3 Best Solar Companies in Richlands, VA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Richlands based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Richlands, VA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Richlands homeowner saves $1,392/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Richlands
Looking for energy freedom in Richlands? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding course of action since you can take advantage of lots of benefits after adopting solar power. Due to Richlands' great level of sunshine on average, there are lots of solar companies to choose from.
As you start your search for the best solar companies in Richlands, you’ll notice that there are a lot of providers to choose between. So, we’ve organized a carefully curated list of the top solar companies in the area.To help you find out if solar panels are worth it for your home, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from one of the best solar companies in Richlands by clicking the button 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
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 Richlands
Ecological Energy Systems
Reliable Customer Support- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Future Smart
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
- Permit Assistance
Collaborative Solar, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Richlands
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Richlands 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 Richlands
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 Richlands
When choosing a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs above all.The cost of solar and the savings it generates vary depending on a few important factors such as:
- How much energy your household consumes: Households that consume plenty of power each month may require more solar panels and, as a result, be more expensive, but will also save more on their energy bills over time.
- 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.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Richlands gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much your solar panels can save you on your electricity bills.
- Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project 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 on your utility bills, which can generate an average of $17,000 of savings over 20 years.
So is a solar system worth it? Whether you’d like to decrease your energy bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Richlands homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Richlands
In order to increase the adoption of solar power, federal and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make solar power more economically viable and accessible.You qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your a solar panel system. You can also possibly use the ITC with other state and city incentives. For more information about local incentives, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Richlands
Many want to do what they can to help save the planet, which often is the main reason they’re interested in installing solar panels.You may be asking yourself – how much does making the switch help the planet anyway? For people who care about the environment, going solar is a no-brainer, especially since Richlands produces a high amount of carbon dioxide emissions from its energy generation.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could look forward to lowering your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. As you can see, trading traditional energy for solar has so many other rewards apart from saving money. One of the major ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
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 Richlands, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best in Richlands?
The highest-rated local solar company in Richlands is Ecological Energy Systems, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Producing solar panels requires chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be dangerous for the environment, which is the main drawback of solar panels.
Is it worth putting solar panels on my roof?
Solar panels can be a great investment for many homeowners, but frankly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How efficient is a solar panel system?
In most cases, solar panels are about 15 to 25% efficient, meaning they can convert that percentage of the energy from the sun into usable electricity.
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.