Why a Qualified Solar Installer is key to your home’s Solar Power Success

The solar power industry is booming around the world, and the United States is no exception. As more and more homeowners look to solar energy to power their lives, the demand for qualified solar installers is skyrocketing.

But what exactly does it mean to be a qualified solar installer? And why is it so important to choose an installer with the right experience and qualifications?

In-depth training is essential for safety and efficiency in solar installations. Qualified installers have the knowledge and skills to properly install and maintain solar panels, ensuring that your system operates safely and efficiently for years to come.

Here are some of the benefits of choosing a qualified solar installer:

  • Safety: Solar installations involve working with electricity and heights. A qualified installer will have the training and experience to complete your installation safely and according to code.
  • Efficiency: A qualified installer will know how to properly size and design your solar system to meet your energy needs. They will also be familiar with the latest solar technologies and installation techniques, ensuring that your system is as efficient as possible.
  • Performance: A properly installed solar system can save you thousands of dollars on your electricity bills. A qualified installer will make sure that your system is installed correctly so that you can reap the full benefits of solar power.
  • Warranty: Most solar panels and equipment come with warranties. However, these warranties may be void if the system is not installed by a qualified professional.

When choosing a solar installer, be sure to ask about their qualifications and experience. 

Here at mtvSolar, we don’t just slap on solar panels. We’ve been installing solar and batteries since 2009, and we take immense pride in the quality and efficiency of our installations. 

We have certified installer status with the major solar and battery manufacturers whose components we install in your home and business, including SolarEdge, enPhase, Schneider and Tesla. That means our crews have gone through ongoing specialized training for those components particularly — how they fit together, work most efficiently and stay working for your top performance. This training makes us great at servicing a systems, too.

Our team is stacked with experts who have dedicated themselves to mastering the art and science of solar power. Many of us hold NABCEP and college certifications in relevant fields like electrical engineering or renewable energy.

But our commitment to excellence goes even further. We employ numerous NABCEP certified professionals. NABCEP stands for the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals, a highly respected organization that sets rigorous standards for solar installers.  Earning this certification requires passing comprehensive exams and demonstrating a deep understanding of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. It’s a mark of distinction that assures our customers they’re getting the best in the business.

This dedication to ongoing education and professional development isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about ensuring that every system we install is built to last, operates at peak performance, and delivers the maximum return on your investment.  We understand that your solar panels are a significant investment, and we take that responsibility seriously.

By choosing a qualified solar installer, you can ensure that your solar power system is installed safely, efficiently, and to meet your specific needs.

Habitat partnership in Va. makes solar part of affordable housing

Winchester Mayor David Smith with Kim Herbstritt, Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity

Winchester, Va. city officials and affordable housing advocates celebrated the start of a project this week to add solar panels to five newly-constructed Habitat for Humanity homes in the downtown area. Winchester Mayor David Smith said the renewable energy addition to the two-story homes is exactly what the city’s planners have in mind for the future. The Winchester Star reported on the gathering on Wednesday.

Kim Herbstritt of Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity welcomed visitors on Tuesday, March 19 to see the homes and watch mtvSolar installation crews work to prepare the solar installations. High winds on Tuesday kept the crews from attaching solar panels to the first of five homes, but the rails to hold the panels are installed and ready. Five panels will go on each home to start.

Homeowners are expected to reduce their energy bills to somewhere around $20 per month once the panels are connected and feeding their electric supply. More Habitat for Humanity homes in the Blue Ridge area will get solar panels in the near future, with mtvSolar as the trusted solar installation partner.

mtvSolar President Mike McKechnie talks as installation crews worked to prepare a roof for solar panels.

mtvSolar Mike McKechnie talked about the importance of making homes affordable for residents over the long term by fixing their energy costs. Installing solar panels essentially locks in electric costs, which normally rise steadily over the life of a home, Mike said. When mtvSolar began as a construction company, his crews donated their labor and time to help build Habitat for Humanity homes in the area. Mike McKechnie said 20 years later, mtvSolar is still an advocate for affordable housing and is excited by the movement toward more energy efficient homes. The company continues to support the mission of Habitat for Humanity through direct donations, community give-back partnerships and reduced-price work. mtvSolar customers can choose to give a panel to community projects like Habitat for Humanity when they purchase their own solar energy system.

Jeff Heie of GiveSolar, headquartered in Harrisonburg, said charitable donors have made it possible to add solar energy systems to Habitat for Humanity homes throughout Virginia, adding another level of sustainability both to affordable housing and the environment. Additional solar energy projects are in the planning stages.

