Solar power in Virginia
Virginia has some room for improvement as far as solar incentives go; there is no solar carve out within their renewable portfolio standard and there are no mandatory tax exemptions. However, there is a net metering law in place which can provide savings on electric bills for homes with solar systems.
Combine mandatory net metering with the 26% federal tax credit and there is potential for great savings when you make the switch to solar in Virginia.
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Virginia
Virginia solar power facts
$2.62 watt
Average cost: 5kW solar power system
?8 Years 9 Months
Average payback time
$52,755
Average lifetime savings
?6¢ kWh
Levelized cost of solar energy
24¢ kWh
If you don't get solar
?13,636 kWh
Annual power production
Cash flow graph based on cash purchase of a 10.64kW system
This 10.64kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill in Virginia is $150, however, your situation may vary so try our solar calculator to get a result tailored to you.
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Solar companies in Virginia that provide pricing through the SolarEstimate marketplace.
How much can solar panels save you in Virginia
Average total cost of solar panel installation in Virginia
| System Size | Cash purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
Financed purchase After 26% solar tax credit |
|---|---|---|
| 3kw | $6,016 | $6,497 |
| 4kw | $7,903 | $8,535 |
| 5kw | $9,694 | $10,470 |
| 6kw | $11,455 | $12,372 |
| 7kw | $13,105 | $14,154 |
| 8kw | $14,741 | $15,920 |
| 9kw | $16,250 | $17,550 |
| 10kw | $17,760 | $19,181 |
How much do solar panels cost in Virginia?
$2.62 per watt
Cash purchased solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$4.18 per watt
Financed solar system
Before 26% solar tax credit
$0.0¢ /kWh
Lease/PPA
Ave 15 year term, 2.5% price escalator
What are the pros and cons of installing solar panels in Virginia?
The main advantage of installing solar panels in Virginia is the state’s net metering law, which requires retail sellers of electricity to provide solar customers credit for the excess generation their systems create. Also, homeowners can take advantage of the federal solar tax credit. These two incentives alone make solar an excellent investment for your home or business in Virginia.
SolarPowerRocks provides a great breakdown of solar incentives and policy for each state within the US.
The disadvantage of installing solar panels is that Virginia receives less sunshine than some other states. This means that a solar system will produce a little less here than it will in sunnier states like Arizona. Also, the state does not require a property tax exemption on solar energy equipment like many other states do. The lack of a solar carve out and Virginia’s renewable portfolio goals being voluntary puts less pressure on utilities to create incentives for expanding solar.
Enter your details to calculate the potential costs and savings you can expect to receive from installing solar panels for your home.
Best solar companies in Virginia
Compare solar quotes from the top solar companies in Virginia
Best brands of solar panels
To find the best brands of solar panels you can use America's most trusted solar panel comparison and reviews website, SolarReviews.
However, reviews of solar panels can be a bit meaningless because most consumer owners have not had any issues and so while solar company reviews are very important when choosing solar installers they are of less use when choosing solar panels.
For more information to help you make an informed decision about this topic, I would recommend this article about buying solar panels.
How much electricity will solar panels produce in Virginia
Solar panels produce different amounts of energy in different locations.
Around the Norfolk area solar panels installed on a south-facing 27-degree pitch roof will typically produce:
1,150kWh
per year per 1kW of peak DC
(direct current) capacity
For more information about how your location, roof direction, and roof tilt affects solar power production use the solar panels calculator and enter your zip code.
I want to buy a solar panel kit and install it myself
What rebates, solar tax credits and other solar incentives are available in Virginia?
Net metering in Virginia
Virginia law requires retail electric providers to make net metering available to their customers. This policy provides credits for any excess generation a solar system produces that can be applied to future bills to reduce costs.
Virginia property tax exemption
There is no state-mandated property tax exemption for renewable energy systems. However, there is a law that allows counties, cities, or towns to choose if they would like to enact a policy exempting the costs of a solar system from an individual's property taxes. Some towns such as Alexandria, Charlottesville, and Chesterfield exempt solar system costs from property taxes.
Check your county and city website to see if your solar system can be exempt from your property taxes.
Virginia Solar Calculator
Regardless of what you want to know about the economics of installing solar panels for your home or business in Virginia, we have a solar calculator that can show you exactly the information you require.
What you can find out about installing solar panels in Virginia using our full monthly solar calculator
This solar calculator requires you to input your address, utility company, your average monthly power spend - It tells you:
- What size solar system do you need?
- Answers the question of How many solar panels do I need?
- How many square feet of roof space you need for solar panels
- Solar electricity production in annual kWh (kilowatt-hours) you can expect from your solar system in Virginia
- The value of solar tax credits and other incentives you are entitled to based on the estimated size of system you need, your location and your utility provider.
- Likely cost based on an average of prices charged for solar systems of that size in the last year in Virginia or Norfolk ;
- The likely payback period on your solar panels and your investment return.
- Your total lifetime solar savings based on each of the major solar finance options, a cash purchase, a cash purchase funded with a HELOC sol (home equity line of credit) and a zero-down PPA or third party lease product.
If you want to see all of the above but also see live pricing, the three best solar deals available in your city and get binding quotes from each of these solar companies then use this Virginia solar panels calculator. This calculator requires you to also input your name and contact details because most of our 200+ installer partners will only authorize the sharing of their live solar pricing where we have validated that you are a real homeowner with a home in their service area. We respect the privacy of your data and only share your contact details with the solar companies you ask us to get binding quotes from.
Going solar in Virginia
Check out all of the ways energy providers of Virginia can help you be more energy-efficient and save money.
The following programs are available:
| Incentive Name | Eligibility | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit | Federal | Personal Tax Credit |
| Net Metering | State | Net Metering |
Find your local rebates and incentives
Your city may have further incentives to offer. Please keep in mind that the best source of up-to-date information on incentives is the solar installers who specialize in your area.
