12 Best Solar Companies in University Of Virginia, VA (2023 Reviews)

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

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for University Of Virginia, VA
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average University Of Virginia homeowner saves $1,508/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated May 04, 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 University Of Virginia

Looking for energy freedom in University Of Virginia? Installing solar panels can be a rewarding course of action since you can take advantage of many perks when you switch to solar power. On average, you can save $18,000 over 20 years with solar panels. And since solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total savings will be even more than that overall.

If you're thinking about going solar, the first step to take is to find the best solar companies in University Of Virginia and compare quotes. The great news is we went ahead and compiled a list of the best solar companies for you. We advise shopping around to get several quotes and comparing them to find the best installer for your home. To receive free, no-obligation quotes from the best solar panel companies in University Of Virginia, 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

Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in University Of Virginia

Best National Provider
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

SunPower

  • Pros icon Most efficient panels on the market
  • Pros icon National coverage
  • Pros icon Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
  • Pros icon Great warranty coverage
  • Con icon Expensive
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://us.sunpower.com/
Best Solar Financing
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EcoWatch Rating

4.5/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Blue Raven Solar

  • Pros icon Industry-leading in-house financing
  • Pros icon Competitive pricing
  • Pros icon Excellent reputation
  • Con icon Doesn't offer solar batteries

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://blueravensolar.com/
Best Warranty Coverage
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Read full review

Sunpro Solar

  • Pros icon Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Con icon Some reported communication issues
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades

Website: https://www.gosunpro.com/
Best Social Impact
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EcoWatch Rating

4.0/5

Average Cost

Palmetto Solar

  • Pros icon Expansive service area
  • Pros icon Makes charitable contributions
  • Pros icon Certified B Corp
  • Con icon No leases or PPAs
  • Con icon Quality of installation may vary by location

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon Energy-Efficiency Upgrades
  • Service icon Maintenance & Repairs

Website: https://palmetto.com/
Best Technology
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EcoWatch Rating

3.2/5

Average Cost

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Tesla Energy

  • Pros icon Price-match guarantee
  • Pros icon Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
  • Pros icon Best solar battery on the market
  • Con icon Some reported issues with customer service
  • Con icon Customer service varies by local dealer

Services Offered

  • Service icon Solar Panels
  • Service icon Solar Batteries
  • Service icon EV Chargers
  • Service icon Solar Roof Shingles
  • Service icon System Monitoring

Website: https://www.tesla.com/energy
Best Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Apex Clean Energy

  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Expert panel installation
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: http://www.apexcleanenergy.com/
Address: 120 Garrett St Suite 700, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: 4342207595
Outstanding Local Installer
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EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Blazing Star Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://www.blazingstarsolar.com/contact_us
Address: 120 Garrett St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: 2693715507
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Prairie Refuge Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions

Website: https://www.prairierefugesolar.com/contact_us
Address: 120 Garrett St, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: 2693678379
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Solar Installation & Consulting of Cville

  • Pros icon Free Quotes
  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Skilled repairs
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Expert panel installation

Website: https://solarinstallationconsulting.com/virginia-solar-installation-consultant/
Address: 200 Garrett St #318, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: 4343036469
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Azalia Solar

  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations
  • Service icon Home installations

Website: https://www.azaliasolar.com/contact_us
Address: 310 4th St NE, Lake Monticello, VA 22902
Phone: 3104thStNE
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Azalia Solar

  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Pros icon Clear Pricing Policy
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: https://www.azaliasolar.com/contact_us
Address: 310 4th St NE, Lake Monticello, VA 22902
Phone: 7342945659
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Sun Tribe

  • Pros icon Outstanding Customer Support
  • Pros icon Informative Resources
  • Con icon Limited information available on website

Services Offered

  • Service icon Home installations
  • Service icon Tailored solutions
  • Service icon Energy storage solutions
  • Service icon Business installations

Website: http://www.suntribesolar.com/
Address: 107 5th St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Phone: 8002144579

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in University Of Virginia

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in University Of Virginia 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 University Of Virginia


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 University Of Virginia

When picking a solar company, most homeowners or business owners think about the costs the most. There are several factors you should take into consideration when trying to determine the overall cost and how much you can save, such as:

  • Average daily sunlight: Since University Of Virginia gets a decent amount of average daily sunlight, your solar panels can generally produce enough energy to power your whole home, which impacts how much your electricity bills will be.
  • Incentives: Something that can save you money on your solar project is the solar investment tax credit (ITC), which is a tax credit that lets you deduct from your taxes a percentage of the project cost. You can also save money on your power bills, which can result in an average of $18,000 of savings over 20 years.
  • Your energy consumption: If your home regularly uses a lot of energy, you'll see more savings from installing solar panels.
  • The model of solar panel system you can buy: This is dependent on what your budget is.

Because of solar panels now being cheaper than ever as well as several solar incentives, they are a cost-effective investment for most homeowners.

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Adopting green energy can considerably impact both the environment and your power bills. To see how much, use the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for University Of Virginia, VA.

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Solar Incentives in University Of Virginia

If you're thinking about making the switch to solar power, several government incentives and subsidies can drastically reduce the cost of the project and speed up the return on your investment. These incentives normally take the form of cash rebates, tax breaks and/or performance-based incentives. They can lower the cost of going solar by 30%, upwards of 50% in some cases. You can learn about the incentives you can use in our article on solar incentives

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in University Of Virginia

An important reason so many homeowners consider going solar is to help bring down their environmental impact. Something many people might be thinking about is how much can they really help save the environment by switching to solar power anyway? Your energy usage is a significant factor to consider. The more electricity you use, the bigger your impact when you switch to solar energy. In fact, if you adopt solar power, you could be looking at reducing your carbon dioxide emissions by about 90 pounds each year. For those who are worried about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for reducing your carbon footprint.

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

Best Warranty Coverage

Sunpro Solar

★★★★★
4.0

  • Industry-leading warranty coverage
  • Expansive service area
  • Some reported communication issues
  • No leases or PPAs

EcoWatch's University Of Virginia, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs

Which solar power company is the best near me?

The best local solar company in University Of Virginia is Mountain View Solar, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

What are the pros and cons of switching to solar?

The advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, in some cases, entirely eradicate your electricity bills, improve the value of your home and reduce your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey 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 need a large upfront investment that will cost you several thousands of dollars, but whether or not solar panels are worth it depends on a variety of factors like local electricity rates and the amount of direct sunlight your roof gets.

How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?

Solar panel capacity is rated depending on how many watts of power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can generally produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.

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.