Jeff Heie, GiveSolar

Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity to install solar on five Habitat homes

Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity, GiveSolar, Mountain View Solar, and Habitat for Humanity Virginia are partnering to install five solar systems on recently-completed Habitat for Humanity homes in Winchester, VA.

Media and the public are invited to a reception on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 1 to 2 p.m. for light refreshments and to observe
some of the installation. Reception location: corner of Chase St. and Elk St. in Winchester, VA.
Blue Ridge Habitat built the homes while families worked to complete their sweat equity prior to purchasing the home at an affordable mortgage. GiveSolar, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Virginia, is providing the funding for the solar systems. And mtvSolar will professionally install the systems.

This project will greatly reduce the energy burden of the families who live in them. Participating homeowners will pay a $20 monthly lease payment for 10 years and save between $50 and $70 per month on their electric bills as a result of having solar. Over the 25 to 30 year lifespan of the solar system, families with solar will save $20,000 to $25,000.

“Integrating solar panels on homes directly benefits communities by reducing individual carbon footprints, cutting energy expenses for homeowners, and contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable local environment. This sustainable choice not only empowers residents to lower their electricity bills but also fosters a sense of environmental responsibility, making solar energy a positive force for community well-being.”-Kim Herbstrit, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity.


Habitat homeowner Karen Burrough moved into her new home in March of 2023.

“I’ve been excited about this opportunity ever since I first heard about it before I moved into my new home. I’m thrilled that these solar panels will soon be installed and I will start saving money on my electric bill.”

Mike McKechnie, mtvSolar President

During this project, mtvSolar will install 12 solar panels and related equipment on each of the five participating homes. The solar energy generated by the panels will directly offset the electricity demand of each home. Any excess energy produced by the home’s solar components will be distributed on the local electricity grid and homeowners will receive credit for that energy on their bills. During the spring, summer, and fall months when solar generation is at its highest, homeowners who are prudent with their electricity usage could see an electric bill of less than $10.

Jeff Heie, Director of GiveSolar, said, “Habitat has recognized that affordable housing is about both making the purchase of a house affordable and making the ongoing operation of a home affordable. Solar is an excellent tool to minimize electricity bills while contributing to long term environmental solutions.”

“It’s one thing to get a family into a home, but making it more affordable for them to stay in that home over the long term by reducing their monthly costs is a long-lasting benefit that we’re proud to be part of,” said Mike McKechnie, president of mtvSolar.

Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity has built 89 homes in the past 26 years for working families. They complete critical home repairs, have an Aging in Place program to support seniors living on limited income, and operate the Winchester ReStore which generates funding through the generous support of donors and customers all working to support affordable housing in the region. They are proud to partner with GiveSolar and mtvSolar on this pilot project.

GiveSolar is a nonprofit social impact organization that aims to assist other non-profit organizations and homeowners with low income to gain access to solar energy through organizing community-based mutual aid. Since 2020, GiveSolar has been raising funds to help Habitat affiliates in Virginia to launch solar programs. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity Virginia, GiveSolar is supporting fifteen Habitat affiliates across the state as they offer solar to the families they serve. Funding for these solar systems comes from the American Institute of Architects, Just Pax Fund, Clean Virginia, and other private donors.

Founded in 2009, mtvSolar is the leading renewable energy partner for residential, commercial, non-profit and government solar and battery solutions in the quad-state area. The company has installed more than 30,000 solar panels in the last 15 years. mtvSolar continues to lead Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania through the professional installation of solar and battery systems to help customers meet their renewable energy goals and budgets. mtvSolar’s expertise and customer-focused approach has earned it industry awards from Tesla and other component manufacturers for high quality installation, service and
product feedback.

How Net Metering Can Eliminate Your Electric Bill

In today’s energy-driven world, soaring electricity costs have become a growing concern for homeowners and businesses alike. Fortunately, there exists a sustainable solution that can not only reduce your reliance on the traditional grid but also potentially eliminate your electric bill altogether – solar energy with net metering.

Lydian, an mtvSolar employee residing in Maryland, knows first-hand the transformative impact of solar power. With her solar system, she has achieved energy independence and financial savings that have surpassed her expectations. Her system paid for itself in a mere six years, thanks to the combined benefits of SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) income and avoided utility costs. Today, her solar panels generate a continuous stream of free electricity, making her residence a revenue-generating home.

The key to Lydian’s success lies in the synergy between solar power and net metering. Net metering essentially acts as an energy exchange program. When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home consumes, the excess energy is sent back to the grid, earning you credits. These credits can be used to offset future electricity bills, effectively reducing your overall energy expenses.

