3 Best Solar Companies in Charleston, WV (2024 Reviews)

We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 3 in Charleston based on:

  • Customer review scores
  • Service area for Charleston, WV
  • Company policies and services offered
  • Accreditations and certifications

Average Charleston homeowner saves $1,403/year with solar panels

By EcoWatch Local Advisors

Data Analysis: James Savino

Ranking Methodology: Karsten Neumeister

Updated February 01, 2024

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 Charleston

When you’re on the hunt for the best solar companies in Charleston, digging through all the options can be challenging, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many good benefits. Plus, forward-thinking government support gave rise to growing numbers of solar companies, setting the groundwork for a clean, bright and lucrative future in the state.


Here, we’ll make a list of some of the top solar companies in Charleston to make your choice a little easier.To get an estimate of how much it could cost to put solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Charleston

Best Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

5.0/5

Revolt Energy

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: https://revolt-energy.com/
Address: 4300 1st Ave, Nitro, WV 25143
Phone: 3042041580
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

4.9/5

Baseline Solar Solutions

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Commercial Panels

Website: http://www.baselinesolar.com/
Address: 560 Depot St NE, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Phone: 5405521511
Outstanding Local Installer
ecowatch badge icon

EcoWatch Rating

3.0/5

Cenvar Solar - New River Valley

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

Services Offered

  • Service icon Commercial Panels
  • Service icon Maintenance
  • Service icon Permit Assistance
  • Service icon Skilled Repairs
  • Service icon Residential Panels
  • Service icon Off-Grid Solar Systems
  • Service icon Cleaning
  • Service icon Solar Roof Assessment
  • Service icon Financing Assistance
  • Service icon EV Charger

Website: https://www.cenvarsolar.com/
Address: 4746 Wurno Rd, Pulaski, VA 24301
Phone: 5407665432

Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Charleston

EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Charleston 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 Charleston


Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for West 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 Charleston

The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down greatly in the past several years, but it’s still a large investment for most homeowners.There are quite a few factors you should consider when determining how much it will cost and how much you can save, including:

  • Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels will cost more upfront but can also save you more money over the lifetime of your system. If you don’t need to maximize efficiency, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
  • Average daily sunlight: Since Charleston 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 electricity bills will be.
  • How much energy you use: If your family uses a lot of energy, you'll reap more rewards from going solar.
  • Incentives: Something that can reduce the cost of 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 utility bills, which can result in an average of $17,000 of savings over 20 years.

Solar is a worthwhile investment for most homeowners. You can make your own energy instead of paying for it from the grid and benefit from solar incentives, all while helping protect the planet.

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Solar Incentives in Charleston

In an effort to increase solar panel installation and usage, federal, state and local governments – and even some utility companies – offer incentives to help make going solar more economically viable and accessible.These incentives typically take the form of cash rebates, tax credits and/or solar renewable energy credits. They can lower the cost of installing solar panels by 0, upwards of 50% depending on your location. In our article on solar incentives, you can find out about the incentives you qualify for in your area.

Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Charleston

Installing solar panels can have a positive effect on the environment.Something many might have in mind is how much can they really help the environment by switching to solar power anyway? The average person has a sizable carbon footprint. Between their car, which produces over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions every year, and energy for their home, it can be overwhelming to think about what to do. Using solar power is one of the easiest things you can do to help.Even though solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Charleston, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. Since energy from the sun is renewable and produces electricity without free from carbon dioxide emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help protect the planet.

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 Technology

Tesla Energy

★★★★★
3.2

  • 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 Charleston, WV Solar Company Rankings FAQs

What is the top solar company in Charleston?

The highest-rated local solar company in Charleston is Revolt Energy, with a rating of 5.00 stars.

What are some of the main advantages and disadvantages of installing solar panels?

The main advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, totally eradicate your electricity bills, raise your home’s value and bring down your carbon footprint. The greatest 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 it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.

How long does it take to see a return on your investment after buying solar panels?

The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 13.5 years, but the exact period varies depending on local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.

How long do solar panels last?

Even though the average lifespan of solar panels is 25 to 30 years, that doesn't mean they stop working completely. What this means is their energy production will have decreased by about 0.8% each year since installing them. You can replace them after having them for that long or you can continue to use them at a lower efficiency after that time.

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.