4 Best Solar Companies in Charleston, WV (2023 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Charleston based on:
-
Customer review scores - Service area for Charleston, WV
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Charleston homeowner saves $1,403/year with solar panels
Updated September 15, 2023
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Charleston
As a homeowner in Charleston, you may be interested in switching to solar energy and curious about the best solar companies in your area. Solar could be a great choice since it comes with lots of benefits. On average, you can save $17,000 over 20 years after installing a solar panel system. And because solar panels have a lifespan of about 25 to 30 years, your total cost savings will be much higher than that overall.
The cost of installing solar panels can vary substantially depending on your home's framework and your overall energy needs. Interested in knowing the cost of installing solar panels on your roof? Click "get quote" below to get a free, no-obligation quote from a highly rated Charleston solar installer.
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 Charleston
Revolt Energy, Solar Installation Experts
-
Informative Resources - Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
-
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
-
Home installations - Business installations
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Nitro Construction Services
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Home installations
- Tailored solutions
- Business installations
Solar Eclipse Tinting
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Tailored solutions
- Expert panel installation
Go Green Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Business installations
- Home installations
- Expert panel installation
- Tailored solutions
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
For a lot of homeowners, whether or not you should invest in solar energy boils down to the cost. Some important things that impact the cost and possible savings include:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 30% of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can benefit from. Plus, you can save about $17,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, without incentives.
- Typical energy usage: The more electricity your home uses on average and the larger your current electricity bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from switching to solar.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof doesn't see much direct sunlight, your solar panels won't be able to generate as much energy, which will give you lower savings on electric bills than someone with a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- Choice of solar panels: The kind of solar panels you want will affect your total cost. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels are more expensive upfront but can also lead to more savings over the lifetime of your system. If space isn't a constraint for your project, you can opt for a higher number of more affordable panels.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you hope to reduce your energy bills, greenhouse gas emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Charleston homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
For an idea of both how much you could save and help protect the environment by installing solar panels, you can try out the calculator below. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Charleston, WV.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years. This means that with an average cost of {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }}, it would take {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years to recover the cost of of your solar array.
Solar Incentives in Charleston
Because solar power is more sustainable than burning fossil fuels, there are several government incentives in place to encourage its adoption. In addition to the federal tax credit incentive, there are also some state- and city-level programs, which in most cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you can save even more. Check out our article on solar incentives to learn what incentives are available to you.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Charleston
An important reason so many consider going solar is to help reduce their environmental impact. You may be trying to figure out — how much does going solar do for the environment anyway? Regardless of your location, you can help protect the planet by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume more energy will have an even bigger impact. In Charleston, the average person can lower their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. The benefits of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with making the switch to solar.
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 Charleston, WV Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best near me?
In Charleston, Solar Light Works is the top local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're planning on installing solar panels on your house.
Are solar panels actually environmentally friendly?
Solar panels can be bad for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they've reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
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 10.5 years, but the exact period is influenced by local electricity costs, incentives and net metering programs.
When should I install solar panels?
You can put up solar panels whenever it's convenient for you, but consider doing it in the winter when there's less demand. With fewer homeowners contracting installers, you could potentially see faster installation times and more savings.
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.