Choosing the right solar installer in West Virginia can feel overwhelming. There are so many questions to answer before making the decision you can spend hours researching. That’s why we’ve simplified it for you.
Our guide highlights West Virginia’s top-rated solar companies, combining Resident Solar Power expert insights with feedback from locals who’ve made the switch.
No need to surf the web looking for information crumbs to have the big picture. Years in business, reviews from real customers, online reputation, panel brands, warranty, social media overview, and more – we have it all. The hard work is done to help you make the right decision.
We prioritize companies committed to long-term service and reliability. Here’s our list of West Virginia’s most trusted solar installers:
Revolt Energy review 4300 1st Ave, Nitro, WV 25143, United States
ARP Solar review 10131 Haga Ridge Road, Stewart OH, 45778
ARP Solar is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 4 states. With a read more…
Kokosing Solar review 762 W Union St, Athens, OH 45701
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Kokosing Solar read more…
Kokosing Solar review 762 W Union St, Athens, OH 45701, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Kokosing Solar read more…
Baseline Solar review 1711 North Main Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Baseline Solar read more…
Solar Connexion review Po Box 10095, Blacksburg VA, 24062
Solar Connexion is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. With a read more…
Blue Ridge Sun review P.O. Box 583, Max Meadows, Virginia 24360, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Blue Ridge read more…
Main Street Solar Energy review P.O. Box 221 Fincastle, VA 24090
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Main Street read more…
Cenvar Roofing & Solar review 2124 Loudon Ave NW, Roanoke, VA 24017, United States
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Cenvar Roofing read more…
Nerd Power review 1000 Taylor Station Rd, Columbus OH, 43230
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Nerd Power read more…
Feazel review 7895 Walton Pkwy, New Albany, OH 43054, United States
Feazel is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 5 states. With a foundation read more…
Blue Raven Solar review 2029 Riverside Dr, Columbus OH, 43221
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Blue Raven read more…
Ecohouse Solar review 4350 Equity Dr, Columbus, OH 43228
Our Expert Choice badge goes to Ecohouse Solar, which concentrates on serving fewer than 1 state. With a foundation dating read more…
Ecohouse Solar review 1809 OBrien Rd., Columbus OH, 43228
Our Expert Choice badge goes to Ecohouse Solar, which concentrates on serving fewer than 1 state. With a foundation dating read more…
Ohio Power Solutions review 3100 SR 187 London, OH 43140
Ohio Power Solutions is rewarded with our Expert Choice badge, serving an exclusive area of fewer than 1 state. With read more…
YellowLite review 36 Grace Dr, Powell OH, 43065
Our Expert Choice badge goes to YELLOWLITE, which concentrates on serving fewer than 7 states. With a foundation dating back read more…
Paradise Energy Solutions review 1931 S High St, Harrisonburg VA, 22801
Our Expert Choice badge goes to Paradise Energy Solutions, which concentrates on serving fewer than 8 states. With a foundation read more…
Earth Right Mid-Atlantic review 52 Beechwood Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Earth Right read more…
Cenvar Roofing & Solar review 493 Crowell Lane Lynchburg, VA 24502
With an overall third-party rating of 4+ and positive feedback across more than 10 reviews from different platforms, Cenvar Roofing read more…
Paradise Energy Solutions review 1890 S Main St, Harrisonburg VA, 22801
Our Expert Choice badge goes to Paradise Energy Solutions, which concentrates on serving fewer than 8 states. With a foundation read more…
The Real Cost of Going Solar in West Virginia
If you want to know how much it costs to install solar panels on your West Virginia home, a standard 5-kilowatt system will cost around $15,516 before any incentives are added. Prices for solar panels in the state range from $13,189 to $17,843, which comes out to around $3.10 per watt, including installation.
The ultimate price depends a lot on how large your system is. A small 3 kW system might cost you $9,310, whereas a larger 10 kW household solar panel installation could cost you $31,033 before incentives.
Based on the size of the system, here’s what you may anticipate to pay:
| System Size | Cost Before Incentives | Cost After Federal Tax Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | $9,310 | $6,517 |
| 4 kW | $12,413 | $8,689 |
| 5 kW | $15,516 | $10,861 |
| 6 kW | $18,620 | $13,034 |
| 7 kW | $21,723 | $15,206 |
| 8 kW | $24,826 | $17,378 |
| 9 kW | $27,929 | $19,551 |
| 10 kW | $31,033 | $21,723 |
| Pricing Disclaimer: The solar panel prices shown are estimates based on data collected from online sources as of October 2025. Actual costs may vary based on your location, system specifications, and installer. | ||
Getting a handle on how much solar panels cost helps you figure out what kind of savings you’re looking at down the road.
