Solar Panels Cost $12k-$22k in Richmond County, VA | August, 2025
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How much do solar panels cost in Richmond County, VA in 2025?
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In Richmond County, VA in August, 2025 you will spend about $3.51/W to get a solar system.
According to the cost, expect the price to be $3,510, on average, for every 1000 watts (or 1 kW) of solar energy your solar system can generate. When you subtract the 30% federal tax credit, you can expect to spend about $12,285, in Richmond County, for a 5 kW solar setup. It's important to note that a more powerful system may be necessary to satisfy your energy requirements.
Choose your county from the menu on the left to see the average roof size and maximum solar panel system capacity for homes in your area. Additionally, you can also see an overview of the costs, payback period and 20 year average savings for a 5 kW system installed in your county below.
Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.
Richmond County: $12,285US Average: $12,523
Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.
Richmond County: 6 yearsUS Average: 7 years
Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.
Richmond County: $23,264US Average: $17,429
Solar Potential in Richmond County
Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in Richmond County.
Roof size 697sq. ft.
Capacity 9.75kW DC
Electricity 12.1kkWh AC per yr.
Electricity Costs in Richmond County, VA & What that Means for Your Solar Panel Pricing
Richmond County energy consumers typically pay 170.06 per month for electricity, with an average usage of 1,098 kWh. Small residences, including duplexes, are also encompassed in the figures noted in the prior sentence.
For August 2025, the mean electricity rate in Richmond County, VA is 15.49¢ per kWh.
Right now, a 9 kW solar installation will cost you approximately $31,590, but the federal tax credit reduces the price by 30%, making it $22,113.
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Average solar panel costs by system size in Richmond County
Presented on the left and below is the price breakdown for different sizes of solar panel systems set up in Richmond County. The initial cost for bigger solar systems is larger, but they also provide more significant electricity savings and higher income tax credits.
The solar panel cost calculator below and to the right analyzes costs and benefits, considering an average $170.06 electric bill in Richmond County Adjust the $170.06 to fit your average bill payment for customized outcomes.
System Size
Roof Size Min. space required
Electricity Value Annual Production
Est. Price
System Size 5kW
Roof Size Min. space required
358 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,108 a year
Est. Price
$12,285
Savings from a 5kWthis system
Est. yearly production 7,384 kWh
Est. monthly savings $92
Full payback in 6 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.25 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 58 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,105 mi less a year
System Size 6kW
Roof Size Min. space required
429 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,329 a year
Est. Price
$14,742
Savings from a 6kWthis system
Est. yearly production 8,861 kWh
Est. monthly savings $111
Full payback in 7 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.51 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 69 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 3,726 mi less a year
System Size 7kW
Roof Size Min. space required
501 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,551 a year
Est. Price
$17,199
Savings from a 7kWthis system
Est. yearly production 10,337 kWh
Est. monthly savings $129
Full payback in 8 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 1.76 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 81 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,347 mi less a year
System Size 8kW
Roof Size Min. space required
572 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,772 a year
Est. Price
$19,656
Savings from a 8kWthis system
Est. yearly production 11,814 kWh
Est. monthly savings $148
Full payback in 10 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.01 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 92 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 4,968 mi less a year
System Size 9kW
Roof Size Min. space required
644 ft²
Electricity Value Annual Production $1,994 a year
Est. Price
$22,113
Savings from a 9kWthis system
Est. yearly production 13,291 kWh
Est. monthly savings $166
Full payback in 11 years
Environmental Impacts
Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.26 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 104 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 5,589 mi less a year
Richmond County Solar Panel Installation Incentives & Rebates | 2025
The REAP Grant can potentially cover between 80% and 100% of the installation costs for solar or wind turbines for rural small businesses and farms. Curious if you qualify? Our REAP Grant eligibility tool can help you verify.
Homeowners can take advantage of a 30% federal income tax credit for installing residential solar panels, making solar power a sensible option across much of the country. Moreover, a number of state and local programs are available to incentivize solar adoption.
