solar palm
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Palmetto Solar has been in the solar energy business since 2010 and now has installations in 20 states. You can get a free quote and guidance from their support team throughout the solar installation experience. Palmetto installs Q Cells and REC Alpha solar panels with a 25-year performance warranty. Palmetto Protect is a subscription service to monitor the performance of your solar system and any necessary maintenance.
SunPower Solar is a national solar company based in California. The company manufactures its own high-quality products, such as Maxeon solar panels and SunValut solar panels. Although these products may be more expensive than the competition, the warranty guarantees the production of solar panels at 92% capacity after 25 years. Many competitors only guarantee up to 85% output after 25 years.
Tesla solar power
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Tesla Solar offers a wide range of services and is known for offering cheaper solar costs through its Price Match Guarantee. The company also manufactures its own battery, the Tesla Powerwall. Tesla Solar installations are backed by a 10-year weather and labor warranty. Your panels are also guaranteed to operate at at least 25% capacity after 25 years.
Local Solar Panel Companies in Virginia
Check out some local solar installers during your search. We've selected some local solar installers with the highest Google ratings, but it's always important to do your research. If you know someone who has already installed solar power, try to get recommendations from that person. Here are some local installers that might be worth considering.
convert solar energy
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Convert Solar has one of the highest Google ratings for local solar companies in Virginia. The company's in-house team handles every step of the process and you'll also get a free solar quote. Your solar panels will have a 25-year warranty. You will also have the option of installing a solar panel. Convert Solar offers financing options. You may not even need to pay a deposit.
Ipsun Solar
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As a local solar installer, Ipsun Solar serves Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC. Ipsun Solar uses branded products such as SolarEdge, Tesla Powerwall and Enphase inverters. In addition to a 25-year manufacturer's warranty on solar panels and inverters, Ipsun Solar offers a 12-year warranty on installation labor. If you're interested in a longer warranty, the company offers a 30-year extended warranty through Solar Insure. Financing options include cash purchases and solar loans or leases. The company does not offer PPA.
NovaSolar:
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Nova Solar has been providing solar services to residents of Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland for over 15 years. The company manages the process from design to installation with its authorized in-house team. Nova Solar installs REC Alpha solar panels with an extended warranty that lasts a total of 25 years. The company offers other installation options such as Q Cells solar panels, Enphase microinverters, and SolarEdge inverters and power optimizers. Nova Solar includes a 20-year labor warranty in addition to the manufacturer's warranties on installed products.
How do I decide which Virginia solar company is right for me?
You probably have several options for solar installers in your area. But which is the best and how will you know? Since every home is slightly different, every solar installation will also be different. What really matters is finding an installer who is experienced with your type of roof and the type of system you want to install, whether on-grid, hybrid or off-grid.
Ben Dellman, director of communications for Solar United Neighbours, a clean energy nonprofit, says homeowners should seek out NABCEP-certified and duly licensed solar installers to do their job. To better understand the company's reputation, read online reviews from as many sources as possible. Google and Yelp reviews are a good place to start. Look for solar companies with at least 20-30 reviews. If you know someone who already has solar power on their roof, ask them for recommendations as well.
Benjamin Hoyne, Virginia program manager for Solar United Neighbors, advises homeowners to get at least three solar appraisals before choosing an installer and to be wary of high-pressure sales tactics.
“The good news is there’s never a rush to go solar. I'm not saying you shouldn't benefit from solar power, but what I'm saying is if a salesperson pushes you and tells you to sign up. today, a contract or an offer, it ends, that’s not true,” Hoyne said.
Make sure you understand how the federal solar energy tax credit works and have your installer explain it to you properly. The federal tax credit is a tax credit and not a refund. And everything can't be perfect. This is not guaranteed for everyone.
According to Delman and Hoyne, a good solar installer should be able to:
- Give good word of mouth referrals
- Clearly explain the project and work schedules.
- Define technical terms in an easy-to-understand way.
- Clearly explain how the federal solar tax credit works.
- Be transparent about pricing and how financing works.
- Find out about local permit requirements and the system connection process with your local utility company.
- Understanding the limitations of the homeowners association will help you navigate the process.
- Answer all the questions, even the most difficult ones.
Please feel free to ask for clarification on any project and pricing details. Solar energy is an expensive and confusing process. Your installer should help you feel informed every step of the way.
