Best 5 Solar Companies in Alexandria, VA

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Alexandria

Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and valuable solar energy system. Here are some key items to keep in mind while searching for a solar provider.

Licensing and Training

Since 2012, Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has issued Alternative Energy Systems (AES) licenses to contractors who work on solar PV systems. A contractor with an AES license may need to subcontract HVAC, plumbing or electrical work. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private accreditations. Two of the most respected are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, awarded by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Some companies don't publish this information online, so you should also ask your estimator about them.

Cost of Solar Panels in Alexandria

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels cost more than other options, but they generate the most power and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels provide a lower price point but produce less power. Thin-film panels work well for small projects like RVs and sheds, but they're not ideal for larger installations due to their low performance.

If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in dark weather, you can pay extra for add-ons. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more efficient and user-friendly. Not every solar company provides these optional components, so look for a company that sells them if it's a priority for you.

If you're a resident of Alexandria and are looking into a five-kilowatt solar energy system, you could expect to pay about $17,950 for materials and labor. Find more information on specific component and solar panel costs in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Alexandria

There are a plethora of ways to pay for a solar energy system, and the right one will minimize your overhead. A few of the most common options include leases, power purchase agreements (PPAs), cash payments, and loans. Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most cost-effective choice because it doesn't accrue interest and qualifies you for incentives. Solar loans are the runner-up option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for cost-saving solar incentives, and depending on your lender, you could put as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) enables you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, similar to an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the solar system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. We suggest working with an installer that offers multiple financing options. Talk to each salesperson about what's available, and acquire more than one estimate for the best odds of keeping within your budget.

The table below lists the average payback periods for different capacities of solar systems in Alexandria.

A 26% federal solar tax credit applies to new home solar systems purchased through 2032. Additional incentives may be available through city and state governments, usually in the form of rebates and special financing programs.