Is there a limit to the amount of solar panels a house can have in Virginia?

As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.

How much to install solar panels in Virginia?

Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $3.95 in Virginia. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $39,500 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.

How much do solar panels add to house value in Virginia?

Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.

What direction should solar panels face in Virginia?

To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.

How many solar panel installers in Virginia?

Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 50 verified solar install companies in Virginia

Going solar in Virginia

In Virginia, an average home needs a 9kW solar system in order cover most of their electricity needs. Given the average residential price-per-watt of $3.95 in Virginia, a 9kW system can cost around $35,550 depending on applicable rebates and other factors.

Select your county by clicking on the map and see the potential generated solar power and panel pricing. See how it compares with the US state average.

Average out-of-pocket cost for a 5 kW system The upfront amount spent to buy and install solar.

Virginia: $19,750US Average: $19,594

Average Payback Period The number of years until you break even on the solar investment.

Virginia: 12 yearsUS Average: 13 years

Average Net 20-year savings The total amount of money saved over 20 years minus the out-of-pocket cost.

Virginia: $12,286US Average: $10,133

Solar Potential in Virginia

Estimated system size and solar electricity production per median viable roof in
Virginia.

Roof size 697sq. ft.

Capacity 9.75kW DC

Electricity 12.1kkWh AC per yr.

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Compare solar panels by system size in Virginia

Get the most value out of your roof by comparing the different benefits a given system size has.

System Size 5kW

Roof Size Min. space required

358 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $894 a year

Est. Price

$19,750

Savings from a 5kWthis system

Est. yearly production 7,209 kWh
Est. monthly savings $74
Full payback in 22 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 2.72 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 125 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 6,740 mi less a year

System Size 6kW

Roof Size Min. space required

429 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,073 a year

Est. Price

$23,700

Savings from a 6kWthis system

Est. yearly production 8,651 kWh
Est. monthly savings $89
Full payback in 22 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.27 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 150 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 8,089 mi less a year

System Size 7kW

Roof Size Min. space required

501 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,251 a year

Est. Price

$27,650

Savings from a 7kWthis system

Est. yearly production 10,092 kWh
Est. monthly savings $104
Full payback in 22 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 3.81 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 175 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 9,437 mi less a year

System Size 8kW

Roof Size Min. space required

572 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,430 a year

Est. Price

$31,600

Savings from a 8kWthis system

Est. yearly production 11,534 kWh
Est. monthly savings $119
Full payback in 22 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.36 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 200 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 10,785 mi less a year

System Size 9kW

Roof Size Min. space required

644 ft²

Electricity Value Annual Production $1,609 a year

Est. Price

$35,550

Savings from a 9kWthis system

Est. yearly production 12,976 kWh
Est. monthly savings $133
Full payback in 22 years

Environmental Impacts

Reduces CO2 emissions by 4.86 tons a year
Equivalent to planting 223 trees a year
Equivalent to driving 12,036 mi less a year

Current utility bill:

Virginia solar incentives, tax credit, and rebates

Virginia has 9 rebates and tax credits that you may be eligable for. Visit the official links for more details to see if you apply.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

As a general rule, unless there are local limitations, the main limitations to the amount of solar panels you can put on your roof are the available space on your roof, your electricity usage, your providers net metering rules, and the limitations of your house hold electrical system.
Based on our research the average price per installed watt is $3.95 in Virginia. This means for a 10kW system you can expect to pay $39,500 though pricing can vary significantly between installers based on the projects requirements.
Based on a Zillow research study from 2019, home with solar panels sell for roughly 4.1% more.
To generate the most power, solar panels in the United States should face true south as this generally results in the solar panels receiving the most light each day throughout the course of the year. That said, given that energy prices are often variable throughout the day, your installer may recommend you rotate your panels slightly so that the panels will receive more light at the end of the day when energy prices can be more expensive. That said, for most consumers the positioning of solar panels is highly dependent on your home's roof.
Based on our continuously updated database of solar installers, we have found 50 verified solar install companies in Virginia