Best 5 Solar Companies in Ashburn, VA

With Ashburn's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's a perfect area for families and businesses hoping to harness the added sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar installers. While switching to solar energy comes with upfront costs, local homeowners could ultimately save $900 per kilowatt on their electric bills. A professional technician can help you select the best panels to maximize your savings. In this guide, we'll highlight Ashburn's best solar companies and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the ideal one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

We assessed a multitude of Ashburn solar companies, using the following criteria to select the best:

• Warranty and service offerings: Solar contractors should stand behind their systems and services with warranties. We evaluated how each company responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer satisfaction.
• Certifications and credentials: Each provider on our list complies with state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Ashburn community for a decade or longer.
• Educational programs and business model: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to look after your system and maximize its performance.
• Panel quality and brand offerings: The premier solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Ashburn solar contractors have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy offers numerous advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Better energy independence: Adding a battery backup or storage system lets you have dependable energy during grid outages and storms.
• Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you produce power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-connected power. Going off-grid can eliminate your bills completely. Plus, a significant amount of states have adopted net metering, which permit you to earn money by selling your unused energy back to the grid.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Solar is one of the universe's most abundant clean energy sources, meaning you can reduce or eliminate your home's dependence on non-renewable sources.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Ashburn Homeowners?

Virginia agencies and electric companies offer multiple solar incentives to help reduce your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of relevant solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Ashburn

The more thorough your company research is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately operate. Consider each of these criteria in your contractor search.

Licensing and Training

Since 2012, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has issued Alternative Energy Systems (AES) licenses to contractors installing solar photovoltaic systems. Even if a contractor has an AES license, they may still need to subcontract electrical, HVAC or plumbing work. Check a company's website for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), one of the solar sector's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Ashburn

Different solar panel types look and perform differently. Monocrystalline panels offer the best energy production but cost more than other options and generally have the highest quality. Polycrystalline panels produce less power, but start at a more budget-friendly price point. 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 want to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your system more productive and convenient to use. Not every solar provider provides these extras, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's important for you.

A majority of Ashburn homeowners choose solar systems rated for five kilowatts (kW) of electrical capacity. These systems cost about $17,950 to set up, considering both materials and labor. You can find more specific solar cost information in the table.

Financing Solar Energy in Ashburn

Choosing the ideal financing option will influence your overall solar system cost and possible savings. Common payment options include cash payments, power purchase agreements, loans, and leases. We advise paying with cash or using a solar loan for the best return on investment (ROI). Cash payments require a hefty sum up-front, but you’ll pay the least long-term by avoiding interest. You’ll also own your system and can apply for solar panel incentives to cut your total costs. Solar loans are another solid option if you don’t want to make a big initial investment. You can pay for your system in installments while still benefiting from energy bill savings and solar incentives. However, you’ll pay more in total due to accruing interest. Solar leases allow you to pay a monthly rate to rent your panels, while a power purchase agreement lets you pay a variable rate based on only the energy you use. We generally don't recommend these options since you will not have ownership of your system and are disqualified from solar incentives, but they might be appropriate in particular circumstances. Look for providers that offer multiple payment plans to find the right fit for your budget.

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

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

Sources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• U.S. Department of Energy