Solar Systems & Energy Storage for your Home, Business, and Farm

Contact us for a free estimate.  
If interested in a system, we can provide free initial cost estimates and payback time-frames to determine if a Solar Photovoltaic System makes sense for you without having to take your time with a visit. Our system uses overhead imagery and your utility bill info to give you a very good initial estimate. Further electricity production estimates and financial projections will be offered following a site visit to your specific location. We make our designs based on careful analysis of orientation, size of space available for the solar panels, and current roof conditions (if a roof mount), using cutting-edge design software and financial modeling based on historical trends in electricity costs for this area.
Email:  [email protected]   Phone: 540-383-3623

Solar FAQ:

Once I have solar, will I always have electricity in my house, even when the power goes out? 

• Something most people aren't aware of is that your solar system is capable of producing electricity when the grid goes down, so in order to protect workers who are working to restore power to the grid - all solar systems have an immediate auto-shutoff that occurs as soon as the power to the grid goes down. This ensures that your system is not sending electricity back into the lines that service men and women are working on. 
• So even though you have solar, when the grid goes down, you will also not have electricity during that time, for this reason. 
• There is an additional (optional) controller that can be added to your system that would allow you to safely produce electricity only for your house and it prevents it from going out into the grid. Going further and adding battery backup would also enable this.

​Once I have solar, will my electric bill be $0 every month? 

• Sometimes. All utility companies (the main ones around here are SVEC, Dominion, and HEC) have a monthly service charge to stay connected to the grid - which is something that benefits you, like for instance when it's nighttime and your panels aren't producing, the grid supplies your electricity.
• So every month there is a service charge, and it's unique to the utility company you work with. Some months, like in winter, when you are using more and producing less, you will likely see that there is a small bill to pay during those months. But in summer months when you are producing more than you are using, you will likely see a $0 bill.

Is there much, if any, maintenance for solar systems? 

• There is very little maintenance required for solar systems. Primarily, doing a visual check several times a year to verify that there is no debris gathering around your panels or wiring is important, and clearing out anything that has gathered. At times dust may gather heavily on the panels, and if the rain doesn't seem to be clearing it off a gentle wash with an RV brush and water is all that's needed to ensure peak productivity. 
• But generally, other than ensuring that it stays connected to the internet (for monitoring), there really isn't much to do. 
• We partner with Enphase for microinverters and REC for panels because both brands have an extremely low rate of failure, which means that rarely do the parts need to be replaced. 

Do you take care of everything as far as installation?

• Yes, we will secure all the necessary permits, order the materials, and oversee the entire installation, inspection, and coordinate with the utilities and the local jurisdiction to ensure that all goes smoothly. 

When does it make sense to get batteries? 

• When choosing to get a solar system, a majority of the decision is around gaining energy independence, getting a return on your investment, and long-term savings. The decision to go with battery storage is more about if it's a desired or necessary feature that you want. 
• A solar system by itself does not power your house when the electricity goes out on the grid - this is because there are auto-shutoffs that have to be in place to keep utility line workers safe while they work to restore power to the grid (can't have your system sending electricity out into the grid while they are working on it). So one of the biggest benefits to having batteries is that you are able to store up extra energy and then use it during times when your panels aren't producing - like when the power goes out, or at nighttime (if you're completely off-grid). 
• You may also choose to do battery storage in lieu of buying a whole-house generator, or because you need to ensure that you always have power available due to medical needs or other reasons. 
• You can do batteries while being connected to the grid, or off-grid. But if you want to be off-grid completely, and want electricity at nighttime, you're going to need batteries. 
• Hopefully this helps you think through the decision somewhat, but we're here to answer more questions and talk through your unique situation and help you make the best decision when it comes to adding storage to your solar system or not. 

"The process of working with Green Hill Solar was extremely enjoyable to me because their work was comprehensive and convenient, with their knowledgeable firm packaging our ideas, and transforming it into a refined and installed solar design that fully replaced our grid electricity. While we knew we wanted renewable energy, the partnership with Green Hill Solar was able to design a system for our needs, order and install the system, and work through permit and installation issues with haste and skill. Green Hill also helped us understand costs and incentives."

Alleyn Harned
Co-Owner, Commercial Office Building
Harrisonburg, VA