Learn more. I'm just looking for an emergency backup. Discover portable solar panels and solar generators.
Average cost of solar panels in Virginia
Here's the average cash price for a 5-kilowatt system before tax credits are taken into account, according to FindEnergy.com. But your system can become more expensive if you decide to install a solar panel.
Virginia Solar Panel Incentives and Rebates
Although the state of Virginia does not offer energy incentives, homeowners can still take advantage of Virginia's net metering and renewable solar credit market.
Net metering allows you to sell excess solar energy back to the grid.
“They are lent at a one-to-one interest rate. The same thing they would do when buying electricity from the grid on a rainy day or at night,” Hoyne said.
Similarly, you can also sell your excess solar energy as a revolving solar credit. Some states require energy companies to supply a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources. Energy companies will purchase and market SRECs to meet these requirements.
"SRECs are available in Virginia. You can sell your credits quarterly or even monthly," Hoyne said. "The price will never exceed $75 per SREC, so they often sell for $50-$60 per SREC.
You can participate in both net metering and SREC marketing, but the most obvious solar incentive is the federal solar energy tax credit. This 30% tax credit applies to solar panel systems purchased between early 2022 and 2032.
How to Pay for Solar Panels in Virginia
There are many payment options for Virginia residents interested in solar panels. Here are some of the most common ways to pay for your dashboards.
Species. Paying cash is not only interest-free, but also allows you to enjoy solar incentives. If you're paying cash, be prepared for significant upfront costs. If you plan to go solar in the future, consider saving with a high-yield savings account.
Solar loan. Your solar installer will likely offer you a financing option called a solar loan. Loan terms and fees can vary, so shop for low interest rates and get multiple quotes before signing on the dotted line.
Other Loan Options: You are not limited by your installer's financing options. Getting a personal loan from your bank or opening a home equity line of credit are other options. Keep in mind that the HELOC route could cause you to lose your home if you fail to pay your debt.
Solar lease and power purchase contracts.
You don't have solar panels. Instead, you pay to use the devices or to buy the energy they produce. These options can help cover upfront costs. However, the terms of these transactions, particularly any learning, are critical to the return on investment. People with solar lease agreements, or PPAs, typically save less than those who own the panels and are generally not eligible for tax deductions.
Virginia Solar Community
Shared solar, commonly called community solar, allows homeowners to power their homes with solar energy by purchasing electricity generated by third-party solar equipment. And some solar trade programs offer cheaper electricity than you would normally pay at your utility provider's retail rate. The state created its own community solar program, called the Shared Solar Program, for customers served by Dominion Energy.
But this particular program also has a downside for some families: the minimum account requirement. Households enrolling in the shared solar plan must pay a minimum of $55.10 per month to participate. However, low-income households are exempt from the minimum bill requirement, making solar energy more affordable for low-income households.
“The average minimum bill for a low-income homeowner or family would be about $55 per month, which is the highest overall minimum bill for solar in the country,” Hoyne said.
The program is currently on a waitlist and capacity is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
“There are currently no shared solar projects in place,” Hoyne said. “We have heard that several projects are expected to come online this fall.”
Installation Factors to Consider
Are solar panels right for your home? Before making your final decision, consider the following five factors regarding solar installation.
How we find the best solar companies
Hands-on review of a solar company is difficult, if not impossible, to account for all the differences between projects. Instead, we focused on what we could meaningfully measure and compare across solar companies.
When we evaluate solar companies, we focus on three categories of criteria: equipment, warranty and service.
For the equipment category, companies receive points for the panels, batteries and inverters they install. The warranty category includes panel, manufacturing and waterproofing warranties. Solar companies will score points in the utility category if they offer a price match guarantee, a good level of price transparency, and a well-rated app for monitoring solar production. Solar companies lose points for obvious customer service issues. This includes lawsuits, investigations, or a reputation for poor quality services. These service issues will still be detailed in the review.
Here's a closer look at how we break down points.
We do not take into account the average price of a solar company's installations in its estimate. It is difficult to find accurate and reliable pricing information and compare it across service sectors (and even across projects). Solar companies are also often slow to provide this information. We also omit easy-to-find (but not useful) information, such as: How many countries does the company operate in?
Virginia Sun FAQ
Are all solar panels the same?
Are solar panels worth it in Virginia?
How much do solar panels cost in Virginia?
Are solar panels good for the environment?
