If you plan on installing solar panels in Virginia, it’s essential to find an installer that’s familiar with your area and can help you navigate the process from start to finish. Choosing the best solar installation company in your state can help you avoid solar nightmares, like shady deals, deceptive sales tactics, poor craftsmanship, and other issues that plague the industry. Whether you live in Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, Winchester, Lexington, Strasburg, Luray, or anywhere in Western Virginia, keep reading to find the Shenandoah Valley solar installer that’s best for your needs.
What to Look for When Choosing a Solar Installer in Virginia
Not all Virginia solar companies offer the same services, warranties, or quality of workmanship. If you’re not sure how to tell the good from the bad, here are some factors to consider when shopping for a solar installer in the Shenandoah Valley:
Experience
Look for companies with a solid track record in your specific type of solar installation, whether it’s residential, agricultural, or commercial solar. If a company has installed thousands of residential home solar systems but has never installed one for a farm before, they’re not a good fit for your agricultural solar installation, no matter how impressive their residential solar installations are.
You also want to ensure the company you partner with has a dedicated solar maintenance & support team that can monitor your solar investment, conduct periodic system check-ups, and quickly mobilize to resolve issues and warranty work if needed. Many solar companies focus on installing systems and don’t employ dedicated service technicians.
Certifications
The best solar installers in Delmarva will hold relevant certifications, such as those from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). While it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker if your installer isn’t certified, it can weed out some of the lesser-qualified installers in your area.
Warranties
Reputable solar installers offer warranties on their workmanship, with some offering guarantees on system performance or energy output. Additionally, they will utilize equipment that comes with lengthy manufacturer warranties. Solar panels typically come with a 25-30 year production warranty, and inverters come with warranties ranging from 10 to 25 years.
Be wary of hidden solar warranty details, as these could take advantage of exclusions in the fine print—voiding your warranty and leaving you to foot the bill. Always read your warranty terms and conditions very carefully before signing a contract.
Financing
While most solar installers don’t handle financing directly, they often partner with third-party companies that help customers navigate loans, leases, or power purchase agreements (PPAs). Still, your solar representatives should be able to assist you with the financing process and clearly explain the pros and cons of each option.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews can make or break a company’s reputation, so they’re one of the best places to look when evaluating a solar installer. Sites like Energy Sage, Google Reviews, Better Business Bureau, and SolarReviews.com can offer an inside look at the best solar installers in the Shenandoah Valley—while also letting you know which companies to avoid.
Local Knowledge
An installer that’s familiar with your area will understand local permitting rules, electrical codes, and weather conditions, which can help avoid faulty installation. Solar requirements can vary by state or even by county, so when in doubt, it’s best to go with a local installer who knows the ins and outs of your town.
The 5 Best Solar Installers in the Shenandoah Valley
When researching the best solar installers in the Shenandoah Valley, we prioritized installers that offer both residential and commercial solar installation services, have positive consumer ratings on sites like Google and Solarreviews.com, and have an A- rating or higher with the Better Business Bureau. If you’re still in the beginning stages of your search for a solar company, here are some of the best Shenandoah solar installers to consider:
Cenvar Solar
Cenvar Solar has eight branch locations in Virginia: Lynchburg, Culpeper, Farmville, Roanoke, Richmond, Wytheville, Harrisonburg, and Charlottesville, making it one of the most accessible solar companies in the state. They’re also licensed in Tennessee and West Virginia, serving the entire Shenandoah Valley. Cenvar offers a variety of ways to save on solar, like deals for military and first responders, discounts for bundling solar installation with roof replacement, making them a great choice for budget-conscious buyers. Cenvar Solar:
- Offers residential, non-profit, agricultural, and commercial solar installation services
- Has 5.0 stars on Google at four of their locations and 4.9 at one location
- Has an A- rating with the Better Business Bureau
- Has 4.06 stars on Solar Reviews
Green Hill Solar
Green Hill Solar is one of the newer installers on our list, but has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best solar installers in the Shenandoah Valley. Although it has only one office location in Harrisonburg, its small size and concentrated efforts in Virginia make it an excellent option for customers who prioritize local expertise. Green Hill:
- Offers residential, commercial, agricultural, and energy storage services
- Partners with Park View Federal Credit Union to offer solar loans to customers
- Partners with Give Solar to provide affordable solar energy for people in need
- Has 5 stars on Google with 22 reviews
Paradise Energy Solutions
Paradise Energy Solutions is headquartered in Lancaster County, PA, and has seven branch offices across six states, including a local brand in Salisbury, MD, making it one of the most widespread solar installers on the Eastern Shore.
Instead of just offering a warranty for solar panels and installation, Paradise offers a Triple Ten Guarantee, which covers solar production for 10 years, production tracking for 10 years, and workmanship for 10 years, in addition to a 25- to 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on most products. Paradise Energy Solutions:
- Serves Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio
- Offers agricultural, residential, non-profit, and commercial solar installation
- Offers solar panel maintenance for grid-tied PV solar systems, solar battery systems, smart electrical panels, and EV chargers.
- Has a 5.0-star rating on Google with 36 reviews for their Virginia branch
- Has 4.86 stars on SolarReviews
- NABCEP-certified staff members
Tiger Solar
Tiger Solar, formerly known as Altenergy Solar, has been in business for over 20 years and operates out of four branch locations: Charlottesville, VA; Richmond, VA; Staunton, VA; and Grand Rapids, MI. Tiger offers NABCEP-certified technicians and partners with non-profits and credit unions to help customers in Virginia and Michigan get affordable financing. Tiger Solar:
- Offers residential, commercial, and agricultural solar installation services, including battery installations, EV charging, and more.
