Main Street Solar

Exceeded Our Expectations

Laura, Andrew and the rest of the team taught me about solar and installed a system that gave us 100% of our needs. It's been installed for about 6 months and so far has provided 100% of our electricity, including our two electric vehicles. The power company charges us $8.86 per month. It used to be $250.00 - $350.00 per month. We are ecstatic!

Enphase System

Great experience from pre-sales thru delivery and commissioning. I just put on a new metal roof so I was pretty picky about who I let put the Solar Panel System in since the two should last nearly three decades if done correctly. My system is 46 Canadian 395s with all Enphase inverters, electronics and battery. Everything has been in and working a couple weeks now and seems to be operating as promised. Having been in construction [ Low Voltage and Comms ] most of my life, I think I'm pretty good at spotting quality work and The Brenner family that own and operate Main St Solar really seem to take pride in their work. I would recommend them to anyone looking for Solar.

It was a pleasure working with Andrew and his team. When others were challanged by my installation location, he was able to make it happen, and at a competitive price. He installed a 40 panel, battery backup, ground mount system, on a hill. As a former solar installer, I appreciate his attention to detail, knowledge and insight into the latest technology. He is easy to work with and happy to answer any of your questions. His back office support is also excellent, providing quick turn around times to customers and the county. His team always arrived early on the day they said they would. He even completed the project a day early. I highly recommend Main Street Solar.

Professional, Personable, Knowledgeable

It was a pleasure working with Andrew and his team. When others were challanged by my installation location, he was able to make it happen, and at a competitive price. He installed a 40 panel, battery backup, ground mount system, on a hill. As a former solar installer, I appreciate his attention to detail, knowledge and insight into the latest technology. He is easy to work with and happy to answer any of your questions. His back office support is also excellent, providing quick turn around times to customers and the county. His team always arrived early on the day they said they would. He even completed the project a day early. I highly recommend Main Street Solar.

I waited a full year to write this review because I wanted to see how Main Street Solar's 7.2 kW solar array with a 16.8 kW partial battery backup would perform over time. I'm happy to report it has exceeded expectations! Financial Win: Financing through Clean Energy Credit Union with a unique loan structure (short-term balloon + long-term loan) made the system accessible. The tax rebate nearly covered the entire short-term loan (30% of the system cost). Based on current production, the remaining 10-year loan is likely to be paid off within 3 years. Energy Independence: Spring and fall production generates a surplus that offsets summer usage, reducing our power bill to connection fees and taxes only (around $8.86/month). The battery backup provides peace of mind, keeping critical appliances and even air conditioning running during power outages. Flawless Installation: Main Street Solar's installation team arrived and stayed on the project until completion. Lauren Wasko and Andrew Brenner expertly handled permitting with Roanoke County and Appalachian Power. Highly Recommended: I chose Main Street Solar based on a recommendation, and now I understand why! Their expertise, smooth installation, and commitment to customer satisfaction make them a top choice for anyone considering solar power.

Main Street Solar Delivers Reliable Power and Savings

I waited a full year to write this review because I wanted to see how Main Street Solar's 7.2 kW solar array with an Enphase 16.8 kW partial battery backup would perform over time. I'm happy to report it has exceeded expectations! Financial Win: Financing through Clean Energy Credit Union with a unique loan structure (short-term balloon + long-term loan) made the system accessible. The tax rebate nearly covered the entire short-term loan (30% of the system cost). The remaining balance of the 10-year loan is likely to be paid off within 3 years. Energy Independence: Spring and fall production generates a surplus that offsets summer usage, reducing our power bill to connection fees and taxes only (around $8.86/month). The battery backup provides peace of mind, keeping critical appliances and even air conditioning running during power outages. Flawless Installation: Main Street Solar's installation team arrived and stayed on the project until completion. Lauren Wasko and Andrew Brenner expertly handled permitting with Roanoke County and Appalachian Power. Highly Recommended: I chose Main Street Solar based on a recommendation, and now I understand why! Their expertise, smooth installation, and commitment to customer satisfaction make them a top choice for anyone considering solar power.

Excellent product

Can’t speak highly enough of Main St Solar. They did a great job educating me about the product and the installation was handled well. Several years in and the system works as promised. My power bill is at minimum for 10 months out of the year.

We couldn't be happier with how Main Street Solar designed and installed our solar panels in 2015. Their proposal was easy to understand, and I liked that they sited the panels to take maximum advantage of the sun's angle throughout the day. We did need follow-up service twice, and each time one of the Brenners showed us what solved the issue.

