12 Best Solar Companies in Portsmouth, VA (Mar 2023 Review)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 12 in Portsmouth based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Solar installers near you
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated March 14, 2023

Why you can trust EcoWatch

We work with a panel of solar experts to create unbiased reviews that empower you to make the right choice for your home. No other site has covered renewables as long as us, which means we have more data and insider information than other sites. Our rankings are never affected by revenue or partnerships.

Best solar companies in Portsmouth

When deciding on the best solar installers, Portsmouth homeowners have more providers to choose from than ever before, which can be mind-boggling, but we're here to make adopting solar power simpler. Solar panels can be expensive, but switching to solar will save you money on your utility bills over time. In fact, you can potentially save about $19,000 over 20 years.

As you begin your search for the best solar companies in Portsmouth, you'll find that there are a great number of providers to choose from. So, we've accumulated a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area. We advise shopping around to get quite a few quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To get free, no-pressure quotes from the top solar installers in Portsmouth, click the link below.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Portsmouth

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Live Wire Electrical Services logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Live Wire Electrical Services

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://livewireobx.com/
Address: 111 Shedders Walk, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
Phone: (252) 202-5813
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Total Solutions logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Total Solutions

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: http://totalsolutions.solar/
Address: 6115 Tidewater Dr #451, Norfolk, VA 23509
Phone: (602) 321-5403
Experienced Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Moxie Solar Inc logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Moxie Solar Inc

  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Has an online quote form
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Con icon Some reports of long wait times for installation
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues
  • Con icon Some reports of high-pressure sales tactics
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer services

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles

Website: http://moxiesolar.com
Address: 780 Lynnhaven Pkwy STE 400, Virginia Beach, VA 23452-7332
Phone: (757) 664-9759
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Radiant Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Radiant Solar

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.goradiantsolar.com/
Address: 9962 Brook Rd Suite 660, Glen Allen, VA 23059
Phone: (804) 728-0862
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
POWERHOME SOLAR logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

POWERHOME SOLAR

  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Con icon Some reports of long wait times for installation
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer services

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services

Website: https://www.powerhome.com/
Address: 13536 Charlotte Ct, Chester, VA 23836-5500
Phone: (833) 423-1132
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Performance Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Performance Solar

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.perfsolar.com/
Address: 7047 River Rd #1812, Hanover, VA 23069
Phone: (866) 933-9849
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
ION Solar, LLC - Virginia logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

ION Solar, LLC - Virginia

  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Pros icon NABCEP-certified technicians
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://ionsolar.com
Address: 2697 International Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23452-7803
Phone: (757) 273-8033
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
691 Electric logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

691 Electric

  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Licensing and credentials transparency
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://691electric.com/
Address: 2621 South Bridge Ln, Nags Head, NC 27959
Phone: (252) 548-2678
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
New Horizon Solar Solutions logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

New Horizon Solar Solutions

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.newhorizonsolarsolutions.com/
Address: 2400 Old Brick Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Phone: (804) 655-0496
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Southern Exposure Solar LLC logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Southern Exposure Solar LLC

  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Offers a free quote process
  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.southernexposuresolar.com
Address: 11030 Richardson Road Suite B33, Ashland, VA 23005
Phone: (804) 965-4040
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Freedom Solar logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Freedom Solar

  • Pros icon More transparent pricing than competitors
  • Pros icon Educational sales approach
  • Pros icon Speedy and efficient installations
  • Pros icon Can browse portfolio on website
  • Pros icon Assists with maximizing rebate
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Solar Services
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: https://www.google.com/aclk
Address: Chesapeake, VA, VA VA
Phone: (757) 250-7626
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon
Solar Tyme logo

Local Service

EcoWatch Rating

star-full star-full star-full star-full star-full

Solar Tyme

  • Pros icon Custom system designs
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Solar Panels

Website: http://www.solartyme.net
Address: 6710 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Richmond, VA 23237
Phone: (844) 201-1915

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 Portsmouth

When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners wonder about the costs above all. The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:

  • Typical energy usage: The more energy your home consumes on average and the greater your current energy bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from making the switch to solar.
  • The amount of sunlight your house gets: Due to Portsmouth's very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your power bills.
  • Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit, which everyone in the U.S. is eligible for, allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of installing your solar panel system from your taxes. Plus, not including incentives, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your energy bills.
  • Your income and budget: This shapes what type of solar panels you can get.

As a result of solar panels decreasing in cost as well as various solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for the majority of homeowners.

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For an estimate of both how much you could save and help the environment by installing a solar panel system, you can give the calculator below a try. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Portsmouth, VA.

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Solar Incentives in Portsmouth

Switching to solar power has many great benefits. Not only can it help protect the Earth, but you can also save a decent amount of money on your installation with various government incentives. On top of the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some local programs, which in most cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. Check out our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can take advantage of.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Portsmouth

One of the most compelling reasons to adopt solar power is to minimize your reliance on nonrenewable energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are damaging for the environment. Something many people might have in mind is how much can they really help protect the environment by going solar anyway? If your home consumes a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar energy. Once you go solar, your carbon emissions can be cut by about 60 pounds every year. The great things about solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many Portsmouth residents have been happy with using solar energy.

Best National Provider

SunPower

★★★★★
5.0

  • 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

★★★★★
4.5

  • Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Competitive pricing
  • Excellent reputation
  • Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)

Best Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
4.5

  • 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 Portsmouth, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the best solar panel installation company in Portsmouth?

The top local solar company in Portsmouth is Live Wire Electrical Services, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

What are some of the biggest advantages and disadvantages of adopting solar power?

A few of the biggest pros are that it lets you spend less on your power bills, it's eco-friendly, and it can give you a significant return on your investment (ROI). The most notable cons are that solar panels don't produce electricity at night, there is a high upfront cost and solar panels can look clunky on your roof.

Are solar panels worth it?

Solar panels can be a good investment for most homeowners, but truthfully, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already fairly low, solar panels might not be for you.

When is the best time of year to install solar panels?

Despite summer being the most common time people install solar panels, the optimal time is actually winter. You can save money since there's not as much demand during the winter months, and it allows you to be up and running with solar for the more expensive power bills you may get during the summer.

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.

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