Consistent quality solidifies mtvSolar’s spot on Top Solar Installer list

mtvSolar has once again distinguished itself as an established leader in high quality solar installations, building on a growing pipeline of solar projects for commercial and residential partners who are ready to step into the future of energy independence. We are one of just two West Virginia solar installers to rank on the 2026 Top Solar Installer list published in July by Solar Power World. The list ranks certified and reputable installers by the amount of solar power they’ve installed for the previous year. mtvSolar came in at #237 with 4,142.5 kW installed in 2025. The Berkeley Springs-based company has been on the Top Solar Installer list for all 15 years it has been published.

The highest-ranking solar installer on the 2026 list, Quanta Services of Texas, installed 6,113,906.5kW of solar in 2025. Because of the quantum growth of solar energy projects across the U.S., the top installers on the list are creating huge new power capacity – nearly 27 GW of new output! 

Altogether, there are 388 solar companies on the list, spanning Community Solar, Utility-level Solar, subcontractors, installers, developers and solar EPC companies. The U.S. solar industry has already surpassed 6 million individual installations and new power generation from solar overtook power generation from coal this past year. 

No longer an “alternative energy,” solar and accompanying battery storage are now mainstream power systems getting their due as reliable sources of energy that bolsters the legacy grid system.

“We keep finding new ways to boost solar’s impact in West Virginia and our quad-state region and that’s only going to accelerate as demand grows,” said mtvSolar President CEO Mike McKechnie. “We’re excited that solar is getting better all the time, that more and more people want it. We’ve grown with the industry over the last 17 years. Customers know we deliver high-quality installations, and that lets us continue our mission of bringing clean energy to West Virginia and our region.”

mtvSolar crews installing a new system on a Virginia public school.

While West Virginia has very few solar companies, Maryland continues to grow its solar industry, evidenced by the number of companies on the 2026 Top Solar Installer list. mtvSolar is growing its presence in Maryland as a residential installer, thanks to the state’s intentional promotion of renewable energy through local and state tax credits and grants. Pennsylvania is another state where mtvSolar is working and seeing the fruits of state-level support for solar, battery and renewable energy strategies. Virginia has already started adding momentum to their solar aspirations, some at individual county levels as in Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and some at the state level in new legislative support for agrivoltaics as a cutting-edge approach to blending farming and energy generation that’s more than the sum of the two parts. We are actively working with these leaders in green energy to help place solar in its central position for the future of energy generation.

mtvSolar’s established reputation as a highly-professional installer with uncompromising standards of quality workmanship keeps it on the list of Top Installers, year after year. We are one of the companies boasting more than 15 years of experience in the industry that make the Top Solar Installer list.

“Joining us with more than 15 years’ experience in solar and the construction trades are 226 companies on the 2026 Top Solar Contractors List — and another 55 can claim over a decade in the industry. That means over 72% of this year’s List has at least 10 years’ involvement in solar. That experience came in handy this past year, as everyone navigated policy headaches, tariff schedules and supply constraints. Only the strong and nimble survive, and the 2026 Top Solar Contractors List showcases the strongest names in solar development, construction and installation. Solar Power World is proud to celebrate those companies and share their stories here. We’re excited to continue celebrating the solar industry’s wins during this milestone year.”  said Solar Power World editors.

41,000 Miles Later: Dissecting a Perfect EV Battery Pack

by Lydian Miles-Monaghan, mtvSolar Director of Advanced Energy Storage

 

One of the biggest anxieties for prospective and current electric vehicle owners is battery degradation. We’ve all heard the horror stories or wondered, “How long until my range plummets?”

Today, we are doing a deep-dive technical teardown of a real-world data log from Lydie’s solar charged 2023 Hyundai Kona EV SEL with exactly 41,000 miles on the odometer. Looking closely at the raw telemetry data pulled from the vehicle’s Battery Management System (BMS), the results are nothing short of a masterclass in battery preservation.

