Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Every year, more Lynchburg homeowners install rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Solar power can cut your energy costs and shrink your carbon footprint. However, it's important to hire a qualified solar installer. That’s why, after properly vetting providers, we put together a guide to the most reputable solar companies in Lynchburg. These companies offer high-quality service.
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Going solar can be a great way to save money on electricity costs and help the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using renewable energy. Here are some crucial factors to consider when determining whether a solar installer is trustworthy.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. Since 2012, the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has issued Alternative Energy Systems (AES) licenses to contractors installing solar photovoltaic systems. Even if a contractor has an AES license, they may still need to subcontract electrical, plumbing or HVAC work.
Check consumer review platforms like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and TrustPilot to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with installers that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. The quotes should list all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the option that best fits your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers installation issues, such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. A performance guarantee ensures a minimum energy output. Comprehensive guarantees show that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar panels can help lower your electricity costs long-term. When evaluating solar panel's cost and value, be sure to consider these considerations.
The cost of solar panels varies based on system capacity and the solar technology being used. The average solar system in Lynchburg has a capacity of 7.7 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $3,590 per kilowatt; the average Lynchburg homeowners spends about $19,420 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar provider will account for things like the panel type, capacity, and size of the planned system, and should include prices for preliminary work, permit fees, and labor.
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Deduction
Incentive Amount:
20% of the sales tax paid by an individual
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar PV, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and gain additional energy independence.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Lynchburg amount to $1,486.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Lynchburg, meaning your payback period could last 13.1 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. Many solar contractors in the Lynchburg area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your utility or state offers net metering, you can return the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Some frequently-used types of home solar panels in Lynchburg include polycrystalline, thin-film and monocrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while thin-film and polycrystalline panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Ask your local provider about which solar panels they work with.
