Best 5 Solar Companies in Manassas, VA

With Manassas' clear skies and little rainfall, it's a perfect area for homeowners and businesses seeking to harness the extra sunlight by purchasing panels from one of the best solar companies. With all the options to choose from in this urban jungle, you might feel swamped searching for an exceptional installer. On this page, we'll show you Manassas' top solar installers and share expert advice for your solar journey.

Ranking Methodology

Our team used the following criteria to assess the best Manassas solar companies.

• Panel quality and brand offerings: The premier solar companies keep up with new technology, providing equipment from cutting-edge and trustworthy manufacturers.
• Customer reviews and feedback: Most Manassas solar contractors have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio indicates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should tap into their years of experience address your questions on how to care for your system and improve its performance.
• Professional licensure and experience: Each provider on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have been a part of the Manassas community for a decade or longer.
• Warranty and service offerings: Solar installers should stand behind their products and services with warranties. We evaluated how each provider responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on timeliness and customer happiness.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Lower utility costs: Generating some or all of your own power will cut power costs long-term. Plus, some states offer net metering programs that allow you to sell your unused energy back to the grid, generating additional credits toward your energy bill.
• Better energy independence: Adding a battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during grid outages and storms.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Using clean solar power lowers your dependence on conventional, less environmentally-friendly sources.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Manassas Homeowners?

Governments and power companies often reward homeowners for switching to solar. Here are some of the rebates, tax credits or other programs you could qualify for.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Manassas

The more thorough your company investigation is, the better your photovoltaic system will ultimately work. Consider each of these elements in your contractor search.

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. Even if a contractor has an AES license, they may still need to subcontract plumbing, electrical or HVAC work. You should also visit a company's website to learn about its private certifications. Two of the most prestigious are the Solar Heating Installer and PV Installation Professional certificates, granted 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 Manassas

The style of solar panels you select decides how much energy you can generate. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and cost more but give you the best performance. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't recommended for large residential installations, but they are ideal for small projects like converting RVs and sheds.

If you need to charge an electric vehicle (EV) or use your solar power in inclement weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By selecting the right components, you can make your panel array more effective and user-friendly. Not every solar company includes these extras, so look for a contractor that installs them if it's crucial for you.

Generally speaking, it will cost about $17,950 for a five-kilowatt solar array in Manassas. This table displays more specific prices for different solar panel types and system components in your area.

Financing Solar Energy in Manassas

Solar contractors offer multiple different financing options to lower your costs and increase your savings. Though some providers offer unique payment plans, the most common are solar leases, solar loans, cash payments and power purchase agreements (PPAs). Most solar experts recommend a cash payment or using a solar loan. Cash payments demand a large up-front sum, but they save you from paying interest, grant you system ownership, and qualify you for cost-saving solar incentives. Solar loans have the same benefits, though you'll pay more in total due to interest and fees. Much like a home or auto loan, you'll pay a set monthly rate with as little as $0 down. Solar leases involve paying a set monthly rate to use rooftop panels. A PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) permits you to pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, as with an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two choices because you won't own the panels and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for installers that offer two or more 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 Manassas.

The IRS allows you to claim a 26% federal tax credit for solar panels on total system costs, so long as you purchase it before 2032. Local governments and utilities might also offer their own financing programs, rebates, and incentives that could save you more money.

Sources

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