How Does Net Metering Work?

The process of net metering is straightforward. When your solar panels generate electricity, it first powers your home’s appliances and lights. Any excess energy is then sent back to the utility grid, where it is distributed to other customers.

The benefits of net metering extend beyond financial savings. Solar energy is a clean and renewable source of power, reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future. Solar panels can increase the value of your home and enhance its energy efficiency.

At the end of your billing cycle, your utility company compares the amount of energy you consumed from the grid to the amount of energy you generated and sent back. If you generated more energy than you consumed, you will receive a credit on your bill. This credit can be applied to future electricity bills, reducing your overall energy costs.

The Benefits of Net Metering

A Net-Zero Solar Powered Home Is Worth More With A Pearl Certification

Pearl Certification is one way to verify that a home is energy efficient in a variety of ways. Pearl Certification can increase the value of a solar-powered home. First, energy efficiency means that they will use less energy to heat and cool, which will save homeowners money on their utility bills. Second, Pearl Certified homes are healthier than non-certified homes. This is because they have better indoor air quality and fewer potential hazards. Third, Pearl Certified homes have better temperature control and humidity levels than traditional homes, making them more comfortable.

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Pearl Certification can also specifically increase the value of a solar-powered home. Pearl Certified homes are more likely to have a higher quality solar installation because it requires solar installers to be certified by Pearl themselves. Third, Pearl Certified homes are more likely to have a solar energy system that is well-maintained because one of the requirements is to follow specific maintenance guidelines to achieve certification.

Because of these considerations, Pearl Certified homes with solar panels can sell for up to 17% more than non-certified homes. This is a significant premium, and it can make a big difference in the amount of money that homeowners receive when they sell a residence..

mtvSolar is committed to empowering homeowners like Lydian to embrace the benefits of solar power. With its team of experienced professionals, we offer comprehensive solar energy solutions, from initial consultation and system design to installation and maintenance. Our expertise and dedication ensures that your solar journey is seamless and successful.

Heritage Homestead goes solar

Kathleen and Scott Miller

A unique homestead and home-based freeze-drying business in the Back Creek Valley of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia has woven together traditional living principles with modern solar technology to power up their journey toward sustainability and self-sufficiency. 

Heritage Homestead near Hedgesville is owned and run by Scott and Kathleen Miller, with help from Kathleen’s sister Mary Bowie, and extra hands from the Miller’s four children.

“We’ve partnered with Mountain View Solar to integrate solar energy with battery backup into our operations,” Scott said of the couple’s recent step into solar.

The system includes 60 Tesla solar panels – 40 ground mounted in a grazing field and 20 on the roof of the family’s farmhouse – plus a Tesla Gateway Switch.

“TheTesla Gateway Switch seamlessly allows our entire establishment to run on solar power with battery backup during outages,” said Scott. “During 25 grid down events, the system has provided us with 8 hours of uninterrupted power backup, ensuring continuity of operations.”

“When the power goes out, we don’t feel it,” Kathleen said.

Since the system went active in April of 2023, Heritage Homestead has generated 30.3 megawatts of power.

“With reduced dependency on traditional grid power, we’ve witnessed significant savings in our energy bills,” Scott said.

Those savings add up for the family and their burgeoning business, making and selling freeze-dried fruits, vegetables, cheesecake and ice cream. Products are sold via their website (https://www.heritagehomesteadwv.com/shop) and in regional specialty stores and markets, from Black Dog Coffee in Shenandoah Junction to Orr’s Farm Market in Martinsburg, the Wardensville Garden Market and J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works in Charleston, W.Va. Kathleen said in just two years, their freeze-dried product line is stocked in all West Virginia State Parks. 

The profits from that business “feed the farm,” said Kathleen. 

Going solar made sense for their electricity-intensive freeze-drying operation and their rural location, where power outages are a regular occurrence.

Kathleen Miller and her sister Mary Bowie with their freeze-dried ice cream.

“It was the next logical step,” said Kathleen.

Generating their own electricity from the sun on their small farm also aligns with the Miller’s priorities as a family, a homestead and a business.

“Our commitment to sustainable practices resonates with our customers, enhancing brand loyalty and trust in our products,” Scott said. “We’re proud to lead by example in our local community, inspiring others to adopt renewable energy solutions for a brighter, greener future.

“We want to encourage people to be more self-reliant,” said Kathleen. 

