15 Best Solar Companies in Charlottesville, VA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in Charlottesville based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Charlottesville, VA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Charlottesville homeowner saves $1,496/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Charlottesville
If you’re on the hunt for the best solar companies in Charlottesville, sifting through hundreds of options can be daunting, but it can pay off since adopting solar power can offer so many good benefits. After 20 years of offsetting your energy costs with solar panels, you can save about $18,000 on your power bills.
The cost of installing solar panels can change greatly based on your home’s infrastructure and your household energy usage.If you’d like to get free, no-obligation quotes from the best Charlottesville solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Charlottesville
Virtue Solar
Clear Pricing Policy- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Paradise Energy Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Tiger Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
SunDay Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
SANDWAVE ENERGY
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Genesis Home and Energy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Green Hill Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
Radiant Home | Solar, Roofing, Battery Backup
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Southern Exposure Solar
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Nexus Energy Systems
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Tesla Powerwall
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
Huffman Electrical Systems Inc
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Shockoe Solar, LLC
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
Horizon Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Affordable Energy Concepts Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
JD Solar Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Charlottesville
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Charlottesville based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Charlottesville
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Virginia solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Charlottesville
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs above all.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on some important factors such as:
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar energy system this year can save 0 of their total solar spend by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $18,000 on your utility bills over 20 years without incentives.
- average energy usage: The more power your household uses on average and the steeper your current power bills are, the more money you could save by making the switch to solar.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your rooftop doesn’t see much direct sunlight, your solar system won’t be able to produce as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on electric bills than a house with a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- System size and type: Some models are more costly than others, so the one you want can raise or lower your initial investment. Plus, the more solar panels you need, the more it'll cost.
There are several good benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the planet and your bank account. Additionally, it can boost the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in Charlottesville
One of the benefits of installing a solar panel system is receiving government incentives.These incentives usually consist of cash rebates, tax credits and/or performance-based incentives. They can reduce the cost you pay for installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% depending on your location. You can find out about the incentives available to you in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Charlottesville
Swapping traditional energy for solar is a great way to do what you can for a more eco-friendly future.You may be trying to figure out – how much does making the switch do for the environment anyway? One thing you should keep in mind is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend a lot of time in the car and have an electric vehicle, you can install solar panels on your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions.Since solar panels don’t release greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere when creating electricity, they’re a good swap for nonrenewable energy sources. In fact, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 60 pounds each year. For homeowners who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's Charlottesville, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in Charlottesville?
The best local solar company in Charlottesville is Virtue Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.
What are a few of the main pros and cons of going solar?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, 100% erase your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and cut back on your carbon footprint. The greatest disadvantages are that solar panels can be expensive to install, you may not save as much if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after installing solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.4 years, but the exact period depends on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how many watts of power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can usually produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average house will need 20 to 35 panels.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.