This is the technical breakdown of what a perfectly maintained 64 kWh lithium-ion pack looks like after three years of daily driving.

The Dashboard vs. The Brains

When you look at the physical instrument cluster, the car reports a healthy 204 miles of range at a 76% State of Charge (SoC).

However, dashboard displays are tailored for human drivers. To see what’s actually happening under the hood, we have to look at the raw OBD2 telemetry logs.

There is a slight delta between what the car tells the driver and what the BMS sees internally:

    • Display SoC: 76%

    • BMS Raw SoC: 74%

This 2% difference represents a deliberate software buffer engineered by Hyundai. By masking the absolute top and bottom of the physical battery capacity, the car prevents the driver from inadvertently keeping the cells at a stressful, high-voltage state.

Vital Health Metrics: The 100% SoH Myth?

The standout metric from the vehicle’s diagnostic log is the State of Health (SoH): 100%.

How is a flawless health rating scientifically possible after 41,000 miles?

The answer lies in the pack’s gross-to-net capacity buffer. Over time, the physical cells do experience microscopic degradation. This is proven by the Minimum Deterioration metric, which clocks in at a tiny 0.2% on the most worn cell. However, because Hyundai includes a reserve capacity buffer, the usable energy capacity remains completely untouched. The car still behaves exactly as it did the day it rolled off the assembly line.

Cell Voltage Delta: Perfect Equilibrium

A pack is only as strong as its weakest cell. In the log, we scrolled through the live voltages of the 98 individual cells powering this Kona.

    • Maximum Cell Voltage: 3.92 V

    • Minimum Cell Voltage: 3.92 V

    • Cell Voltage Deviation: 0 V

A voltage deviation of exactly 0 V across 98 cells is spectacular. It indicates that the internal resistance across the modules is uniform, there are zero micro-shorts, and the active cell-balancing firmware is working flawlessly.

The Secret Sauce: AC vs. DC Charging Habits

Battery packs don’t just stay this healthy by accident. The lifetime telemetry data reveals the exact charging behavior that unlocked these pristine health numbers:

Charging Type Session Count Total Energy Accumulated
Standard Charging (AC Level 1/2) 1,583 4,547 kWh
Quick Charging (DC Fast Charging) 5 58 kWh

Analysis: Lydie has supplied 99.6% of the car’s lifetime energy through low-stress AC charging (on 100% solar power!!). DC fast charging forces a massive amount of current into the cells, creating localized heat zones and mechanical stress within the cell anodes. By reserving DC fast charging strictly for long road trips, this pack has been completely spared from thermal degradation cycles.

Thermal Management & Low Voltage Systems

Lithium-ion batteries prefer the same temperatures humans do. The liquid-cooling system in the Kona EV appears to be highly efficient, keeping the pack in its optimal zone:

    • Average Battery Module Temperature: 70.7°F

    • Temperature Spread: 1.8°F delta (Min: 69.8°F / Max: 71.6°F)

Meanwhile, the low-voltage systems are operating smoothly. The Low-Voltage DC-DC Converter (LDC) is outputting a strong 14.6 V at 21.88 A, ensuring the auxiliary 12V lead-acid battery (currently sitting at 82% SoC) remains perfectly maintained while the high-voltage system is engaged.

Real-World Efficiency Calculations

The instrument cluster highlights a stunning trip efficiency of 5.1 mi/kWh.

Even when calculating conservatively based on the current instrument cluster projection of 204 miles at 76%, the extrapolated full range sits at 268 miles. This comfortably clears the original factory EPA rating of 258 miles.