Multiple utilities and government organizations in Virginia have 9 solar rebate and incentive programs.
Solar incentives in VAIncentive Description Value
Commercial Solar Property Tax Exemption
Value:Varies
In June of 2000, Austin passed Resolution No. 000608-43, mandating that all newly constructed dwellings must be built to conform with the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver. This policy was further revised and enhanced in November 2007 under Resolution No. 20071129-045 to set two additional criteria for instigating the LEED Silver requirement for both new construction and major renovations. Likewise, home renovations smaller in scope but costing $300,000 or more and requiring work in the LEED energy and atmosphere, material and resources, must, at a minimum, necessarily achieve LEED Silver certification.
Net Metering
Value:Varies
In Virginia, renewable energy customers may enroll in net metering contracts to receive compensation for using their generation equipment. Net metering is standardized for private and cooperative electric utilities, but not for local public utilities. Upon approval of a customer's net metering application, their utility will install a bidirectional meter onto the system to measure net excess generation (NEG) sent back to the grid. Customers will be compensated per kW of NEG at a fixed avoided-cost rate. Fees may apply depending on system capacity and jurisdiction. Additional information is available from individual utilities.
Local Option - Residential Property Tax Exemption for Solar
Value:Varies
In Virginia, local and county governments may choose to promote solar energy adoption and recycling equipment through property tax incentives. Participating localities may implement either partial or total exemptions on any equipment used to generate, store, or distribute solar power or energy for heating/cooling. Any solar PV and active/passive water or space heater may qualify. Additional information is available from local governments.
Energy Project and Equipment Financing
Value:Varies
Over the roughly the last two decades, The City of Austin instituted several ambitious energy efficiency codes, policies, and programs. In February 2007, its city council signed into law the Austin Climate Protection Plan that promoted the drafting of a wide diversity of new building codes intended to reduce energy consumption in new single-family homes by 65% and other buildings both private and public, by 75%. Prior to this, Austin introduced the first green building program in the U.S. with the Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) that proposed a five-star rating system for assessing energy efficiency. While buildings must meet the prescriptive code requirements of the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code, Chapter 4, regarding the Commercial rating, meeting the series of Basic Requirements (required for all AEGB rated projects) are considered voluntary.
City of Danville - Net Metering
Value:Varies
The city of Danville has set local net metering standards for interconnected renewable energy systems. To begin net metering, a solar energy system owner should notify the city at least 30-60 days before interconnection (depending on their system's capacity.) The city requires compliance with IEEE/UL standards, minimum liability insurance coverage, and the installation of external disconnect switches. Once all interconnection standards are satisfied, net excess generation will be credited to the owner's energy bill at an avoided-cost rate. Additional information is available from the city website.
Small Business & Non-Profit Loan Program
Value:Varies
In 2009, Forth Worth voted to adopt the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code to include such amendments as the City Building Code. In accordance with State Law, The City of Forth Worth presently enforces the 2015 International Conservation Code with all amendments thereto. Both the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code with amendments and Code 2013 ASHRAE 90.1 are effectively used in Forth Worth to maintain state-level compliance with the Texas energy conservation mandate for all commercial buildings within the state.
Local Option- Renewable Energy Machinery and Tools Property Tax Exemption
Value:Varies
In 2014, Houston passed a municipal law, Ordinance No. 2014-5 in the year 2014 that made it a requirement for new residential construction to exceed the energy efficiency requirements under the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) by 15%. The City of Houston then legislated to bring itself in alignment with Chapter 11 of the 2015 IECC and its amendments, per state law. Before that time, in 2008, Houston effectuated the City of Houston Commercial Energy Conservation Code based on ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004.
