Conserving energy, using battery storage and solar power and testing your energy capabilities can make a power outage easier to navigate.
Continue readingA Practical Guide to Battery Power During Outages – Winter 2026
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
Energy demands are rising, making solar even smarter
Two recent reports about the American energy grid and trends in usage are placing renewables front and center as solutions for future power needs.
The U.S. Department of Energy on December 20 released a new report showing how data centers are and will use big chunks of electricity supplies. As AI is woven through every sector of the technology industry, and is at work in our individual daily lives, the power needed to run computers is growing exponentially.
“The report estimates that data center load growth has tripled over the past decade and is projected to double or triple by 2028. U.S. electricity demand is projected to account for data center expansion and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications, domestic manufacturing growth, and electrification of different industries.”
“The report finds that data centers consumed about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity in 2023 and are expected to consume approximately 6.7 to 12% of total U.S. electricity by 2028. The report indicates that total data center electricity usage climbed from 58 TWh in 2014 to 176 TWh in 2023 and estimates an increase between 325 to 580 TWh by 2028,” the Department of Energy said.
How does solar fit into this enormous demand for power? In many ways, solar generating systems for homes and small businesses act as an insulating factor against heavier and heavier demands on the grid. Off-grid solar obviously escapes any and all pressures on the public electrical infrastructure. The solar power you make stays on your property, powering your home and maybe even charging your own battery system. Grid-tied solar still affords lots of energy independence, making a home or business less reliant on the supply (and prices) of the local power utility.
As individuals in our region are finding out, electrical upgrades are being made to the grid to supply more and more data centers. This work sometimes causes outages. In other areas, peak demand charges make electricity more expensive during times of day when the highest number of customers are drawing power.
That’s why renewable energy and innovative power sources are being harnessed to meet rapidly-growing power needs.
Meanwhile, end-of-the-year data reports put out by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) points to renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) moving into a bigger role in energy supplies. Renewable energy is now over 30% of total U.S. utility-scale (i.e., >1-MW) power generation capacity and could reach 37% by the end of 2027.
“Solar accounted for 79.3% of all new utility-scale generation placed into service in the first ten months of 2024. In October alone, solar comprised 91.8% of all new capacity added,” said analysts looking at the data reports.
Small-scale solar reportedly accounts for 27.9% of all solar generation and contributed 2% of U.S. electricity supply in the first 10 months of 2024.
What does this all mean for power users and solar futures?
mtvSolar’s Casey Feezle, Director of Business Development, has been involved in energy discussions around data centers and hyperscale power users, watching how they will impact the needs and options of everyday businesses and residents. He says there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding supply models, but solar energy truly is the smart choice now.
“In light of these uncertainties,” Casey says, “solar energy provides stability and control.”
Here’s how, he says:
1️⃣ Protects Against Rising Rates: Solar stabilizes your energy costs as utilities adapt to growing energy demands.
2️⃣ Leverages Current Incentives: Existing net metering and tax credits make solar financially advantageous—lock in benefits now.
3️⃣ Reduces Grid Dependence: Onsite generation shields you from potential cost increases tied to grid upgrades.
Anyone watching energy trends with worries about electric rates or grid stability would be smart to consider solar and what it can deliver, no matter what the future holds.
Choose well for solar success
Like many things in life, the longest part of the journey into solar energy can be just making the decision to do it. There can be pressure to jump into a solar panel and battery system on someone else’s timeframe — to take advantage of certain tax credits or fit into a company’s schedule. But the best outcome for your particular solar energy project is one that meets YOUR timeframe, budget and needs. Resist any pressure otherwise.
Choosing well is really key to long-term success. Most solar PV panels last longer than 30 years, so you and your family will savor the payout for a well-designed system that’s well-installed over the course of decades.
Unfortunately, there are more and more companies out there promising fast and free solar or unbelievable prices. Avoid any kind of high pressure, oversimplified “deals” with promises of zero cost. If there’s zero cost, there’s likely very little benefit to you. Also avoid providing your personal information on any platform online that’s not linked to a reputable company.
“Online forms that are not associated with an official business and request your name, address, or other personal data to ‘see if you qualify’ or make offers like ‘no more energy bills’ are another warning sign, as these forms can sometimes serve to generate leads for other businesses without your knowledge or consent,” warns the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Technologies Office.
Smart solar shopping tips included in this guide from the U.S. Department of Energy recommend talking to friends and neighbors who have had solar installed to see what company they used and if they’re satisfied with the results and service.
There are particular certifications a solar customer can check for a potential installer. Are their installation crews specifically trained on the products they sell, install and service? The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners is the top professional training and certification organization for renewable energy technologies. Does the company employ staff who are NABCEP certified? At mtvSolar, we know the value that brings.