To see this efficiency in action, look no further than a recent real-world drive log captured here. During a 132-mile trip lasting 2 hours and 16 minutes, the vehicle consumed a microscopic 21 kWh of total energy. When you do the math, that translates to an astonishing 6.3 mi/kWh—an absolute masterclass in hypermiling. This elite-tier efficiency was unlocked by a combination of smooth driving, a disciplined right foot, virtually zero climate control draw (just 15 Wh), and effective regenerative braking, which recaptured 3 kWh of energy back into the pack over the course of the drive. When a vehicle is consistently driven with this level of precision, the battery pack undergoes significantly less total energy throughput and thermal stress over its lifespan. This real-world snapshot provides an operational blueprint for exactly how this Kona reached the 41,000-mile mark with its battery health completely unscathed.

The Future

Based on the raw battery telemetry, this 2023 Hyundai Kona EV SEL boasts an estimated operational lifespan easily exceeding 500,000 miles before hitting the industry-standard 80% State of Health retirement threshold. By mapping cumulative energy throughput against the 64 kWh pack capacity, the battery has completed a mere 75.7 Full Equivalent Cycles over 41,000 miles of driving. While modern liquid-cooled NMC battery packs are rated to endure 1,500 to 2,000 full cycles—theoretically pushing the ultimate mileage limit past 800,000 miles—natural chemical calendar aging will realistically cap the pack’s lifetime around 15 to 20 years. Ultimately, because the charging routine is heavily dominated by low-stress AC charging instead of degrading DC fast-charging spikes, this battery is on a flawless health trajectory and is mathematically poised to outlive the vehicle’s physical chassis and mechanical components.

The Verdict

This 2023 Kona EV is living proof that EV batteries are not disposable commodities destined to degrade rapidly. Through an ideal combination of built-in manufacturing buffers, efficient driving habits, and an exceptional AC-dominant charging routine, this battery pack has achieved a clean bill of health at 41,000 miles, with another 450,000+ projecte

Our hot take? Position yourself for the future of energy

A small West Virginia solar company with an active R&D shop, global energy expertise, deep industry connections, energy policy previews and cutting-edge tech training? 

It sounds unlikely, but that’s what’s going on behind the scenes at mtvSolar. 

Now, more than ever, our grasp of the changing tides of energy is rising to the top of our offerings to customers. We’re studying how an under-pressure grid is likely to impact electric rates and power availability, and what that means for customers today, 5 and 10 years from now. Your energy partner should be thinking ahead, and we are.

You’re wondering what home energy management of the future is going to look like. You need to plan your next addition or build-out with energy costs in mind. You’re curious how your home and EV can work together to offset rising electricity costs. These are conversations our consultants have every day – not just when a contract is being signed. 

Casey Feezle talks with customers about future solar expansion.

“Because of our knowledge of energy services offerings, from the traditional grid to emerging commercial and residential delivery systems, we have insight as to what’s coming in the energy sector,” shared Casey Feezle, mtvSolar’s Business Development Manager. “We share that so you can position yourself for the future – both short and long-term.”

That’s how mtvSolar has always done business.

What are some of those insights we’re sharing with those with an interest in renewable energy? 

Mike Studholme, Sales Manager, says one of the top tips is for homeowners to pursue their own energy independence now.

“The power companies are not prioritizing residential service. You should,” he said. 

The electrical grid is aging and has growing demands. Power customers may start seeing new kinds of charges on their bills – “time of use” charges that set a higher price for kilowatts used during high-demand periods, for example. Those fees and rate hikes are one way that electrical utilities remain solvent as the overall cost of power rises, from generation to delivery.

Battery systems are an increasingly popular add-on with solar. Batteries allow homeowners to store their own power, protecting against outages and offsetting high-demand power draws. They’re also essential to an energy budget that works for YOU.

An mtvSolar Franklin battery install.

“It’s an easy way to own your own power, control your costs and avoid being impacted by shortages or extra charges,” said Studholme. Not only that, there are new incentives on the horizon for homeowners that have battery energy storage. Power companies are recognizing them as a tool in the grid to manage the flow of energy demand, all the way down to your personal meter.

Another recommendation is for customers to “start small” with solar and energy storage if money is an obstacle. For example, a homeowner may dream of going “net zero” with solar panels – generating enough electricity to offset all of their power needs. But maybe that’s an investment you can’t make all at once. 

