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.

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

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.

Energy storage will be key to future power stability

Extreme temperatures across the globe are putting extra strain on power grids, and energy analysts say storage could help balance struggling electric supply systems as the grid is modernized for today’s energy supplies and demand.

Very high heat in summer poses multiple challenges for energy grids. Air conditioning in individual homes, businesses and industrial facilities create a large and sudden draw on public power supplies, adding to normal daily demands. High temperatures also affect the power distribution system’s physical features. Power lines can sag in extreme heat, causing them to malfunction or pose a fire risk in dry landscapes. That same heat (or, in different seasons, extreme cold) can interrupt the delivery of fuel to power plants that generate electricity.

Blackouts and grid failures are now common risks, added to outages caused by natural disasters like hurricane, floods and wildfires. Modern households and businesses are heavily dependent on electricity for everything from cell phone charging to internet-based services to food storage, not to mention heating and cooling. A lot rides on a stable electrical supply, and energy experts say one key to stability is energy storage.

“As temperatures increase, grids will need to be more resilient, including storage to handle demand surges and supply disruptions,” energy experts report in a recent look at global power outages.

Storing grid energy, solar or wind energy in battery systems allows individuals and grids to ride out the surges in power demand more smoothly. Batteries can stockpile energy when demand is low — on a cool night when appliance use is idle — for use later, when demand for power is high, like during the hottest part of the hottest summer day. This is possible for individual homes, and works extremely well paired with solar panels. Many of our mtvSolar customers have enough panels to offset all of their daily electrical usage and charge up battery systems like the Tesla PowerWall for use during outages or brownouts. Other customers use battery systems alone, charging them from the grid to sustain their homes or businesses when power goes out.

Want to know more about batteries and how they can work with your energy system? Check out our “All about batteries” page. Get in touch with our team for individualized guidance backed by 15 years of experience.

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.

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.

Solar & batteries: A key to energy resilience during winter weather

As winter approaches, North America faces another season of power reliability challenges. Extreme weather events, such as ice storms and snowstorms, can knock out power grids, leaving millions of people without electricity for days or even weeks.

Solar and battery storage systems can provide a critical source of energy during winter weather events. Solar panels generate electricity even on cloudy days, and batteries can store that electricity for use when the grid goes down. This is especially important when temperatures are low and daylight hours are shorter.

Solar and batteries improve energy resilience during winter weather in a few ways:

  • Reduce reliance on natural gas. Natural gas is a major source of electricity generation in many parts of North America. But natural gas pipelines can freeze during extreme cold weather, cutting off the fuel supply to power plants. Solar and battery storage systems reduce reliance on natural gas by providing a reliable source of backup power.
  • Provide continuous power during outages. When the grid goes down, solar and battery storage systems can provide continuous power to homes and businesses. They can keep critical infrastructure up and running, such as hospitals, water treatment plants, and communication networks.
  • Extend the reach of the grid. Solar and battery storage systems can provide power to remote areas that aren’t reached by the traditional grid, improving energy access and resilience in underserved communities.

How solar and batteries work together

Solar panels generate electricity during the day, which can be used to power homes and businesses directly. Any excess electricity can be stored in batteries for use later. When the sun goes down or the grid goes down, batteries can provide backup power.

Solar and battery storage systems can be used to create a microgrid, which is a small, self-contained power system that can operate independently of the grid. Microgrids can be used to provide power to homes, businesses, and communities during emergencies.

Real-life ways that solar & batteries help

There are a number of examples of solar and battery storage systems being used to improve energy resilience during winter weather events. For example:

  • In Texas, a microgrid powered by solar and batteries provided power to a hospital during the February 2021 winter storm.
  • In New York, a solar and battery storage system at a grocery store provided power to the store and its surrounding neighborhood during a power outage.
  • In California, a microgrid powered by solar and batteries is being used to provide power to a community of low-income residents who are often affected by power outages.

Solar and batteries combined with a generator creates a hybrid power source

  • Batteries can store excess electricity generated by solar panels for use later. This can help to bridge the gap between when the sun goes down and when the generator is used to power homes and businesses.
  • With certain system designs, the generator can be used to top off the batteries when they are low. This can help to extend the life of the batteries, reduce the number of times that the generator needs to be used, and cut down on gas consumption.

By combining solar panels, batteries, and a generator, homeowners and businesses can create a hybrid power system that can provide reliable power even during winter weather events.

Solar and battery storage systems can play a critical role in improving energy resilience during winter weather events. By reducing reliance on natural gas, providing continuous power during outages, and extending the reach of the grid, solar and batteries can help to keep people and businesses safe and connected.