10 Best Solar Companies in Manchester, VA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 10 in Manchester based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Manchester, VA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Manchester homeowner saves $790/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Manchester
Are you looking for energy freedom in Manchester? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding home project since you can take advantage of a lot of perks when you go solar. Due to Manchester's very high level of sunshine on average, it's long been on the leading edge of solar energy.
If you’re thinking about going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in Manchester and compare quotes. That’s why we went ahead and compiled a list of the best solar companies to make your life easier.To get free quotes from the top-rated solar companies in Manchester, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Manchester
SolarTyme
Reliable Customer Support- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Panel Installation
Radiant Home | Solar, Roofing, Battery Backup
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Southern Exposure Solar
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Nexus Energy Systems
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tesla Powerwall
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
Greentech Renewables Virginia
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Horizon Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Shockoe Solar, LLC
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
Big Boss Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Cenvar Solar - Charlottesville
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Shockoe Solar, LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Skilled Repairs
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Manchester
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Manchester 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 Manchester
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 Manchester
We get that for many homeowners, the choice to invest in solar comes down to installation costs.A few main factors that influence the cost of installing solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time include:
- Typical energy usage: The more energy your home uses on average and the higher your current energy bills are, the more benefits you’ll see from switching to solar.
- The cost of energy for you: If your local energy rates are high, there's a better chance you'll see a higher return on your investment in solar panels. In Manchester, you can save an average of $1,599 a month on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: One thing that can make your solar project cost less is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that’s equal to a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your power bills, which can generate an average of $9,900 of savings over 20 years.
- The type of solar panel system you can buy: This is dependent on how much you’re willing to spend upfront.
Though a solar panel system costs a sizable chunk of money upfront, it can save you much more in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on several factors, including the angle of your roof and incentives.
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Solar Incentives in Manchester
Although solar power is typically a $15,000 to $25,000 investment, it can save you a substantial amount of money over several years due to lower energy bills and government incentives.State and city solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for home solar power systems, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For comprehensive information about incentives for homeowners in Manchester, see our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Manchester
Many want to do what they can to help save the environment, which often is the prime reason they’re interested in installing a solar system.You may be wondering – how much does going solar do for the planet anyway? If your home uses a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar energy.While solar panel production releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have been responsible for if you still used nonrenewable energy. In Manchester, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 20 pounds a year with solar panels. The great things about solar power are plentiful — just like solar power is! That's why so many people have been happy with using solar energy.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- 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 Manchester, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar company in Manchester?
The top local solar company in Manchester is SolarTyme, with a rating of 4.40 stars.
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
The advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, in some cases, completely cut your electricity bills, raise the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The biggest 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.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your power bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
Solar panel efficiency is the amount of energy from the sun that is converted into electricity. Most panels today have an efficiency rating between 15 and 20%. If your panels are more efficient, you'll need fewer of them to meet your home's energy needs.
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.