Adding solar panels to a home roof, a garage, a barn, your business or a part of your property is an investment. For some, a panel and battery system comes in around the price of a pretty good vehicle. And just like shopping for a car, our customers want to know specifics about different features, performance potential, maintenance and lifespan. At mtvSolar, we have some of the smartest customers out there. They have questions just like you do. A good solar company will have smart, well-trained consultants that want to have those in-depth conversations about performance, financing and more before signing a contract.
Because we care about the future of solar energy and the environment, established solar installers like mtvSolar want solar energy to work well for people — even for people who aren’t our direct customers. The best solar is solar that works…solar panels that generate the expected numbers of kilowatts consistently over the life of a solar PV panel, and components that let the panels deliver power to the end user safely and seamlessly. That’s good for the customer, for their neighborhood, for the electric grid and beyond.
You might be new to solar, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But for the best results, we recommend working with a solar company that’s not new to the technology. You’ll reap the rewards of their experience.
Had solar for years & considering an upgrade? It’s probably not necessary
Solar technology has evolved and advanced since mtvSolar got into the renewable energy business in 2009. There are new components emerging all the time — inverters, optimizers, panels, batteries, mounting hardware and more. Does that mean the solar generating system that’s been on your roof, faithfully sending power to your home, is outdated? Most likely it’s not.
While panel efficiency has improved some over the years, a solar PV panel that’s been collecting rays on your roof for 10 years is probably doing its job just fine, and will continue to for another 15 or more years.
In a recent informational article, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office tells solar system owners to expect a long life for their panels: “While the average system’s power output diminishes slightly with time, most systems maintain at least 80% of their initial power output for at least 25 years.”
Solar panels are built to last, out in all sorts of weather. And they’ll keep working, especially if your system has a good monitoring component that alerts you to any problems and your solar installer stands behind their work, offering service for any snags.
As the Department of Energy notes, solar energy owners may find that their energy needs have changed over time, and they’d benefit from adding panels to a roof or ground-mounted array. As electric rates rise, homeowners often contact us to build out their solar systems, having seen their energy savings add up over years.
The other option for an established solar generation system is to add battery storage, which allows panel owners to manage their own usage more closely and reduce their reliance on the electric grid for more reliability and flexibility. In some locales, electric customers pay a premium for power they draw during “peak” times. A battery system working with solar panels provide the option for a homeowner to use their own stored solar power during that expensive “peak” time, then recharge or switch back to grid power during cheaper energy periods.
If having the newest, sleekest solar panels on your home is still a goal, several factors should be considered:
–The cost of labor to remove and replace the panels
–Replacement costs for components that will work together with any existing units
–Reduction in net metering revenue, if state laws have changed since your initial solar installation. Many locales have cut how much they pay solar owners for their excess energy in recent years. Replacement systems may trigger those new lower rates.
mtvSolar is happy to help customers make wise choices about possible upgrades and additions to their renewable energy system. We can assist in weighing your energy goals and budget, and finding ways to make the most of your energy savings for decades to come!
Just a sidenote: Because we love to share the solar, mtvSolar continues to donate used or excess solar PV panels to our community non-profit partners, boosting their ability to cut electricity costs and use their funds instead to support their service missions. If our customers upgrade their system and have working panels, we save them for this purpose.
Have questions about upgrading or boosting your renewable energy system? Get in touch and see what mtvSolar can do for you.
Storm-proof your summer with solar & battery power
Intense summer storms that bring heavy rain and high winds can be just as disruptive to the power grid as snowy winter blasts. And hot-weather power outages pose their own challenges — how do we keep cool without electricity? How do we preserve our food supply without power for our refrigerators and freezers? How do we keep water flowing from a residential well into a home without electricity for a pump?
In most areas, power outages during a summer storm can be brief. But the growing intensity and frequency of seasonal weather has energy experts making it clear that the U.S. power grid is under stress, making longer outages more likely and frequent. Their answer — build a more resilient source of power, including renewables.
“A resilient power system reduces the likelihood of long-duration outages over large service areas, limits the scope and impact of outages when they do occur, and rapidly restores power after an outage,” the U.S. Department of Energy says in a look at energy resilience. “Clean energy can help prevent electric grid disturbances and enable fast recovery after a disturbance. Using renewable energy resources—solar, water, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy—and enhanced power electronics gives us more ways to keep the power on or bring it back after an outage.”