West Virginia Solar Incentives and Rebates
West Virginia doesn’t have its own state solar rebates or incentives at this point. The federal tax credit is really the main solar incentives package available to homeowners thinking about residential solar panels.
Federal Solar Tax Credit
Right now, the federal Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit cuts your solar panel cost by 30%. That covers everything—equipment, labor, permits, even sales tax. On a typical 5 kW system here in West Virginia, you’re looking at savings of around $4,575.
However, this tax credit won’t be around much longer. After December 31, 2025, it’s gone completely. President Trump signed legislation back in July 2025 that ended the residential solar tax credit almost ten years earlier than anyone expected.
You’ll need to buy your system outright or finance it with a solar loan to qualify. Leasing won’t qualify. Your federal tax bill needs to be high enough to use the credit, but if it’s not, you can roll whatever’s left over to next year.
Net Metering
Net metering lets you get credits for any extra solar energy your system sends back to the grid. Think of your utility company as basically holding onto that energy for you until you need it.
There have been some changes recently. If you’re installing solar panels in West Virginia with Monongahela Power or Potomac Edison starting January 1, 2025, you’ll get 9.3 cents per kilowatt-hour for excess solar credits. That’s less than what you pay for electricity from the grid. Anyone who got their system up and running before the end of 2024 gets to keep the better rates for 25 years. Appalachian Power customers aren’t dealing with this change yet.
Your credits pile up in kilowatt-hours and never expire, which works out nicely—you can build up a bank during summer and draw it down through winter.
One warning: there’s legislation floating around that might eliminate net metering for all utilities in West Virginia. If that happens, it would seriously affect how long it takes to recoup your investment.
Battery Storage Incentives
The state doesn’t offer specific incentives for batteries, but anything over 3 kilowatt-hours qualifies for that same 30% federal tax credit.
Specific Considerations for West Virginia
Solar Irradiance and Climate
West Virginia gets about 4.3 sun-hours daily on average. Rooftop solar could theoretically supply 23% of the state’s electricity if we maxed out at 6,300 megawatts of solar panels in West Virginia. The mountains and clouds mean we don’t get as much sun as, say, Arizona, but between federal incentives and net metering, solar still makes financial sense.
The climate here means four real seasons. Winters get cold, summers get warm. Snow can temporarily knock down your production in winter, but panels handle snow loads just fine, and most roof angles let snow slide right off.
Permitting and Interconnection
Permits and interconnection requirements vary depending on where you live and which utility serves your area. Most people deal with Appalachian Power, Monongahela Power, or Potomac Edison for hooking up to the grid.
You’ll need local building permits, which means electrical and structural inspections. The good news is your installer typically handles all the paperwork and coordinates with the building department to make sure everything meets code.
Before your system can start sending power back to the grid, you need a grid interconnection agreement. The utility reviews your system specs and installs the right metering equipment.
Federal Tax Credit Urgency
The elimination of the residential solar tax credit after 2025 has created a legitimate time crunch for West Virginia homeowners weighing their options. That 30% federal credit means thousands of dollars that just won’t be there for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
With installations taking 2-4 months typically, you need to start the process right now to get your system up and running before the deadline hits. The difference in the cost of solar panels in West Virginia between now and next year amounts to several thousand dollars straight out of your pocket.
Comparing Multiple Quotes
Solar is a big financial decision, so it makes sense to compare prices. You can evaluate brands of equipment, warranty coverage, financing terms, and who is actually conducting the installation by getting multiple quotes. Studies indicate that homeowners who seek several solar quotes frequently spend up to 20% less than those who choose the first company they speak to.
Choosing the Right System Size
Your ideal system depends on how much electricity you actually use, how much roof space you’ve got, your budget, and what you’re trying to accomplish. Pull a year’s worth of electric bills to see your usage patterns. Think about what might change—are you getting an electric vehicle? Planning an addition?
Most installers aim to cover 80-100% of your electricity needs. Net metering means you don’t need to worry about balancing production and consumption on a day-to-day basis. You can choose the best investment for you by knowing how much different sizes of solar panels cost.
Expectations for the Timeline
Schedule for Installation
In West Virginia, this is about how long each stage takes:
- First Meeting and Site Visit: 1–2 weeks after you first chat to solar companies.
