6 Best Solar Companies in Portsmouth, VA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Portsmouth based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Portsmouth, VA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Average Portsmouth homeowner saves $1,585/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Portsmouth
As a homeowner in Portsmouth, you may be interested in switching to solar energy and wondering about the best solar companies in your city. Solar could be a great choice since it comes with many benefits. Solar panels aren't just good for the Earth — your finances will benefit too. After switching to solar power, you can save an average of $19,000 over 20 years, and this doesn't even include incentives.
There are lots of installers to consider, but in this article, we’ll help you get a handle on all your options by recommending some of the best solar companies in Portsmouth.If you’re ready to start receiving free, no-obligation quotes from the best Portsmouth solar installers, you can click the button below to learn more.
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 Portsmouth
Solar Services, Inc.
Reliable Customer Support- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
Freedom Solar Power - Virginia Solar Panel Installers
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Tesla Powerwall
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Unlimited Solar
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
Gault Electric LLC
- Informative Resources
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Neptune City Solar Panels
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- Skilled Repairs
- System Decommissioning
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Big Boss Solar
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Portsmouth
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
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 Portsmouth
Solar panels are powered by a free energy source — the sun — but to take advantage of this you will need to pay to install your system.A few key factors that influence how much it will cost to install solar panels on your home and how much money you could save over time are:
- Incentives: The federal solar investment tax credit currently lets you lower your taxes by 0 of the project cost. Your state may also have various incentives that you can take advantage of. In addition, you can save about $19,000 over 20 years on your utility bills, before factoring in incentives.
- The kind of solar panel system you have the money for: This depends on your income and budget.
- average energy usage: The more electricity your home consumes on average and the larger your current power bills are, the more likely you'll benefit from going solar.
- The amount of sunlight your rooftop gets: Thanks to Portsmouth’s very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your energy bills.
So is a solar panel system worth it? Whether you’d like to decrease your electricity costs, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a solid investment for many Portsmouth homeowners.
Solar Savings Calculator for {{ solarcalc.name }}
Use the calculator below to get a sense of how much installing a solar panel system could impact the environment and your finances. You can also view our solar panel cost guide for Portsmouth, VA.
| {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} -year savings | {{ solarcalc.total_savings()|currency }} |
| Estimated cost | {{ solarcalc.array_cost() | currency }} |
| Estimated incentives | {{ solarcalc.incentive_savings() | currency }} |
| Payback period | {{ solarcalc.payback_period()|number:1 }} years |
| CO2 emissions prevented | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()|number:0 }} lbs |
| Miles driven equivalent | {{ solarcalc.CO2_total()/0.78|number:0 }} mi |
Switching to solar in {{ solarcalc.name }} can save you {{ solarcalc.total_savings() | currency }} over the course of {{ solarcalc.time_period|number:0 }} years.
Solar Incentives in Portsmouth
If you’re thinking about making the switch to solar power, a variety of government incentives and state programs can greatly reduce your project costs and speed up the return on your investment.Regardless of where you live, you can take advantage of the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which allows you to claim 0 of how much you paid for your solar installation on your tax return, lowering the amount of taxes you owe that year. In addition, there may be some state and city incentives that can save you some extra money too. For comprehensive information about incentives that apply to you, visit our article on solar incentives.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Portsmouth
Going solar can have a beneficial effect on the environment.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Portsmouth, though. Switching to solar power is an impactful choice for the environment, because the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation – all of which can be powered by solar instead.While making solar panels emits carbon dioxide, the panels make up for it by significantly decreasing the amount of CO2 you would have released if you still used traditional energy. In Portsmouth, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 60 pounds a year with solar panels. For homeowners who are concerned about the environment, the upfront cost of solar is a small price to pay for the offset carbon emissions.
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 Portsmouth, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar installation company is the best in Portsmouth?
The highest-rated local solar company in Portsmouth is Solar Services, Inc., with a rating of 4.70 stars.
What is the negative environmental impact of solar panel manufacturing?
Making solar panels needs to use chemicals and produces toxic waste that can be bad for the environment, which is the main negative thing about solar panels.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 12.7 years, but your solar payback period will vary depending on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What are the different types of solar panels?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more expensive. Polycrystalline panels cost less but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and desired energy output.
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.