, and get an online quote. We suggest getting a quote from at least three solar installation companies to compare pricing.
Other Virginia Home Service Resources
FAQ About Solar Companies in VA
Is solar worth it in Virginia?
Yes, it’s worth it to go solar in Virginia. The state has invested more than $4 billion in solar energy as of early 2023. It also has regularly sunny weather, making it ideal for generating solar energy. Major companies such as Amazon and Microsoft have installed systems in the state to power their facilities.
What is the average cost of solar in VA?
According to EnergySage, the average cost of solar panels in Virginia is $15,050 for a standard 5-kilowatt system. This is before applying any solar incentives to reduce costs.
Does Virginia have a solar tax credit?
Virginia does not have a solar state tax credit, but residents can access other incentives and rebates as well as the federal tax credit.
What is the best solar company brand?
Many solar customers express positive experiences with solar panel companies such as Freedom Solar and Blue Raven.
Our Methodology
We are committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparent reviews and data to back up our ratings and recommendations. Our rating system for solar providers is on a 100-point system based on five factors:
- Payment options (40 points): Options include purchase, loan, lease, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Companies receive points for each of the four options they provide.
- Solar services (30 points): Does the company provide in-house installation of solar panels and battery backups? Can the company also monitor energy production and perform energy-efficiency audits to ensure system performance? The more options available, the higher the score.
- Warranty options (10 points): The success of a residential solar system depends on the workmanship, performance guarantees, and length of product coverage. The more warranties a company offers, the higher the score it receives.
- State availability (10 points): We award the most points to companies with the broadest service area and state availability.
- Reputation (10 points): We factor in how the Business Better Bureau (BBB) scores each company. We deduct points for any alerts or pending lawsuits.
Total scores are divided by 20 for a final 5-point rating scale.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.