3 Best Solar Companies in West Virginia

The Main Types of Residential Solar Systems

The latest technology means there's a reliable, aesthetically-pleasing, and tailored source of clean power for any home. You now have three panel types to choose from, and your installer can help you choose based on your energy needs, budget, and home design.

Monocrystalline

In the very hot summers of West Virginia, you'll get the best results from monocrystalline panels. Each black-hued cell uses only one silicon crystal, meaning you can generate more energy with a small array. They're the most expensive of the three kinds due to their more complex manufacturing process, but you'll save more money due to their higher performance under pressure.

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline solar panels have navy blue cells made of multiple silicon fragments. Aside from their lower upfront cost, they have a less wasteful manufacturing process.

However, polycrystalline panels are less space-efficient than monocrystalline panels, so you'll need more space on your roof for a high-capacity array.

Thin-film

Thin-film solar panels use a variety of metal alloys instead of silicon crystals. Some homeowners pick them for their reduced weight or greater compatibility with unique roof shapes. Others select them for their superior heat resistance and low-light performance. Thin-film panels are a good choice for value in more "partly sunny" areas of West Virginia. They keep their efficiency as temperatures fluctuate and work with many different roof shapes.

However, they take up more space than monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels, and you may have better-performing options if your property has high solar viability.

Solar Purchase Options

Adopting solar power is a significant investment. Once you and your installer agree on which type and model of panels to use, you can select from a range of purchase options, like the following:

• Solar leases: If you choose a solar lease, you could pay as little as $0 down, then a variable amount per month based on how much electricity the panels would likely produce. Many leases, but not all, will automatically cover required maintenance to maximize efficiency. A lessee could also receive compensation for months when their panels don't meet a predicted efficiency benchmark. However, since the lease provider owns the panels, they can remove them if you sell your home. Your property's value won't increase with a lease, and you won't be able to take advantage of most state incentive programs.
• Power purchase agreements (PPAs): Under a power purchase agreement, your retailer will pay for your system upfront, then sell the power from your panels back to you. The cost per kilowatt you pay will frequently be less than what you'd pay your utility company. Before you sign a PPA, read the terms carefully and ask about what happens at the end of the contract. If you don't extend the agreement, transfer your system to a willing buyer, or buy the system from the contractor, they reserve the right to remove the panels.
• Solar financing: If you would prefer to own your solar panels faster, get some tax breaks, and take advantage of local incentives, consider a solar loan. New lenders who focus on home energy projects have emerged in the banking sector, and you could avoid paying a down payment or interest with the right lender. While taking out a solar loan will increase your upfront costs, you'll have better long-term savings.

Your final bill will factor in the cost of the panels, your installer's labor, subcontracted electrical, plumbing, and roofing work, and application fees if you choose to connect your panels to the grid. Each financing option will usually be all-inclusive.

Residential Solar Incentives and Cost Support

Those who purchase and install residential solar panels could receive financial incentives or other benefits from their local government or power company, such as:

• Tax credits: Tax credits or temporary exemptions for new solar equipment are common in many U.S. jurisdictions. Consult your state tax department's website for more detailed information on what is available and the forms you should file. No matter what, you should file Form 5695 on your federal returns to apply for a 30% credit on the value of your solar panels.
• Rebates: Rebates are direct incentives offered by utilities or manufacturers. The application process for a rebate will vary from program to program, but generally, your company will have to provide plans or receipts and prove that they're certified to work on your project. Sometimes, the contractor will receive the payment and give you a discount on their work. Other times, you'll receive the money as a direct payment or a credit on your power bill.
• Net metering: Many homeowners have solar panels that generate more electricity than their property needs. If you're enrolled in a net metering program, you'll transmit power you don't use back to the grid in exchange for credits on your energy bill. This saves you money and protects the security of the power grid for others in your area.
• Net billing: There's a national trend toward more utilities retiring net metering for net billing schemes. Fundamentally speaking, both systems work the same. However, with net billing, you sell the energy to your utility company instead of receiving credits for your excess solar generation. Compensation will usually be at a wholesale or avoided-cost rate, which is less than retail.

Solar Energy By the Numbers in West Virginia

Here's a brief look at the state of solar energy in West Virginia.

• Solar energy has enabled the creation of 340 jobs in West Virginia, with more added as companies grow and technology continues to improve.
• In West Virginia, the average new home solar array is rated for up to 10.4 kW and costs $27,376.
• Without solar, the average family spends about $1,770 a year on their electricity bill.
• A 5 kW solar installation in West Virginia has an average payback period of 12.2 years. However, you would also save $866.99 on your energy bill.
• West Virginia generates 10 MW of residential solar energy, serving 2,660 homes and growing.

Useful Resources

Check out these sources to go in-depth on solar policies, incentives, and viability in West Virginia:

• PVWatts: Tap into federal energy data and get an idea of your exact property's solar potential.
• Solar companies by city: You can find Today's Homeowner solar company recommendations specific to your city, including the following larger areas in your state:DATAPOINT_ERR_{top_live_cities(largest_cities, 5)}.
• DSIRE: You can use DSIRE to track solar incentive programs in your area, including solar thermal rebates, public policies in your state, solar photovoltaic incentives, and net metering or billing programs.