6 Best Solar Companies in Charleston, WV (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Charleston based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Charleston, WV
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Charleston homeowner saves $1,403/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Charleston
When deciding on the best solar installers, Charleston homeowners have more options to choose from than ever before, which can be mind-boggling, but we’re here to make switching to solar power that much easier. One of the advantages of residing in Charleston is you have access to many of the best solar panels and services in the nation.
Here, we’ll make a list of some of the top solar companies in Charleston to make your decision much easier.To get free quotes from the best solar companies in Charleston, click the "get quote" button below.
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Charleston
Revolt Energy
Free Quotes- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
Baseline Solar Solutions
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
Cenvar Solar - New River Valley
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
Main Street Solar Energy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Panel Installation
- Grid-Tied Solar System
Cenvar Solar - Roanoke
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Financing Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Magic City Solar Co
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- System Decommissioning
- Panel Installation
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Consultation
- Battery Storage
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Charleston
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Charleston 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 Charleston
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for West 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 Charleston
For most homeowners, whether or not to invest in a solar energy system comes down to the cost.There are quite a few factors you should consider when trying to figure out costs and your potential savings, including:
- The type of solar panels you’re planning on getting: More high-tech panels are more highly priced, so that will influence your budget for your solar project.
- How much sunlight your roof gets: If your roof gets limited direct sunlight, your solar panels won’t be able to make as much energy, which will leave you with lower savings on energy bills than someone with a roof that gets plenty of sunlight.
- How much power your household consumes: Households that consume a lot of power each month may need more solar panels and, as a result, be more expensive, but will also benefit more over time.
- Incentives: Along with the federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which lets you receive a tax credit curretnly worth 0 of your overall installation cost, your state or local government may offer additional tax exemptions, credits or rebates that can help you save even more. Excluding incentives, you can save an average of $17,000 over 20 years with your system, too.
Because of the cost of solar panels being lower than before as well as local and federal solar incentives, they are a sound investment for the majority of homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Charleston
Switching to solar power has plenty of considerable benefits. Not only can it help preserve the planet, but you can also save a good amount of money on your installation with various government incentives.On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local incentives, which in almost all cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you can save even more. You can learn about the incentives you can take advantage of in our article on solar incentives
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Charleston
Many want to do their part for the environment, which in many cases is the primary motivation to install a solar system.A question many might be thinking about is how much can they really help the environment by going solar anyway? One thing you should consider is your overall carbon footprint. For example, if you spend lots of time commuting to work and have an electric vehicle, you can use solar energy for your home to power your EV and therefore help offset your carbon emissions.Even though solar panel manufacturing releases carbon dioxide emissions, the panels make up for it by significantly reducing the amount of CO2 you would have produced if you still used traditional energy. In Charleston, you can reduce your carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year with solar panels. Since solar power is renewable and produces electricity without CO2 emissions, adding solar panels to your home is one easy step you can take to help preserve the planet.
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Charleston, WV Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar company in Charleston?
In Charleston, Revolt Energy is the best local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 5.00 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your home.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar power?
The main advantages of solar power are that it can decrease or, for some, entirely erase your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and cut back on your carbon footprint. The disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not save a lot if you don’t use a lot of electricity and it doesn’t work for all roof types and locations.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels typically pay for themselves in about 13.5 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The more your typical power bill, the faster your solar panel system will pay for itself.
How long do solar panels last?
On average, the lifespan of solar panels is about 25 to 30 years. Some even last up to 50 years, but efficiency goes down by about 0.8% each year. You can choose to replace them sooner if you want to maintain a larger amount of energy production.
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.