Best Solar Companies in Richmond, Virginia

We’ve talked to dozens of Virginians who have already gone through the solar panel installation process. Here’s what Richmond residents should look out for when choosing a solar panel installation company. We’ll also touch on overall costs and ways to save with government incentives.

Solar panel costs in Richmond

A typical solar panel installation costs anywhere from $10,045 to $28,700 in Virginia. Prices in Richmond are comparable, ranging from $9,730 to $27,800.

This doesn’t include an energy storage battery, which sometimes costs as much as the panels: $7,000 to $18,000. A battery lets you store excess energy generated during the day and use it when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or during outages. It’s worth considering if your area gets frequent blackouts or if you don’t opt into Richmond’s net metering program.

System size is the other major solar cost factor. The average Richmond household needs a system with a capacity of 10.95 kW (kilowatt) to fully offset their electricity costs. Depending on how much energy you and your family use, you might need a smaller or larger one.

Average total solar installation costs by system size in Richmond

How can I pay for solar panels?

Getting solar panels is like buying a car. Most people pay cash, finance or lease. Similar to leasing, a power purchase agreement (PPA) lets you get the benefits of solar without actually owning the equipment.

• Solar loans work like any other type of loan. They have relatively low fixed interest rates. Once you pay it off, you own your system outright.
• Solar leases are a good option if you have limited savings and don’t want to take on debt. A potential downside to leasing is that you won’t be eligible for the federal solar tax credit.

» SOLAR PANELS: Lease vs. buy

Is solar worth it in Richmond?

Solar panels are generally worth it in Virginia if you like the idea of lowering your monthly utility bills. On average, Richmond homeowners with solar panels can avoid $60,802 in total utility costs over 25 years.

The main drawback is the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the panels and equipment. Assuming an upfront purchase, it takes about 10.5 years to break even (when your savings with solar panels make up for the cost).

Considering Virginia averages 3.5 to 4 peak sun hours each day, switching to solar is worth considering. We suggest using NREL’s PVWatts Calculator to estimate how much electricity a solar panel can produce over a year on your house. Project Sunroof is a reliable online solar savings estimator.

Potential roof problems

As a rule of thumb, if your roof is more than 10 years old, consider fixing it before going solar. Installing solar panels on an old roof might mean you have to remove the panels, replace your roof and then reinstall the panels. This is an expensive and frustrating process.

» SHOULD YOU: Replace your roof before going solar?

How to find a reputable solar company in Richmond

In our experience, the best solar companies in Virginia have a few things in common: lots of experience, reliable equipment and transparent contracts. Here are some hiring tips.

• Check certifications: You can confirm your contractor’s license through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. We also recommend choosing an installer certified through the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
• Read reviews: Avoid companies with recurring complaints about misleading sales tactics, equipment failures, billing issues and lack of communication.
• Ask questions: Do you need a solar storage battery, electric vehicle (EV) charger or critter guards? How does this affect overall pricing? What if your system needs maintenance? If you don’t understand something about the payment terms, warranty or ongoing services, ask for clarification.

» TIPS: Get the best solar quotes

Going solar in Henrico and Chesterfield counties

Think of going solar in terms of your monthly costs. Given rising energy costs, financing solar panels makes sense as long as your monthly loan payment is less than what you would be paying the utility company anyway.

» BEST STATES FOR SOLAR: Virginia ranked 22nd in 2024

Residential solar panel incentives in Richmond

The 30% federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is still the best incentive for most homeowners. It reduces your federal tax liability by 30% of how much it costs to install solar panels. You can combine the ITC with local solar incentives in Virginia to maximize savings.

For instance, Richmond's solar property tax exemption means that — for tax purposes — the addition of a solar energy system won't cause an increase in your property's assessed value. Essentially, your property tax bill won't go up because your solar panels increase your home’s market value.

The ConsumerAffairs Research Team used a research-backed, data-driven approach, which was informed by our expert editors, to choose the best solar companies. We prefer to recommend those with a longer time in business and a solid track record of reliability in Richmond, Virginia. For this guide, we objectively weighted several key features to get our final rankings:

Reviews, ratings and testimonials: 40%
We analyzed solar company reviews by verified solar customers to gauge real-world satisfaction. Companies with generally positive feedback on our site scored highest in this aspect. Those with the most 4- and 5-star reviews by verified Richmond customers were given preference.

Warranties: 20%
A long warranty is important — it shows that a company stands behind its products and services. We compared companies on both equipment and craftsmanship warranty terms. All of our top picks for professional installation have warranties or production guarantees of at least 10 to 25 years.

Equipment selection: 20%
We evaluated each company’s selection of solar panels, storage batteries and inverters. Those with proprietary technology or a wide equipment selection from trusted brands ranked highest.

Financing and payment options: 20%
We gave preference to companies that offer multiple payment and financing options for transparent terms and conditions.

ConsumerAffairs Research Team regularly evaluates customer reviews, company information and industry trends to update our top picks:

1. Blue Raven Solar
2. ION Solar
3. ShopSolar