A GREAT company to do business with.

I talked to several solar installers before I chose Main Street Solar to install my 28 panels. The "on the ground" support frame and panels were installed in a very professional and timely manner. The inverter was installed inside my basement with the wiring underground. After all work was completed, they cleaned up all their debris and leveled the underground trenches. It was an excellent "turnkey" job. The inverter failed after four years (under warranty) and Main Street Solar was very helpful in obtaining a new inverter from the manufacturer. It was installed as soon as it arrived. I am very pleased with Main Street Solar's work, and highly recommend them to anyone interested in a solar system.

Professional and Reliable

Main Street Solar did a really nice job at our remote homesite. It was not an easy job to get the system installed in a mountain location. The system is reliable and producing more energy than we are consuming. Very pleased with our new Enphase system with battery backup!

Happy to have chosen Main Street Solar - great installation

We have requested quotes from Main Street for the last 3-4 years, never really felt the payback was worth the cost. We also wanted to get the last 2-3 years out of our roof shingles before installing solar panels. After 2-3 rate increases by AEP, our $/kw went up 30-35%, and there's is talk of additional increases, we asked Laura and Andrew to update their quote and compared that to 3-4 other quotes we solicited. Main Street wasn't the lowest cost per kw, but they were very competitive with everyone. Very happy with the level of communication and workmanship. Install was only a few weeks ago, so we'll have to see about the production estimates over time. Their experience with Solar is obvious given the prompt, intelligent answers to all of our questions. Very happy with our choice of Main Street Solar.

Excellent Solar Panel Installation from start to finish

Main Street Solar installed our solar panels in Luray VA in 2018. They did an excellent turnkey job. We sold our house in May 2023 and the title company wanted to be sure we owned the solar panels. I couldn't find the receipt, but we called Andrew, he found our records and forwarded them to the title company. That is above and beyond excellent service. The panels have been producing for 5 years without a problem.

Wonderful to work with

I would 100% recomend Main Street Solar to anyone looking to add a solar system... ill try to break it down to the points that mattetlr to me.. Price- no, its not cheap.. but they are priced fairly and this is definantly an area you get what you pay for. I cant give a 1,5, or 10 year reveiw because its not been that long, but the brand of panels they recommend are highly rated and acourding to the reveiws of others should continue to function well for a long time. Comunication- there was never a time that an email for phone call went unanswered. Emails where usually answered within the hour and phone calls where either answered at the moment or returned within a day. The only comunication issue was MY email lossing the contract in my spam folder which they were understanding about. Trustworthiness- these are people I felt comfortable with being in and around my home. Scheduling- it took a little bit to get on the schedule, but they where upfront with that from the start, they got to me right about when they said they would. Time to work. It took 3 days (two of them where half days because of weather) to install our system. And worked with me to an extreme to ake sure i knew when to expect them

Experienced, knowledgeable and willingness

For over a year I've been chasing my tail trying to get my dealer, Solar Thyme (Richmond) to respond and repair a long standing issue with pvlinks and panels. Owing to that experience I reached out to several companies providing solar equipment in my area but found only 1 thoroughly responsive to my concerns and many questions. Andrew always answers the phone says what he means and means what he says, is very knowledgeable, and well meaning and said he would schedule a visit if needed. He offered to do what many companies wont consider doing and that is to come into a situation not of their own making and provide the time and effort to troubleshoot and diagnose an issue and along the way impart invaluable information by helping correct long standing misconceptions on solar workings. I have a technical background and have readily identified Andrews depth of knowledge and confidence in taking responsibility and care with a customer that is not his own. He provided practical ways that helped me deal with the equipment, and understand the net metering/utility solar concept. I wouldn't hesitate to call again if needed and get Main Street Solar involved.

Great company

I had solar installed on my roof in 2018. It has worked perfectly and continues to do so. I have made many calls to Andrew, some very trivial (how to read the inverter) to serious (My solar panels don't work!) But they did. In a series of email exchanges he figured out the problem (a wire connecting to the internet had come unplugged). The system was working all the time, I just didn't have access for a while to the web site. I have recommended Main Street Solar to many people and I will continue to do so. Wonderful customer service and easy installation and great performance!

Extremely pleased

We used Main Street Solar for our panel installation and have been very happy with the service we received and the performance of the panels. Andrew Brenner sized our installation accurately, and after a year, the annual power production comes very close to our usage. Main Street's pricing is very competitive - we shopped our installation for about two years, and Main Street's combination of service, price, quality of the materials and being a local small business sold us.

