Author: Lacy Cook — Virginia is highly viable for green energy, thanks to hundreds of days of sunshine each year and numerous incentives making solar more affordable. Whether you want to lower your electricity bill or simply supplement your power usage with a sustainable alternative that is beneficial for your neighborhood and environment, solar installers in Virginia can help you design the perfect system for your home. Here’s how Virginia homeowners can capitalize on the state’s solar potential.
Is Virginia A Good State For Solar?
Yes, Virginia is a great place to go solar! The state sees over 200 sunny days annually, and some cities see even more. Its attribution as a “Goldilocks Climate” is fitting — the weather is often fair, and even when skies are overcast, the sun still offers some level of radiation to power solar panels. This means solar energy is a workable option throughout the year for most households.
And in addition to the climate factors, Virginia lawmakers have supported incentives to make solar more accessible. From net metering to SRECs, Virginia offers several key financial advantages.
Virginia-Specific Solar Advantages
Each state approaches solar differently. Virginia welcomes solar power by offering a wide range of incentives. If you’re a homeowner in Virginia considering solar, here’s what’s available for you:
1. Net Metering
Dominion Energy participates in net metering. That means when a solar system produces excess energy, that power can be fed back to the grid. In exchange for this surplus production, homeowners receive compensation or bill credits. Net metering requires a bi-directional utility meter, which typically is installed around the same time as the solar array.
2. Tax Credits
Virginia homeowners can benefit from the federal investment tax credit, which allows property owners to deduct 30% of the total solar system cost when they file their taxes. This tax credit will be available until 2033, after which the percentage will gradually decrease. The solar tax credit will expire in 2035, unless Congress decides to renew it.
In order to claim this credit, you will need to have a tax liability. Anyone who ends up not owing taxes will not be able to take advantage of the credit, although they can carry it over into future years.
Want to know more? We wrote a guide on the federal solar tax credit with answers to common questions.
3. Tax Exemptions
Virginia treats solar arrays as a separate property class; installing solar at your house will not raise your property taxes. All solar installations under 25 kilowatts are exempt from local and state taxation. Plus, solar panels increase the value of your home! If you choose to sell your house down the road, solar panels can add to the price tag.
4. Solar PPAs
The Virginia General Assembly just passed a law enacting support for third-party leasing for rooftop solar systems, which means homeowners have more options to fund solar than before. This gives a green light for Power Purchase Agreements, or PPAs. Under this scenario, homeowners can opt for no-cost solar installation, and pay a fixed rate for electricity (at lower rates than what you’d pay Dominion).
Uprise’s PPA lasts for 20 years — during which time we handle any necessary maintenance — and after those 20 years a homeowner becomes the system owner.
5. Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)
Virginia also hosts a marketplace for Solar Renewable Energy Credits, or SRECs. For every megawatt-hour of power your solar panels produce, you earn one SREC. These SRECs can be sold on a marketplace, where utility companies purchase them in order to meet renewable portfolio standards.
Homeowners receive financial compensation for SRECs separately from money earned through net metering.
Go Green With Expert Solar Installers In Virginia
If you’re looking for reliable solar installers in Virginia, you’ve come to the right place. Before deciding on solar, it’s good to talk with a professional. We’re happy to schedule a free consultation with you and answer your renewable energy questions.
We’ll provide you with a free design, and help you explore the solar options for your home. We’ll tailor the design to your house, location, and goals, using Tier 1 solar panels renowned for their durability. Our team presents each design in a transparent, easy-to-understand format. We take great pride in customer satisfaction and hold ourselves accountable for every installation. Contact Uprise to schedule your consultation today.