Studholme said installing some solar – even if it’s less than what you want ultimately – has multiple benefits. For one, it gets your system “grandfathered in” to existing net metering rules. Those rules will be changing in several states, reducing what a homeowner will get for each solar kilowatt they sell back to power companies. By installing solar now, property owners lock in today’s net metering rates for the future.

Most solar generation systems have SolarEdge inverters that allow a homeowner to add panels without having to add another inverter expense, meaning you can build out your system economically, step by step.

Despite the loss of residential tax credits for solar, PV panels will still deliver a return on investment – via reduced electric bills, increased home value and less reliance on traditional grid power. 

These are just some of the recommendations we’re sharing with folks who are weighing the leap into solar and home energy storage, and deciding how best to position themselves for tomorrow.

“Even if you’re not in a position to buy solar now, we can help you analyze your energy costs and demands, your options to reduce energy draw today and steps toward your ultimate energy goals, even if they’re further out on the horizon,” said Casey Feezle. 
To start a conversation about your energy goals today, learn more here: Free Estimate – Mountain View Solar

Power move: expanding your solar meets growing needs

One mtvSolar customer is getting to see the benefits of their recent solar expansion add up as 2025 comes to a close. The Shepherdstown, WV clients decided, after having solar on their home for five years, to add more panels to better meet their power needs.

The expansion project, which went live in March of 2025, took the home’s solar panel system from an 18.6 kW system to a 27.2 kW system. They previously had (2) existing SolarEdge 11400-watt inverters with one string available on each inverter. Our crews added 10 Silgab 430-watt modules on each inverter.

“In this case, expanding the system was pretty straight forward as they were only utilizing 2 out of 3 potential string inputs with the original system. We simply came along and added more panels on the available third string input,” explains PV Consultant Stuart Smith.

The clients also got the benefit of adding higher wattage panels than those in their original system. The payoff? It’s a pretty clear picture when looking at their production graph on their solar monitoring system.

Screenshot of solar production after a panel expansion.
mtvSolar PV Consultant Stuart Smith

For clients who are installing solar panels for the first time, it’s always a consideration whether they think they’ll want to expand that system at some time in the future. Our mtvSolar team asks that question and plans for it, when the answer is yes. For customers who have older systems, expansion is often possible, even if the original panels are no longer available. It depends on the component parts of the system, whether more modern components can be electrically compatible.

The key, in all cases, is looking at the home or business owner’s needs, Stuart emphasized. How much power do they use, how much power do they need today, and what are the future needs that could affect demand a few years down the road.

For example, a homeowner with enough solar panels to meet 100% of their household needs buys an EV, and their vehicle charging demands mean their panels only give them 80% of the electricity they now need for their household. The addition of any big electrical draw to a home — from an EV charging port to a heated pool to a new garage — could warrant a solar expansion.

Brighter blue panels show the expansion area for a solar customer.

Planning ahead for future expansion of solar is ideal, but any experienced and reputable solar installer can advise a property owner on if and how they can add more solar panels to an existing system. Whether on the roof or on a ground-mount system, more solar panels will deliver bigger power production over time, shoring up energy independence for a property and leveling out electricity costs over the long term.

Let’s make 2026 your year for solar

Take advantage of our Special Residential Incentive before the end of 2025

Changes in solar and green energy incentives have shifted our industry in a short period of time, pointing to a need for new ways of keeping solar within financial reach for customers. mtvSolar’s team has worked hard in recent weeks to create a 2026 Sales Incentive for residential customers in 2026, minimizing the impact of the 30% tax credit going away.  

We’ve met this challenge by studying ways to cut the cost of solar while keeping high quality components that will deliver for decades to come. Now, as of October 1, mtvSolar is pleased to be offering a 2026 Solar Incentive for customers in our area.

