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
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Updated March 14, 2023
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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
- 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 (coming 2022)
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 Portsmouth
Local Service
Live Wire Electrical Services
-
Can browse portfolio on website - Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Commercial Solar Services - Solar Panels
Local Service
Total Solutions
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Moxie Solar Inc
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Has an online quote form
- 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 Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Solar Roof Shingles
Local Service
Radiant Solar
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
POWERHOME SOLAR
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Some reports of long wait times for installation
- Some reported issues with customer services
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
- Commercial Solar Services
Local Service
Performance Solar
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Custom system designs
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Roof Shingles
- Solar Panels
Local Service
ION Solar, LLC - Virginia
- Offers a free quote process
- Educational sales approach
- Makes charitable contributions
- NABCEP-certified technicians
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
691 Electric
- Educational sales approach
- Licensing and credentials transparency
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
New Horizon Solar Solutions
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Educational sales approach
- Excellent reputation
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Southern Exposure Solar LLC
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Offers a free quote process
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Freedom Solar
- More transparent pricing than competitors
- Educational sales approach
- Speedy and efficient installations
- Can browse portfolio on website
- Assists with maximizing rebate
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Solar Services
- Solar Panels
Local Service
Solar Tyme
- Custom system designs
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Batteries
- Solar Panels
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
- 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 (coming 2022)
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 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.