15 Best Solar Companies in McLean, VA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 15 in McLean based on:
- Customer review scores
- Service area for McLean, VA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average McLean homeowner saves $1,437/year with solar panels
Updated February 01, 2024
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in McLean
Getting the right solar panel installation company for your home is a huge decision, but it's one that can pay off big in McLean. While solar panels are a large investment, you’ll be able to make that money back and then some, all while doing your part for the environment. In fact, you could look forward to saving about $17,000 over 20 years.
If you’re considering going solar, the first step you should take is to find the best solar companies in McLean and compare quotes. The great news is we did the hard work and made a list of the best solar companies to make it easier on you.Continue reading to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or get connected to a certified solar company near you right away by clicking the button below.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in McLean
Paradise Energy Solutions
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Maintenance
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Commercial Panels
Greenway home improvements
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
Sky NRG Solar Inc.
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
- Permit Assistance
American Solar Enterprises LLC
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Commercial Panels
- Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Solar Panel Upgrades
GreenBrilliance
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Maintenance
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
- Residential Panels
Advanced Solar
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Permit Assistance
- Commercial Panels
Free State Solar Co
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Residential Panels
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Maintenance
- Commercial Panels
Go Solar Virginia
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
EDGE Energy
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Energy Efficiency Audit
- Consultation
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Cleaning
- Commercial Panels
Caleb Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
- Financing Assistance
- Commercial Panels
Old Dominion Solar Panels
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Commercial Panels
- Residential Panels
- Skilled Repairs
- Maintenance
- Consultation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Sunlight-To-The Rescue, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Residential Panels
SunGaze Solar, L.L.C.
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Residential Panels
- Commercial Panels
- Permit Assistance
- Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Financing Assistance
- Battery Storage
Green Zone Solar Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
Glim Solar
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Solar Roof Assessment
- Financing Assistance
- Residential Panels
- Maintenance
- Consultation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in McLean
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in McLean based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in McLean
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Virginia solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in McLean
The cost of installing a solar panel system has gone down greatly over the past several years, but it’s still a substantial investment for most homeowners.There are a few factors you should take into consideration when trying to figure out how much it will cost and how much you can save, such as:
- Whether or not your roof gets a lot of direct sunlight: This, and your roof configuration, affects affect how much power your solar panels can generate.
- Your income and budget: This affects what type of solar panels you can afford.
- Energy consumption: Installing solar panels may be an expensive investment for families that don’t consume too much energy each month.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which gives you a tax credit currently worth 0 of your total installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that will help you save even more. Not including incentives, you can save an average of $17,000 over the first 20 years with your solar system, too.
There are several wonderful benefits of solar in spite of the upfront cost of installation. It can help the Earth and your bank account. In addition, it can raise the value of your home, leading to even more benefits if you choose to sell your home later.
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Solar Incentives in McLean
Because solar power is more sustainable than traditional energy sources, there are quite a few government incentives in place to encourage its adoption.You can qualify for the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) for the tax year you turn on your solar panels. You can also possibly pair the ITC with other state and city incentives. Our article on solar incentives has more in-depth information on the incentives you can benefit from in McLean.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in McLean
One of the best reasons to tap into solar energy is to minimize your dependence on traditional energy sources like burning fossil fuels, which are harmful for the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in McLean, though. No matter where you are, you can help save the environment by switching to solar energy, but homes that consume lots of energy will have an even bigger impact.In fact, if you install solar panels, you could expect to reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 60 pounds each year. Since solar energy is plentiful and makes electricity without releasing carbon emissions, installing solar panels is one easy step you can take to help the planet.
Best National Provider
SunPower
- Most efficient panels on the market
- National coverage
- Cradle to Cradle sustainability certification
- Great warranty coverage
- Expensive
- Customer service varies by local dealer
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries
Best Social Impact
Palmetto Solar
- Expansive service area
- Makes charitable contributions
- Certified B Corp
- No leases or PPAs
- Quality of installation may vary by location
EcoWatch's McLean, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar power company is the best in McLean?
In McLean, Paradise Energy Solutions is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 3.00 stars, so it's a solid choice if you're planning to add solar panels to your house.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Manufacturing solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be harmful for the environment, which is the main downside of solar panels.
Are solar panels worth it?
Solar panels can be a fruitful investment for most homeowners, but honestly, they might not be worth it for everyone. If your home doesn't get a lot of direct sunlight or your power bills are already reasonably low, solar panels might not be for you.
How much solar panel capacity do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is rated based on how much power they generate under standard testing conditions. Since each panel can typically produce about 250 to 400 watts per hour, the average household will need 20 to 35 panels.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.