Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Rooftop solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Portsmouth homes. Switching to solar energy can allow you to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. That’s why, after reviewing and analyzing providers, we put together a guide to the most reputable solar companies in Portsmouth. These companies consistently deliver high-quality service.
Informative resources
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
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:
Installing solar panels can lower your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When evaluating if a solar provider is right for you, consider these key factors.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. Since 2012, Virginia's Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has issued Alternative Energy Systems (AES) licenses to contractors installing solar PV systems. Even if a contractor has an AES license, they may still need to subcontract electrical, plumbing or HVAC work.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to find out what previous customers are saying about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s dependability and customer service. Be wary of companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Call at least three solar companies for free, itemized quotes. These quotes should describe all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps you find the best option that fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. The performance warranty ensures a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Solar energy is great for helping you lower electricity bills over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
Solar panel costs vary based on system capacity and the technology used. The typical Portsmouth solar array has a capacity of 7.3 kilowatts. Homeowners in the area can expect to pay around $3,590 per kilowatt; the average Portsmouth homeowners spends roughly $18,372 on a new solar system after accounting for federal tax breaks. (Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to lower upfront costs.) A personalized quote from a local solar installer will account for things like the capacity, panel type, and size of the planned system, and should include fees for permit fees, labor, and preliminary work.
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 heating system.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can raise your property values, save money, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your location and the kind of panels you plan to use. With the winter months in Virginia being very mild, you have significant leeway to install your panels, though they won't achieve peak performance until summer arrives.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny Portsmouth, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 12.7 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum.
Net metering is a type of "power purchase agreement." If your utility or state offers net metering, you can sell the solar energy you don't use to the grid. In return, they'll give you a credit on your power bill.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system will keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider and look for a solar system that includes a battery backup.
