Best 5 Solar Companies in Woodbridge, VA

With Woodbridge's clear skies and below-average rainfall, it's an excellent area for homeowners and businesses aiming to harness the extra sunlight by buying panels from one of the best solar companies. With all the options to choose from in this vibrant community, you might feel overwhelmed searching for an exceptional installer. In this article, we'll show you Woodbridge's best solar companies and offer tips for your company choice, so you can find the right one for your home.

Ranking Methodology

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

• Service offerings and warranties: Solar providers should stand behind their equipment and services with warranties. We evaluated how each contractor responds to issues and warranty claims, focusing on promptness and customer happiness.
• Certifications and credentials: Each contractor on our list meets state and city licensing requirements and keeps current with industry best practices. Many of them have served the Woodbridge community for over 15 years.
• Panel brands and quality: The top solar companies keep up with new technology, offering equipment from reliable, innovative manufacturers.
• Feedback and reviews from customers: Most Woodbridge solar companies have both favorable and unfavorable reviews. However, a good review ratio shows a company's reliability and responsiveness to issues.
• Educational approach and support: Solar technicians must be good teachers. They should use their years of experience address your questions on how to maintain your system and optimize its performance.

Benefits of Solar Energy

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

• Lowered energy bills: You can skip the expensive cost of grid-tied power by generating some electricity at home. Plus, many states offer net metering which can allow you to sell your unused energy back to help pay for your energy bill.
• Better energy independence: Solar energy can keep your home running through blackouts and emergencies, giving you additional security. You can use your solar energy anytime with optional battery backup.
• Reduced carbon footprint: Utilizing solar is a surefire way to decrease your carbon footprint and home fossil fuel dependency.

What Solar Incentives Are Available to Woodbridge Homeowners?

Virginia homeowners who upgrade to solar could qualify for special financing, tax credits, rebates and reimbursements. Here are just a few of the region's incentive offerings.

How To Choose the Best Solar Company in Woodbridge

The price and efficiency of solar panels often depend on the solar company that mounted them. Consider each of these aspects in your company search.

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. A contractor with an AES license may need to subcontract plumbing, HVAC or electrical work. Look for private accreditations from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), among the solar sector's most trusted trade groups. Its program includes certifications for both solar photovoltaic and water heating installers.

Cost of Solar Panels in Woodbridge

Your solar modules' style will impact how much power you can produce. Monocrystalline panels are among the highest quality and cost the most but perform the best. Polycrystalline panels generate less, but they're a great traditional option for low budgets. Thin-film panels are excellent for non-traditional roof shapes and cost the least, but don't work well for large residential installations.

You can also add battery backups and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. These will increase your total installation cost, but they can maximize your solar system's performance. Not every solar company includes these add-ons, so look for a contractor that sells them if it's essential for you.

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

Financing Solar Energy in Woodbridge

Solar companies use 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). Though it involves a large up-front payment, cash is the most affordable choice because it qualifies you for solar incentives and doesn't accrue interest. Solar loans are the next best option. As with a car loan or mortgage, 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) lets you pay a monthly rate based only on the energy you use, like an electric bill. We generally don’t recommend these two options because you won't own the solar system and are disqualified from using solar incentives. Look for installers that offer two or more payment plans to find the right fit for your financial needs.

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

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