Green Job Creation Tax Credit
Value:Varies
Oncor residential customers can take advantage of rebates offered by its utility, Oncor Electric Delivery, after installing a photovoltaic (PV) system on their properties. Residential homeowners, service providers, and third parties, alike, are eligible for the rebate. To qualify, the home must have Oncor Systems as its electric delivery service provider, the systems are required to be new, connected to the grid, and meet all applicable code requirements. Installations must be performed by approved service providers who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
VirginiaSAVES Green Community Loan Program
Value:Varies
Members of CoServ Electric Cooperative can access a rebate program available to them after installing a solar energy system on their property. To qualify, customers are required to execute an interconnection agreement (with net metering) for on-site generation with CoServ. All energy that’s acquired from generation produced by the system is given to CoServ without compensation. Concerning this rebate program, interested parties should contact the utility directly or visit their homepage for the most up-to-date information.
Are solar panels worth it in Richmond County, VA?
For those in Richmond County looking to stay in their homes past the payback period of their solar system, solar panels make excellent sense. With a 5 kW solar system in Richmond County, VA, the average savings over a 20 period is $28,529.4, with break even generally occurring at 6 years.
The cost of not having solar panels in Richmond County, VA
Apart from missing out on the aforementioned savings, not installing solar panels or any backup energy system leaves you totally reliant on your electric utility for power. Recent news coverage has demonstrated that full reliance on your utility company isn't always the most favorable scenario.
In recent years, customers in Richmond County have experienced an average of 1.23 utility outages each year. Outages typically last for an average of 109.34 minutes. Major occurrences like aging infrastructure, lightning strikes or planned maintenance can lead to a significant rise in these time frames.
Take a look at the graphic below to see the number of current electricity customers without power in Richmond County.
Whether or not a backup battery is included, a solar panel system could reduce the impact of future power outages you might encounter.
Power Outages
Currently, 0 customers are being tracked in Richmond County.
What impacts the cost of solar panels in Richmond County, VA?
Your Energy Needs - While the upfront cost is larger, the price per watt declines with larger solar panel systems. Individuals often find that installing a solar system that can offset their electric bill is highly beneficial. This strategy results in increased savings.
Make & Model - As with many other products, there are different makes and models of solar panels and mounting equipment available. The brand preferences of your selected installer can make it important to pick a reputable installer. Buyers who opt for better materials generally enjoy a superior long-term experience.
Solar Panel Type - Monocrystalline panels have emerged as the industry standard, and deservedly so. Even though they are more expensive, they produce more energy. The majority of installers utilize panels constructed from this material.
Your Property - Trees, uneven land, or other obstacles can make the installation process more challenging. With the use of satellite images, many solar installers currently can evaluate your home and include these elements into the initial cost estimate.
Labor Rates - Variations in employee wages across companies cause expenses that are passed on to the consumers. Companies that invest in higher wages often see higher reviews for their services and customer service.
Permitting & Interconnection - Local permitting and utility interconnection fees, which differ by region, will influence your final installation cost. That said, reputable local installers will be able to build these numbers into your first quotes so there are no surprises.
See what solar panels cost in other Richmond County cities
Go Solar for less than your cell phone bill.
Who are the best solar installers in Richmond County?
Solar systems for selling electricity back to the grid.
Expertise in consulting on advantageous financing for solar.
Richmond County, VA Solar Panel Cost FAQs
As recorded in August, 2025, the standard cost for solar panel installations in Richmond County, VA is $3.51/W. In Richmond County, VA, installing a 5 kW solar panel system will set you back approximately $12,285 after federal tax incentives.
Residents of Virginia can currently take advantage of 9 rebates and incentives offered by various utilities and government bodies. Also, nearly everyone can take advantage of the 30% federal tax credit.
While paying cash provides the most savings, various financing options for solar panels exist that also are financially sensible. Financing options from installers will often be detailed in your initial quotes.
Yes, in Richmond County, VA, 5 kW solar panel systems typically pay off in 6 years, and users save around $28,529.4 in electricity costs over 20 years.
Savings from 
Environmental Impacts 
