9 Best Solar Companies in Salem, VA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 9 in Salem based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Salem, VA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Salem homeowner saves $1,326/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Salem
If you’re a home or business owner looking to make use of the solar incentives in Salem, it can be difficult to narrow down which company to choose. But, the hard work is worth it since adopting solar energy is often a great choice. One of the key reasons why many homeowners are thinking about switching to solar power is because it can significantly lower your monthly utility bills which keep getting higher each year.
There are plenty of installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Salem.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Salem solar companies, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Salem
Cenvar Solar - Roanoke
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Permit Assistance- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Magic City Solar Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Battery Storage
- System Decommissioning
Baseline Solar Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Main Street Solar Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Earth Right Efficiency
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
Earth Right Mid-Atlantic
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- System Decommissioning
Cenvar Solar - Lynchburg
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
JD Solar Power
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Affordable Energy Concepts Inc
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Community Solar Projects
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Salem
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Salem 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 Salem
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 Salem
The cost of putting up a solar panel system has dropped significantly in the past few years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.There are quite a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine costs and your potential savings, including:
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn’t get a lot of direct sunlight, your solar panel system won’t be able to make as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electric bills than a house with a roof that gets lots of sunlight.
- Your energy bills: This will affect how much you can save. In Salem, the average resident can save about $1,500 a year on their electricity bills.
- 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.
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently allows you to reduce your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state and even local utility companies may also have incentives and rebates that you can use. In addition, you can save about $17,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, not including incentives.
Although a solar panel system costs a decent chunk of money upfront, it can save you a considerable amount in the long term. The question of how much, though, depends on a number of factors, including the angle of your roof and your current power bills.
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Solar Incentives in Salem
One of the good things about installing a solar panel system is earning federal and potentially state incentives.Local solar incentives depend on the location and, sometimes, utility company. Many states offer rebates for solar power, in addition to the federal solar tax credit. For detailed information about incentives that apply to you, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Salem
One of the best reasons to embrace solar power is to decrease your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are destructive for the environment.But how much can using solar energy instead of traditional energy actually affect the environment? In a city like Salem where energy use is somewhat high, installing solar panels is a great idea for homeowners who are eco-conscious.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could lower your carbon dioxide emissions by about 20 pounds each year. Since energy from the sun is abundant and generates electricity without releasing carbon emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help protect the environment.
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 Salem, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the top solar panel installation company in Salem?
The highest-rated local solar company in Salem is Cenvar Solar - Roanoke, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels really bad for the environment?
Producing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a beneficial investment for lots of homeowners, but admittedly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get enough sunlight or your electricity bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
What is the efficiency of solar panels?
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 less of them for 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.