- Has 5.0 stars on Google Reviews with 76 reviews.
- Has an A+ with the Better Business Bureau and is BBB-accredited
- Has 5.0 stars on Energy Sage.
- Has 3.55 stars on SolarReviews.
- NABCEP-certified staff
Virtue Solar
Virtue Solar operates from a single office in Charlottesville, VA, giving it a prime location for Shenandoah Valley residents. They only serve the state of Virginia, and while it may not be as widespread as its competitors, it offers a wealth of helpful information with each solar assessment—like a 3D model of solar on your home, an in-depth shade analysis, a list of applicable solar incentives, and more. Virtue Solar:
- Offers residential, non-profit, and commercial solar installation, including battery solutions.
- Has 5.0 stars on Google with 69 reviews
- Has an A+ with the Better Business Bureau and is BBB-accredited
- Has 5.0 stars on Energy Sage.
Comparing the Best Solar Installers in the Shenandoah Valley
There’s a lot of information to pore over while searching for solar companies, so to give you a better idea of how the options stack up against each other, we put together this table as an overview of the best solar installers in the Shenandoah Valley:
| Company | Years in Business | Service Area | Certifications | Warranties |
| Cenvar Solar | 13 | TN, VA, WV | NABCEP | Solar Production: 3 Years Workmanship: 10 years |
| Green Hill Solar | 8 | VA | Unknown | Workmanship: 10 years |
| Paradise Energy Solutions | 16 | DE, MD, PA, OH, VA, WV, and NY | NABCEP | Solar Production: 10 years Workmanship: 10 years |
| Tiger Solar | 20 | VA, MI | NABCEP | Workmanship: 10 years |
| Virtue Solar | 10 | VA | NABCEP | Workmanship: 10 years |
Questions to Ask Virginia Solar Installers
Gathering as much information as possible before signing your contract can help prevent surprises and regrets later on. If you’re not sure what to ask when meeting with a solar installer, here is a checklist of some of the most essential questions in the solar industry:
1. What rebates, tax credits, or incentives apply in the Shenandoah Valley?
While all solar customers are eligible for federal investment tax credits, some may also be eligible for state-specific incentives. Your solar installer should be able to inform you of the options in the Shenandoah Valley and determine whether you qualify. You can also browse the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) to get a better idea of what’s available in your state.
2. What warranties do you offer?
Solar installers offer several types of solar panel warranties, including product warranties that cover repairs and replacements for solar panels and components, performance warranties that guarantee your system will meet a certain energy output threshold, and workmanship warranties that cover damage from faulty installation. Installers may not offer all three warranties, so be sure to ask which warranties they offer, verify the length of each warranty, and read the terms and conditions before signing a contract. Additionally, confirm who is responsible for the labor costs associated with resolving product warranty issues. Most product manufacturers do not cover these costs.
3. Will you perform a site visit before finalizing your quote?
Reputable solar installers will inspect your home or business in person, checking the size and condition of your roof, your sun exposure, and the age/capacity of your electrical system. While some installers may provide an initial quote before they come onsite, no price is firm until they conduct a site visit and assess the necessary upgrades required to make your property compatible with solar panels.
4. What will my system’s estimated output be?
Your solar installer should be able to tell you how much energy your new solar system will produce annually, how that compares to your current usage, and a rough estimate of your potential savings. Solar performance and efficiency determine your energy output, and in turn, your payback period and return on investment—so if they can’t (or won’t) give you an estimate, you should look elsewhere.
5. What is the total cost of the system, including equipment, labor, and permitting?
Before you sign a contract, you should expect a thorough, itemized proposal from your solar installer that clearly details the costs of your system. If your installer doesn’t give a breakdown of solar panel installation costs, be sure to ask for one. This transparency goes a long way toward avoiding any hidden solar costs or billing surprises in the future.
6. What Financing Options Do You Offer?
Ask about the available payment methods: cash purchase, loan, lease, or power purchase agreement (PPA). The best solar companies won’t suggest anything that’s not in your best interest, so be wary of any sales reps who don’t push you toward a financial decision that you’re uncomfortable with.
7. Can You Provide References or Reviews?
A trustworthy company should be willing and eager to provide you with customer references or point you to verified online reviews. If they decline, that’s a sign that their service may not be as impressive as they made it seem.
Next Steps for Hiring Your Solar Installer in the Shenandoah Valley
Once you’ve researched local solar installers in the Eastern Shore area, it’s best to learn as much as you can about the solar industry before getting quotes. Talk with sales reps about anything you’re unsure about —whether it’s solar tax credit changes, clarifying technical jargon, or your yearly energy usage —BEFORE you ask for a bottom-line price.
Then, when you’re ready, start getting quotes from at least three companies. Don’t say yes to any company until you have all the information in front of you and can compare the options. This gives you more leverage to negotiate and ask follow-up questions about the installation costs.
The Paradise Energy team would welcome the opportunity to be one of the solar companies you evaluate. If you’re ready to see what a solar investment from Paradise Energy could look like for you, use our solar price and savings estimator for a ballpark estimate for your installation. Then request your free custom quote to get exact numbers. Use the button below to get started.