As we planned ahead for the loss of the 30% solar tax credit (ITC), the team at mtvSolar dug in to find pricing that could be comparable to what a system would cost customers with the tax credit in place. We know homeowners will get a return on their investment over the long-term, but we’re striving to help with the short-term costs as well. 

Here’s the deal:

We are offering special pricing for the first 50 clients who sign a contract and make a deposit by December 31, 2025.  The offer will apply to a roof-mounted system of 8kW or larger, installed on one or two roof planes and located within 1.5 hours of our Berkeley Springs, WV headquarters.  

Systems will be designed with a Tier 1 solar panel with panel-level optimized inverter technology. Clients can find even greater savings with our string inverter option. These are the same quality panels we generally install, with premium inverters.

By signing up committed customers by the end of the year, mtvSolar will be able to purchase these panels in bulk. That lets us pass the equipment savings onto customers.

“This is our attempt to offset the loss of the ITC and keep solar actively being installed in our region,” said Sales Manager Mike Studholme. “We realize the tax incentive is going away, so we’re trying everything we can to negate that loss,” Mike said.

He noted that customers in some locations like Maryland can still qualify for state or regional grants for new solar, giving this special pricing even more impact.

Grid electricity costs continue to rise in our region as demand spikes and supply lags behind. When homeowners choose to install solar panels to provide power for their homes, they essentially lock in the price of electricity. When the solar generation system is paid off, all the solar power generated after that is no-cost electricity. Solar panels can function well for up to 30 years, and the average payoff period for a system is seven years. That means more than 20 years of free electricity for a solar owner – a huge savings!

With mtvSolar’s 2026 Incentive program, customers who are ready to go solar can do so quickly and at a lower cost. The first 50 customers to qualify can expect to see installation in the later part of the first quarter of 2026, or the early second quarter of the year.

Are you ready to claim your solar spot for 2026? Request a free site evaluation online at  Free Estimate – Mountain View Solar or call us at 540-686-2052 or email sales@mtvsolar.com to connect with one of our Solar Consultants.

Proven expertise grabs mtvSolar rank on U.S. solar contractor list

mtvSolar is named a 2025 Top Solar Contractor 

July 23, 2025, Berkeley Springs, WV — The renewable energy industry is entering a tumultuous time, with deep federal cuts to programs that stoked astronomical growth over the past four years. Still, the solar industry broke record after record in 2024, the largest single year of new capacity added to the grid by any energy technology in over two decades mtvSolar (Mountain View Solar) is one of the companies that contributed to the milestone installation year and is recognized as a 2025 Top Solar Contractor by Solar Power World.

The Top Solar Contractors List is the most recognized annual listing of solar contractors in the United States. It is compiled annually by industry magazine Solar Power World to recognize the work of solar installers to decarbonize the grid and support home-grown, local energy. Companies on the Top Solar Contractors List are grouped and listed by specific service (developer, electrical subcontractor, EPC, installation subcontractor, installer, sales partner), market (commercial, community solar, residential, utility) and state by 2024 installed capacity (in kWDC). mtvSolar is ranked at No. 221 in the nation.

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0546.JPG

“At a time when the federal government is doing everything it can to cut solar power down, the gigawatts put up by our 2025 Top Solar Contractors emphasize just how crucial it is to our nation’s energy mix,” said Kelsey Misbrener, managing editor of Solar Power World. “From the smallest residential projects to the largest utility-scale solar farms, these installations are keeping the lights on and keeping power affordable. We’re thrilled to recognize another outstanding class of Top Solar Contractors, and look forward to persevering through legislative hurdles to celebrate our 15-year edition next year.”

