Best 5 Solar Companies in Mechanicsville, VA

Mechanicsville homeowners are lucky to live in ample sunlight, both to bask in and use for energy. Many are hiring top solar companies to get panels on their roofs. With all the options to choose from in this urban jungle, you might feel burnt out searching for a great contractor. In this article, we'll showcase Mechanicsville's best solar providers and offer suggestions for your company choice, so you can find the perfect one for your residence.

Ranking Methodology

We analyzed dozens of Mechanicsville solar providers, using the following criteria to select the superior:

• Educational approach: Solar technicians must be excellent teachers. They should utilize their years of experience answer your questions on how to maintain your system and optimize its performance.
• Reviews and feedback from customers: Most Mechanicsville solar providers have both positive and critical reviews. However, a good review ratio demonstrates a company's dependability and responsiveness to issues.
• Experience and professional licensure: Each contractor on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and stays up to date with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Mechanicsville community for more than a decade.
• Panel brands and quality: The top solar companies stay up-to-date with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Service offerings and warranties: Solar companies 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 satisfaction.

Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy has multiple advantages that will enhance your home for years to come.

• Better energy independence: Adding a battery storage system lets you have reliable energy during grid outages and storms.
• Reduced carbon footprint: The sun is one of the universe's most abundant clean energy sources, meaning you can reduce or eliminate your home's dependence on fossil fuels.
• Lowered energy bills: With solar energy systems, you generate power without paying the tacked-on costs of grid-tied power. You can eliminate your bills completely if you go off-grid. 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.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Mechanicsville Homeowners?

The state of Virginia offers numerous solar incentives to help offset your solar system costs. Check out a breakdown of eligible solar programs where you live.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Mechanicsville

Choosing a company is the first step toward a well-oiled and valuable solar system. Make your choice based on the following important considerations.

Licensing and Training

Since 2012, Virginia's 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 industry's most respected trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Mechanicsville

The style of solar panels you select decides how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels and high-quality and give you the best performance but cost more upfront. Polycrystalline panels work with a tried-and-true mechanism and cost less, but produce less power. Thin-film panels aren't the best for large residential installations, but they are excellent accessories for non-traditional roofs.

If you want to charge an electric car or use your solar power in cloudy weather, you can pay extra for accessories. By choosing the right components, you can make your system more efficient and convenient to use. Not all solar providers provide these optional components, so look for a company that installs them if it's crucial for you.

You can plan to spend about $17,950 on average for a five-kilowatt solar energy system in Mechanicsville. Check the table in this section to get an idea of how much Mechanicsville solar companies might quote for your specific solar system's price.

Financing Solar Energy in Mechanicsville

There are a plethora of ways to pay for new solar panels, and the right one will help you decrease overhead. A few of the most common options include cash payments, power purchase agreements (PPAs), loans, and leases. 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 second most effective option. As with a car or home loan, you'll pay a monthly rate towards system ownership, including interest. You can still apply for money-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) lets you pay a monthly rate determined by the energy you use, akin to an electric bill. We usually don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the panels and cannot use solar incentives. We suggest working with a company that offers multiple financing options. Ask each salesperson about what's available, and secure more than one estimate for the best odds of staying within your financial plan.

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

You are eligible for a 26% federal solar tax credit for new solar energy equipment until the year 2032. City and state officials and utility companies might also offer rebates, discounts, and specialized financing options that could save you more.

Sources

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