6 Best Solar Companies in Norfolk, VA (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 6 in Norfolk based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Norfolk, VA
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Norfolk homeowner saves $1,587/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Norfolk
When you’re on the hunt for the best solar companies in Norfolk, going through all the options can be overwhelming, but it can pay off since switching to solar power can offer so many good benefits. What's especially pushing a lot of readers toward going solar is their very high energy bills that continue to increase each year.
If you want to start making use of the many perks of solar, we can help you narrow down your options to find the Norfolk solar installer that’s right for you.To get an idea of what it would cost to install solar panels on your roof, you can click the button below to get a quote from a certified installer near you.
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
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 Norfolk
Solar Services, Inc.
Clear Pricing Policy- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Panel Installation- Skilled Repairs
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Freedom Solar Power - Virginia Solar Panel Installers
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Skilled Repairs
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Tesla Powerwall
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Financing Assistance
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Unlimited Solar
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Informative Resources
- Prompt Service Delivery
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
- Permit Assistance
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Gault Electric LLC
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Financing Assistance
- Skilled Repairs
Neptune City Solar Panels
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Consultation
- System Decommissioning
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Skilled Repairs
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
- Battery Storage
Big Boss Solar
- Informative Resources
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Panel Installation
- Financing Assistance
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Norfolk
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Norfolk 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 Norfolk
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 Norfolk
For most homeowners, the decision to invest in a solar energy system comes down to the cost.The installation cost is just one important factor you should consider when looking into getting solar panels. How much it'll cost and how much you can save depend on things including:
- Your income and budget: This determines what model of solar panels you can purchase.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Norfolk uses a lot of energy, and therefore may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
- The amount of sunlight your house gets: Due to Norfolk’s very high amount of average daily sunlight, you should be able to save a lot on your electric bills.
- How much you spend on energy: If your local energy rates are especially high, there's a good chance you'll have a higher return on your investment in solar panels. In Norfolk, you can save an average of $1,599 a month on your electricity bills.
So is installing solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to lower your electric bills, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a worthwhile investment for many Norfolk homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Norfolk
One of the good things about installing a solar panel system is earning government incentives.On top of the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some local benefits, which in most cases, stack with the federal incentive, so you get to 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 Norfolk
If you’re planning on adding solar panels to your home, one of the major reasons why may be to reduce your reliance on nonrenewable energy.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Norfolk, though. If your household consumes a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar power.After you go solar, your carbon dioxide emissions can be lowered by about 60 pounds every year. As you can see, investing in solar has so many other benefits outside of saving money. One of the most important ones is that you can help save the Earth too.
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
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 Norfolk, VA Solar Company Rankings FAQs
What is the best solar panel installer in Norfolk?
In Norfolk, Solar Services, Inc. is the most reputable local solar company. Our team of experts rates it 4.70 stars, so it's a great choice if you're looking to add solar panels to your house.
What are a few of the advantages and disadvantages of switching to solar?
The greatest advantages of solar power are that it can reduce or, in some cases, completely cut your electricity bills, improve your home’s value and reduce your carbon footprint. The biggest disadvantages are that solar panels can be pricey to install, you may not see as many savings if you don’t use a lot of electricity and whether you can install solar panels depends on your roof configuration.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
The average payback period for solar panel installation is about 12.7 years, but the exact period varies by the cost of electricity where you are, incentives and net metering programs.
What is solar panel capacity and how much do I need for my house?
Solar panel capacity is the amount of energy the panels can create under ideal conditions (a sunny day around noon). The average household needs between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
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.