Electricity Rates in Virginia

Virginia has 23 out of 32 electricity suppliers reporting that they offer net metering to residents with personal solar panels. The state of Virginia has above average state level net metering regulations.

The average energy loss for companies in Virginia is 2.71%. This includes data from 17 companies, including Dominion Energy, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative. With a nationwide average of 2.45%, Virginia is ranked as the 15th best state in the US.

In order to foster solar panel installs at private residences, all a state needs to do is pass legislation with solar related tax and rebate incentives. Virginia, unfortunately, has no statewide tax credits offered to residents who install solar panels. Offering no rebates for solar purchases, the state currently is failing its citizens who wish to install private solar panels. Unfortunately, homeowners in the state are only offered some optional tax exemptions for what they spend on solar installs. Citizens in the state do not have access to a sales tax exemption when purchasing solar panels.

Legislation enforced at the state level determines whether customers who are seeking renewable energy sources can easily find alternatives. Many states require green fuel sources to make up a percentage of the fuel used for electricity generation by suppliers in the state. These stipulations are referred to as Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). Virginia, unfortunately, has no standards in place. Also, the state does not have any sort of low income solar programs that help with the installation of solar panels at low income households.