But how does that help a homeowner now? The model is clear — having a source of renewable energy protects your power supply, bridges short power cuts and makes it possible to weather long power outages while supplying basic needs.
mtvSolar customers with solar panels and battery backup systems often don’t even know the power is out in their neighborhood because their lights stay on, refrigerators stay cold and cooling systems keep running during short outages. Their electrical monitoring will alert them, but otherwise life goes on as usual. For longer outages, the cycle of solar charging for battery systems is easily managed by customer controls that let them choose how to spend their solar-generated power. Customers have shared their stories of protecting valuable resources by having solar and batteries during a long electrical disruption.
Want to build your own power resilience for the summers and winters ahead? mtvSolar has the experience to design a system that is proven to work as you need it, for your particular power needs. Get in touch — we’re ready to walk you through your options and set up a site visit to get started.
Solar in the news: American-made renewables take center stage
Energy independence isn’t just for homeowners who want to own their own power sources. It’s a national movement, fueled by the desire to rebuild America’s energy supply-chain and bolster the country’s power infrastructure. Modern demands for electricity are growing, and the grid can’t always keep up with traditional sources of power. Advocates for domestic renewable energy have been on the forefront of the issue for decades, and the day for renewables appears to have arrived.
Homeowners and business owners can now leverage tax incentives that are in place to put American-made renewable energy components front and center. In areas of the country that are transitioning away from traditional fossil-fuel energy economies, those incentives are even bigger.
The U.S. Department of Energy is harnessing federal funds to encourage installers and customers to buy solar and other power parts that are Made in America. Not only that, there’s a strong push to build out America’s renewable energy section in all its facets — from manufacturing to new technology innovation and workforce training.
The federal Solar Energies Technology Office has crafted several solar-focused American Made Challenges that put cash on the line for new and effective technologies, ways of measuring renewable energy effectiveness and tools to integrate solar, wind and hydroelectric power with the existing power grid.
These efforts to ignite new thinking about renewable energy methods and solidify the market for American-made components will be shaping the energy sector for decades to come. Solar and energy storage technologies will keep getting better as more and more young minds focus their energy on our energy.
mtvSolar has been using American-made solar components since its founding and continues to partner with U.S. companies that make high-quality solar products with proven performance. Many of our customers specifically request American-made components and we are well-versed in the best choices to meet their energy needs and stay on budget.
A natural partnership: Staying local for clean energy
Berkeley Springs propane company Blue Flame has grown rapidly in the last 15 years, expanding their service area and investing in a new storefront and showroom along Valley Road. High demand for clean-burning propane for construction and residential use has driven Blue Flame to add storage capacity, widen their customer base and become the leading propane provider in the tri-county area.
The roots of the family-owned company are in Berkeley Springs and reach back into the 1970s. Initially owned by the Bohrer family, the company passed into the hands of the Haldeman family in 1994. Blue Flame is a key part of the local economy as an employer, service provider and community-minded company.
Heather Haldeman, Business Manager at Blue Flame, said when she started thinking about adding solar panels to the company offices, it only seemed natural to choose another Berkeley Springs business – mtvSolar – to be the propane company’s solar installer.
“We’re both in the energy business. I’d much rather work with a local company and have that nearby connection. If you have an issue, they’re right up the road and they’re very responsive,” Heather said of mtvSolar.
Being part of a move toward clean energy, Blue Flame decided on a next step to multiply their impact – adding solar panels to the roof of the company offices.
“We really looked at it – there’s a changing world and clean energy is on people’s minds,” said Heather. “It is a natural partnership to partner solar with propane.”
Working with Senior PV Consultant Jabari Baker, Heather decided to maximize the roof space and have 70 solar panels installed. The plan was to essentially “zero out” Blue Flame’s annual electrical consumption with solar energy. Once the solar panel system was activated and the panels started generating power, electric bills for the Valley Road office dropped to the basic commercial billing level.
“We save about $4,000 per year,” said Heather.
Taking advantage of Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) funding for small rural businesses helped offset the costs of the solar installation significantly. Blue Flame received a 30% REAP grant when planning the project in 2022. The funding level for REAP has since risen to 50% for eligible companies.
“With the REAP grant where it is now makes it even more feasible. If your business is highly electric-intensive, the more sense it makes,” said Heather.
Working with mtvSolar and Jabari Baker smoothed the process for Blue Flame to apply for and get the REAP funding, Heather said.
“They did a great job managing that process. It’s an extensive process,” she said.
Heather praised mtvSolar’s customer service, Baker and the company’s way of doing business.
“Jabari is great. I’d like to hire a couple of Jabaris,” Heather joked. “What I like about him is he’s calm throughout the process. If I had a question, he was willing to answer it without hurrying me to get past it.”
For the most part, Heather forgets that Blue Flame’s electrical supply is coming from the 70 panels on the company roof. But customers and passers-by take note of the sleek panels and mention the solar array.
“It’s very public and people notice it,” said Heather. For Blue Flame, the panels are now just part of their clean energy business.