- System Design and Proposal: They will need another week or two to come up with a unique design and funding options.
- Signing the Contract and Getting the Permits: It may take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks to get construction permits and utility forms, depending on where you live and what utility you use.
- Installation: 1–3 days, depending on how large your system is.
- Inspection and Interconnection: 2–4 weeks for final inspections and utility approval.
Total Timeline: From signing the contract to turning on the system, expect 2–4 months. With that December 31, 2025, tax credit deadline, you really need to get moving now if you want to qualify.
Permit Processing
Processing times vary quite a bit depending on which county or town you’re in. Rural areas sometimes move faster since they get fewer applications. Busier areas might take longer. An installer who knows your area inside and out can usually push things along more smoothly.
Most installers already factor in permit wait times when they plan your project, but surprises happen. Starting early gives you breathing room if you hit any snags and still want to secure that federal tax credit.
Are Solar Panels Worth It in West Virginia?
When you’re asking whether solar panels are worth it in West Virginia, the numbers tell a pretty clear story. Pay cash for your system and you’ll save something like $69,935 over 25 years on your electric bills. That factors in what the system costs upfront, the federal tax credit, current electricity rates, available incentives, and inflation.
Here’s what really determines how much solar panels are worth here:
- Electricity Costs: West Virginia’s electricity runs cheap compared to most of the country—about $0.062 per kilowatt-hour. Your monthly savings won’t be as dramatic as someone in California, but the federal tax credit and the long-term payoff still make it worthwhile.
- System Financing: Paying cash gives you the best return. Zero-down solar loans let you start saving right away if your loan payment comes in under your current electric bill, though you’ll give up some savings to interest.
- Net Metering Benefits: Banking those excess credits year-round adds real value, even though future policy changes could affect the deal for new customers.
- Property Value: Solar panels often make properties more valuable, which provides additional financial benefit beyond decreasing your electricity bill.
- Environmental Impact: Even if cost is a concern, solar panels on your home decrease your carbon emissions and make you less dependent on coal and gas power plants.
How Much Can Solar Panels Save Me in West Virginia?
Finding out how much you can save on solar in West Virginia is not a straightforward answer. It depends on several factors, including the solar billing of your utility company, the size of a potential solar system on your roof, and your household’s energy consumption. While most solar installers will try to cover all your electricity needs, the actual savings will depend on your home’s unique conditions. To get a personal estimate of how much you could potentially save by going solar, fill out a simple form on our website, use Google’s Project Sunroof solar savings calculator, or consult with a couple of local solar installation companies for a personalized savings calculation.
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Solar Financing Explained
You can pay for solar panels in a couple of ways:
- Cash
- Installer solar loans
- Personal loans
- Cash-out refinance or HELOC
- Solar Leases or Power Purchase Agreements (PPA)
First, there is a cash purchase, which in most cases provides the best price and long-term savings, but the upfront payment is not always what you can afford. If you want to own your solar panels and don’t have about $15,000 to $20,000 in the bank, you’ll have to choose solar panel financing.
You can consider a personal loan, a home equity line of credit, or a solar loan offered by the solar company. However, keep in mind that these loans come with interest and additional fees. Solar loans often are tied to dealer fees, which can increase the total cost of your solar system by 20% or more in exchange for a lower interest rate. To ensure you get the best possible deal, it is wise to compare the dealer fees and interest rates offered by different installers. This way, you can make an informed decision based on the most favorable terms available.
Some companies offer solar leases or PPAs that require zero upfront cost. But in such cases, you don’t own solar panels, and you are not eligible for any solar rebates or federal tax credit. And, because you have to pay the solar company monthly, your total solar savings will be lower. Ask for detailed savings calculations from a solar installer to decide on the best option. In most cases, you will still be paying less for electricity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How We Rank Solar Installers
Our main goal is to provide homeowners like you with top-rated solar companies you can trust. Our solar experts analyzed thousands of local and nationwide installers to get to the bottom of who is best in a specific location. The solar company ranking methodology is based on gathering input from homeowner surveys, consulting with industry experts, and extensive research into the solar energy market. Here are the things we believe are the most important to consider when choosing a solar company.
In short, here’s how we pick top installers:
– Company that has been in business for over five years as it indicates stability, reliability, and successful installations.
– Local solar companies over big national ones covering multiple areas as they can provide better personal attention and know more about the solar needs and regulations in their area.
– Companies with hands-on experience and a wealth of projects under their belt are more likely to deliver efficient and timely installations that cater to specific customer needs.