The country installed nearly 50 GW of new solar capacity in 2024, with solar and storage accounting for 84% of all new electric generating capacity added to the grid. Companies on the Top Solar Contractors List are undoubtedly preparing for a tough hill on the solarcoaster, but the need for quick buildout of new energy resources is only going to grow. mtvSolar has already implemented new growth strategies to ensure their stability as the tax credit structure changes.

mtvSolar employs 45 workers who installed 4641 kW of solar power in 2024. Since its founding in 2009, the company has installed 37,656 kW of solar, guided customers through the installation of emerging energy storage systems and serviced solar energy systems installed by numerous companies.  For over 16 years, mtvSolar’s in-house team of experts has installed high-quality residential, commercial, municipal, agricultural, and utility systems across West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. 

Mike McKechnie

“We pride ourselves on our unparalleled quality, ensuring every installation is meticulously handled by our seasoned electricians, project managers, and service technicians. Committed to the communities where we live and work, we actively foster economic growth and a sustainable future through initiatives like our Community Giveback Program and a dedicated day of service on Cesar Chavez Day. We empower customers with reliable, affordable, and clean energy solutions,” said Founder and Visionary Mike McKechnie.

About Solar Power World 

Solar Power World is the leading online and print resource for news and information regarding solar installation, development and technology.

The math doesn’t lie — my solar in Maryland means savings

by Lydian Miles-Monaghan, mtvSolar Director of Advanced Energy Storage

Our extensive solar setup in Hagerstown, MD, has been a phenomenal investment. With a total of 28.94 kWDC PV capacity from 91 modules, split between ground and roof mounts installed in 2017 and 2019 respectively, the system completely paid for itself by October 2023. We effectively bank about 5 MWh each summer through Maryland’s net metering, which covers our winter usage.  Every spring, Potomac Edison cuts us a check.

This robust system, featuring twin 10kW SolarEdge inverters, Schneider XW systems, and eGauge monitoring, along with a formidable 125 kWh of battery storage (including my EV’s battery), has delivered substantial benefits. I’ve seen an extra $36,000 in my bank account since 2017, saved 324,784 lbs of CO2 emissions (the equivalent of 2,454 trees), and driven over 28,000 solar-powered miles in my EV. Power outages are a thing of the past, and I have absolutely no concerns about rising electric rates.

Our PV Spec:

24.14kWDC tied to twin 10k SolarEdge inverters

4.8kWDC is DC coupled to Schneider XW systems

91x Solar Modules, average 330w each

eGauge Circuit-Level Monitoring System

3x Schneider XW6848 Inverters – AC coupled together for power sharing

1x 20kWh DIY LFP battery

1x 5kWh Fortress LFP battery

1x 40kWh AGM Unigy II Battery

1x 60kWh battery in EV with 12v-48v DC converter for charging house batteries

Total 28.94kWDC PV Capacity.

Ground mount installed 2017, roof mount 2019.  The PV system paid off Oct 2023.  We bank approximately 5MWh each summer, and draw on it in winter via 1:1 net metering in Maryland.

Help save the Solar Tax Credit

We know that solar is important to you. Right now, Congress is considering a budget bill that would eliminate the existing Solar Tax Credit that has enabled just about every one of our customers to afford to design and install solar in their home, at their farm, for their small business and their commercial enterprises. 

Today we ask that you take a moment to ACT to keep this solar tax credit in place. Your voice can help those who want to go solar, add to their solar generation system or invest in some form of renewable energy. Please tell your elected federal representative how the Solar Tax Credit has helped YOU or your business, and urge them to keep this tax credit in place for the future.

Solar is now one of the largest contributors of new power to America’s energy supply. We know it works, and it benefits everyone — from individual homeowners to big manufacturers. The Solar Tax Credit is one of the main tools our company uses to make solar an accessible option for just about anyone. Please help us keep that tool in place.

Attached are sample letters you can customize for your federal representative. Or feel free to write one of your own. Any voice in support of the Solar Tax Credit helps! Thank you for your business in the past, and for your support for future sustainability.


Regards,

Your mtvSolar Team

Residential Solar Credit templateDownload
Commercial Solar Tax Credit templateDownload
Elected federal reps May 2025 (1)Download