The couple said going solar has “lined up beautifully” and they generate roughly 86% of their electricity needs.

mtvSolar’s willingness to be creative in designing a system meant Heritage Homestead was able to balance solar panels and battery equipment to fit their budget and expected returns. That’s one reason the Millers recommend mtvSolar to folks who ask about their new solar array.

What’s next on the solar-powered family homestead? A greenhouse to extend their growing season, tending to the food forest that’s maturing in one of their fields and promoting the skills of homesteading for other people who are interested in embracing the lifestyle. There’s a lot to learn, as the farm teaches them every day.

How to fit solar into new home construction

Building a new home comes with hundreds of decisions, large and small. What’s the square footage? What material is the exterior? What’s the roofline look like? Throughout the process, homeowners have to pick bedroom sizes, window styles, flooring and appliances. One of the most basic decisions can have the biggest impact over the life of the structure – what will power the home?

Many of today’s new homes are all electric – an approach that takes fossil fuels out of the home energy landscape and creates energy savings. Indoor air quality and safety also benefit from the removal of various fuels from a residence. 

But what supplies the electricity? In most cases, a residential connection to the power grid is one of the first utilities to be brought to a house under construction. So what do you do if you want solar energy or battery storage to be part of your home energy supply? At what point in the construction process can those systems be brought into the planning and design?

Mike Studholme.

This blog will explore how you can bring solar into the early stages of planning your dream home to create a residence that can generate its own energy for the decades ahead. 

So when is the right time to bring solar into the construction conversation? As early as possible, says Mike Studholme, Senior PV and Battery Consultant with mtvSolar.

“Orientation is key. Make sure the roof is going to be oriented properly from the start,” said Studholme. How a new house will sit on the site, what kind of clearance the site has and the pitch of the roof all affect the viability of solar panel systems.

If a builder doesn’t offer a solar package among their services, ask if they have worked with a solar installer they trust. Well-established solar companies like mtvSolar have a track record of working with multiple contracting companies in an area, making the coordination of building and installation much smoother. 

And if a builder doesn’t have “a solar guy,” a homeowner can bring a solar company into the process themselves.

Solar + home batteries for EV charging works well.

“You can contact us directly and we can talk with your builder, do a design and give them a proposal they can build into the project costs,” said Studholme. 

Solar proposals for a brand new home can come from house plans, with a few added details – what appliances the homeowner expects to have and other electrical demands in the home like an EV charger, heated pool or hot tub.

“We can take a plan set and design a solar array. It can take place very early in the process,” said Mike.

Starting the solar conversation early in a construction project can pay off in multiple ways:

  • Ensuring the home and roof are oriented for maximum solar production
  • Adding solar costs to construction contract for integrated financing
  • Reducing extra costs by incorporating trenching and electrical work into initial build
  • Starting energy production and banking solar credits DURING construction
  • Streamlining permits

Getting a builder and a solar installer talking together with the homeowner early in the process helps everyone – whether solar panels will be part of the main construction process or will be added after the new home is complete. 

“Our production and sales team, builder and homeowner come together on a call where we all agree to a plan. We’ll coordinate with the builder as to when it’s the ideal time for us to come install,” Mike said.

Once the solar plan is in place, construction will follow its normal path, with a few minimal preparations for a future array. A designated “solar conduit chase” from the attic to the electrical room clears the path for solar connections after walls are closed in, for example.

Mike Studholme said as with all solar projects, mtvSolar works with each homeowner to design and install a system that will meet their needs best and fit into their energy budget. For a brand-new home, that personal approach extends to collaborating with contractors all along the way.

“We’re very experienced with how to coordinate with builders,” said Mike. “Communication along the way makes all the difference.”

If you’re wondering, could your dream home power itself? And your vehicles? With the right kind of building site, some forward planning and an experienced solar installer, the answer is likely a sunny Yes!

A system that paid for itself in one storm

Like most solar owners, John Snyder calculated how long it would take for his solar panel array and battery backup system to pay for itself from the initial upfront cost. That calculation prepared he and his wife for a 7-year return on investment. But their solar and battery payoff came much sooner than that. Their 45-panel, 10 kW system was installed by mtvSolar at their Summersville, W.Va. farm in 2011. In June of 2012, a freak derecho storm hit West Virginia, knocking out power to most of the state for 12 days in sweltering temperatures.

“The battery backup system paid for itself in that derecho,” said Snyder. He and his wife watched people lined up at gas stations trying to get gasoline to power their generators to keep refrigerators cool, fans running and supply electricity to essentials.