Solar panel experience

This is a great company with great desire for providing superior customer service and delivering on what they sale.

Excellent from start to finish and service

Nimble, responsive, clear and accurate estimate for a new system for a major remodel with an extant metal roof. Kept to their timetable. Good communication. Two years out we had an inverter problem that they took care of promptly. Good people. Great system! We’ve never paid more than the basic monthly fee ($8.93) to APCO here in SWVA.

Fantastic people, extremely knowledgable, just plain NICE

Mainstreet solar was the best experience in purchasing solar. They know there profession, will give you all the facts, and not sell you on needless things. Installation was on time, castle free, with no mess.

Home Solar by Main Street Solar

We interviewed two solar installation companies. Main Street's bid was competitively better than the other, they had local references with high praise, and a good record at the BBB.

Best to deal with in everyway and great people.

From the very start of the process Main Street Solar took care of explaining what to expect during and after installing my system. They where concerned about my needs and there where no problems with the install. The very best at what they do and I really enjoyed the whole process. Great people taking care of your solar needs.

Great Company to work with

Main Street Solar did a great job installing our solar panels and coordinating with all of the various parties to get approvals, permits, etc. They got the job done fast and for a reasonable price, but (more importantly) did the job right.

Excellent service and quality silt panels.

They were consistent and convincing of the technical aspects of the project.

On time, and very professional. Very responsive to any questions

Recommended by Scott Horseman, our energy advisor

Our experience with Main St. Solar was Excellent.

We had gotten solar panels from another Company back in May 2016 and really liked them. A squirrel munched thru a cable under one panel and Main Street came and repaired it. In talking with one of the repair men we learned that AEP would now allow more panels, so I called Andrew and he came to talk with us. He prepared an estimate that we were good with and added 16 more panels. They came quickly and installed the panels in about a half day. Very Professional! Highly recommend them! Terry Broadwater

Great local company

We got quotes from 2 national companies and tried to get a quote from another local company. They never got back in touch. Call main street solar, got the basic questions answer over the phone, scheduled on site and it quickly done and priced better then the big guys. They showed up on time, finished in a day and the area was clean up.

Excellent Company

I have worked in General Construction contracting and also with Defense Contracts and have never found a company with such outstanding qualities. The management and staff are very professional and customer friendly. They are prompt in responding to questions of the customer as well as arriving at the job site at the stated time. Their teamwork, at all levels, shows outstanding management training. They came in at half the price for the same size system as one of the top national solar companies. I cannot say enough about this company. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a Solar system.

Main Street solar installed solar panels on my roof almost 4 years ago. My electric bill for my house has averaged $9.50 a month since the installation. I’ve been very pleased with my experience with Main Street Solar. The installation was very smooth and if I remember correctly took about 2 days. The installation crew was very knowledgeable and very efficient. The county building inspector okayed their work and had no criticism at all. Appalachian Power’s inspector also was pleased with the installation. I’m looking forward to talking to Main Street Solar in the near future when battery technology gets affordable for storing the excess solar power. I think I could disconnect from Appalachian power if I could store excess power😉 I highly recommend Main Street Solar. They were a pleasure to work with and they were very accurate at building the system to meet my needs.

Two Arrays Are Better Than One

Early in 2015 I contacted several solar companies to discuss installing a solar solution. Main Street Solar was one of three who responded and was the only willing to come out to the property to discuss in-person my needs. Being able to have a "live" discussion in which all my questions were answered and I learned quite a lot. In November 2015 they installed a 24-panel ground-mounted array. The installation crew was great and when follow-up was necessary, they were quick to respond. I was so satisfied with the results, I asked them to come back in November 2018 to install a second array )20 panels). I've recommended Main Street to several friends in the area and would gladly do so again.

I met with the crew of Main Street Solar in mid October 2016. I explained my desire to go solar. They listened to all my questions and concerns, and addressed each one. They even gave me some helpful suggestions on where I can improve on my idea. Our plan was to produce an estimated 98% of energy required to run my home. With some changes on their end, they were able to add an extra solar panel on my home and get me a little over the 100% mark with no increase in cost! The installers were polite and professional. The inspector could not get over how well the installation looked. Very professional! Its hard to get a company to return a phone call nowadays, but these guys always call or text you back the same day! Keep up the good work!