10 Best Solar Companies in Chesapeake, VA (Aug 2022 Review)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in Chesapeake based on:
-
Customer review scores - Solar installers near you
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Updated 7/19/2022
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best solar companies in Chesapeake
When deciding on the best solar installers, Chesapeake homeowners have more providers to choose from than ever before, which can be overwhelming, but we're here to make switching to solar power simpler. Solar panels can be expensive, but the switch will save you money on your energy bills in the long term. In fact, you can expect to save about $19,000 over 20 years.
The cost of installing solar panels can change greatly depending on your home's layout and your household energy usage. Keep reading to see our picks for the best solar companies in the city, or get connected to a certified solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Chesapeake
Nationwide Service
Average Cost
SunPower
-
Most efficient panels on the market - National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
-
Expensive - Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
-
Solar Panels - Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- System Monitoring
Local Service
POWERHOME SOLAR
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reported issues with customer services
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Regional Service
Average Cost
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- System Monitoring
Nationwide Service
Average Cost
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Solar Roof Shingles
- System Monitoring
Local Service
ION Solar, LLC - Virginia
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Makes charitable contributions
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Moxie Solar Inc
- Offers a free quote process
- Has an online quote form
- Educational sales approach
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reported communication issues
- Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
- Some reported issues with customer services
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Batteries
Regional Service
Average Cost
Sunpro Solar
- Industry-leading warranty coverage
- Expansive service area
- Some reported communication issues
- No leases or PPAs
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- EV Chargers
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
Regional Service
Average Cost
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
- Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
- Maintenance & Repairs
Local Service
Southern Exposure Solar LLC
- Offers a free quote process
- Can browse portfolio on website
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solar Tyme
- Custom system designs
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Batteries
Solar Company Ranking Methodology
Click here to see a more detailed overview of our solar company ranking methodology.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Chesapeake
When deciding on a solar company, most homeowners or business owners worry about the costs the most. Some significant things that impact the upfront cost and potential savings over time include:
- Electricity consumption: The average household in Chesapeake uses a lot of energy, and consequently may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 26% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. Additionally, not including incentives, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
- Your income and budget: This affects what kind of solar panels you can afford.
- The amount of sunlight your roof gets: Because of Chesapeake's very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your electric bills.
There are lots of good benefits of solar despite the initial cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your finances. Additionally, it can increase the value of your home, giving you even more benefits if you want to sell your home later.
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For an estimate of both how much you could save and impact the Earth by installing solar panels, you can test out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Chesapeake, VA.
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Solar Incentives in Chesapeake
In order to increase the number of homes and businesses that use solar power, incentives are offered by the government — and even some utility companies — to help make switching to solar power more economically viable and accessible. There are several federal, state and local rebates and tax credits that earn a decent amount of money back after buying a solar panel system. Take a look at the table below to see what incentives you can take advantage of.
| Name | ITC |
| Type | Tax Incentive |
| Incentive Amount | 26% of installation cost |
| Website | Visit here |
| Name | Local Option- Renewable Energy Machinery and Tools Property Tax Exemption |
| Incentive Amount | Depends on the local governing body |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
| Name | Local Option - Residential Property Tax Exemption for Solar |
| Incentive Amount | Varies (local option) |
| Incentive Max | Varies (local option) |
| Website | Visit here |
| More Info | Click here |
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Chesapeake
Installing solar panels can have a beneficial impact on the environment. But how much can installing solar panels actually help the environment? Switching to solar power is an impactful choice for the environment, because the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation — all of which can be powered by solar instead. In Chesapeake, the average resident can reduce their carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year after going solar. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other perks besides saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
The Green Panel
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Chesapeake, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Chesapeake is POWERHOME SOLAR, with a rating of 4.87 stars.
Are solar panels really environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the construction. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to recycle safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Solar panel manufacturing uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 10.3 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the faster your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
How often do solar panels need to be replaced?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency decreases by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.