“We never lost power,” he said. Their solar and battery backup saved two freezers full of expensive meats and specialty products that would have been near impossible to replace. “It paid for itself in one storm,” Snyder said.

Shortly after, Super Storm Sandy knocked power out for another seven days. He and his wife never lost electricity.

Nearly a dozen years later, operating a rare breed chicken farm with multiple coops and pens, the Snyders have an even bigger solar array and slightly different battery backup, all paying for itself in self-generation.

For 10 months of the year, their electric bill is around $5.

Back when the couple started looking for a solar contractor, there were very few choices in West Virginia. He found a number for mtvSolar and called to see if the Berkeley Springs company would travel to Summersville, several hours away, to install a system. A salesman said yes, drove down to see their farm and talk about the possibilities.

Snyder said one thing in particular made an impression on him.

He and his wife had started thinking about a combination of solar panels and wind, thinking one of their fields would be a good candidate for a windmill. The mtvSolar salesman didn’t recommend it. The location would have required a 150-ft. mast and the equipment would have been expensive to repair if anything malfunctioned.

“He could have said, ‘Okay, we’ll sell it to you’ but he didn’t,” Snyder said. That honest approach impressed him, and kicked off a long customer relationship, including added solar panels and battery upgrades.

“We have recommended mtvSolar to anyone who’s looking at solar,” said Snyder.

Homegrown energy — solar farms in the spotlight

Utility-sized solar projects – from solar farms to community solar – are gaining traction in the Mid-Atlantic region. For some communities, there is still some wrangling at the local level about how to fit projects into their unique settings. Solar farms in Virginia have some counties concerned about their traditional farm legacies alongside larger-scale solar energy technology. Concerns have sometimes been fueled by misinformation about the impacts of ground-mount solar arrays on farms, crops, the power grid and even the weather itself.

Renewable energy advocates know that large fields of solar panels can be jarring for people who are used to seeing open fields, cows graze there or hay growing. But there is plenty of proof that agriculture and solar generation can work well together – boosting local energy production, lowering fossil fuel dependency and even raising farmers’ bottom line with lease revenue.

In counties that prize their farm heritage and the traditional look of their countryside dotted with barns and grain silos, some proposals for solar farms have met with opposition and even with changes in their zoning. Their argument — that solar panels will replace farm fields meant for crops and animals — doesn’t have to be the case and misses some of the big benefits of solar farms and agrivoltaics (solar and farming together on the same land).

Many projects in the Mid-Atlantic region are small solar farms to be a good fit for farmland. With careful planning to construct the ground-mount arrays responsibly, a farmer can harness the value of their land to create renewable energy and boost their farm revenue for decades, depending on their lease agreements.

One of the growing opportunities for placing solar farms is in areas that simply aren’t suitable for crop farming because of soil characteristics. Old strip mines, industrial lots, brownfields and degraded land can be ideal places for large arrays of solar panels, putting abandoned or problematic property to practical use.  

“Several independent estimates suggest the country could power itself with roughly the acreage currently dedicated to land most everyone would agree is already degraded. And up to 39 percent could be met by putting panels on roofs. ‘We have tremendous opportunity on rooftops, on parking lots, on other areas like that,’ says Garrett Nilsen, the deputy director for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office,” the NYTimes reported in a September 2022 article about the siting of solar farms.

All of these options will be needed to meet targets for shifting America’s energy policy toward renewables. As power demands continue to rise and the electric grid is stretched to meet that demand, solar farms will fill an important role — putting open land to use to generate electricity without polluting that land.

The U.S. Department of Energy is investing in studies to develop the best ways for solar farms and agriculture to work together, seeing the synergy between the two as a promising path for meeting America’s clean energy goals while supporting farms and farming communities.

Build the ultimate backup system

Be ready for anything.

The world’s full of uncertainties. From monster storms to surprise grid hacks, you deserve power on demand. Forget scrambling in the dark – mtvSolar builds ultimate backup systems, crafted for your peace of mind.

No outages, no worries:

  • Stay grid-connected: Enjoy solar power with seamless backup during dips and blackouts.
  • Go fully off-grid: Ditch the grid entirely and embrace independent energy freedom.
  • Fuel for all seasons: An auto-start propane generator can kick in when sunlight is limited and the batteries need a boost, only sipping fuel as needed.
  • Control without being online: We design systems that thrive even without internet reliance.
  • Tailored to you: We craft the perfect backup solution for your needs and budget.

Don’t wait for the lights to go out. Embrace your power today.

Get a free consultation and secure your bright future with Mountain View Solar.