– Companies that handle their own installations instead of outsourcing to subcontractors ensure a higher caliber of work and nurture a culture of excellence and accountability in service.
– Select a company that has a good overall reputation and reviews on sites like SolarReviews, BBB, Google Maps, and Yelp.
– The company is licensed and insured and holds relevant certifications such as NABCEP certification.
– Companies that offer a wide selection of high-quality solar panels and related products and work with reputable brands.
– Companies that provide flexible financing options such as solar loans, leases, or power purchase agreements.
– Installers that provide substantial workmanship warranties and system performance guarantees.
Read more:
Our Methodology
What Made Us Choose Sources for Expert Score?
How We Classify Solar Installers: What Matters Most?
What to Look for In a Solar Company
To ensure that you partner with a great provider that can meet your needs of going solar, look for the following:
– Make sure the solar installer has industry-standard certifications, such as those from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), indicating that they meet the gold standard in renewable energy installations. Also, verify if they are licensed, bonded, and insured for residential solar projects in your area. If subcontractors are involved, check their credentials as well.
– Prioritize installers with a proven track record in solar installations, ideally with at least 5+ years of experience. Ask about the number of systems they’ve installed and their project portfolio. A competent installer should openly discuss the solar panels, inverters, and batteries they use if they help to take advantage of local solar incentives and rebates, as well as warranty coverage specifics.
– Your installer should be forthcoming about the installation process and answer any questions you might have, like “How many solar panels will I need? Why?”, “Can you give me a detailed cost breakdown based on my energy consumption?”, “What solar panel brands do you install? Why?”, etc… They should also be transparent about their use of subcontractors, detailing their roles and how their work will be supervised.
– A preliminary evaluation of your roof’s condition is the groundwork. The installer should advise on necessary repairs to ensure it’s ready for solar panel installation and clarify responsibilities for any potential roof damage during the process. Discuss aesthetic concerns, such as the placement of solar panels around roof vents or the possibility of relocating vents for a more visually appealing setup.
– Check the installer’s reputation through online reviews and testimonials. They should be able to connect you with past customers who are willing to share their experiences. Personal recommendations from friends or neighbors who’ve gone solar can also be invaluable.
– Solar installation costs can vary widely, so obtaining multiple quotes is advisable. Experienced installers will adjust their offers to your home’s specifics—size, energy needs, etc. For an objective cost comparison, calculate the price per watt of the proposed system, giving you a standardized basis to evaluate different quotes.
Should You Choose a Local Solar Installer or a Big National Company?
Always choose a local solar company over a big national corporation. Small local companies that operate in a distinct local area are better than multi-state and national solar companies and large corporations. It’s the small local companies who get the best reviews on our website, and it’s the national multistate companies who get very poor reviews. Why so, you may ask?
Solar is a local service business, for the most part, and it is extremely difficult to run a solar company and offer good customer service to many locations from a central office.
Local ones have a community connection, they know the incentives and regulations in the area better, and they simply care more about you than large businesses trying to get into your pocket and overprice you. While multi-state solar companies might try to convince you by financial stability and “quality of installations across different locations”, try to choose a local company that meets all your criteria.
What Does a Solar Installation Look Like?
Here’s how a solar system installation will look like once the design for your solar system is approved:
– First, a solar installer should estimate your energy needs, and analyze your annual and monthly electricity consumption, which you can find on utility bills measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Such calculations will help to understand potential savings, payback period, and the system size you need.
– A home energy audit is something every experienced solar company would do to understand the size and output needed.
– Next question on the list: are your house’s roof conditions good enough for installation? A solar installer should carefully inspect the roof and ensure its conditions and orientation are good to go, how and where to better place solar panels and wire the system.
– Next, they will design the system and show you how it’s going to look.
You will usually need a permit to install solar panels from your local authorities, and the solar provider should handle all the paperwork.
– The entire process might take up to 3 months depending on the state and local regulations, while the system installation is usually up to 3 days (might take longer depending on roof conditions and system complexity).
– The installation crew should always clean up and remove any debris, leaving your house in good condition.
– When the system is installed, it should be checked and approved by local municipality inspection.
– If you’re connecting your system to the grid, it has to be wired to your local utility system. You’ll apply for connection through your utility company, which will also want to inspect your system to ensure it’s following utility guidelines. Some installers may help you with this step, so always ask. Once you have all the permits, your system will be up and running, powering your home with solar.
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