Solar panels on a home in Southwest Virginia

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Solar Installation in Lynchburg, Roanoke & Southwest Virginia

Q: How much does solar cost in the Lynchburg/Roanoke area?

System costs are similar across Virginia: $2.75 to $3.50 per watt before incentives. A typical 8–12 kW system runs $22,000–$42,000. But at APCo's rates, the payback is faster and the lifetime savings are higher. With TPO, you can go solar with $0 down and an immediate reduction in your monthly energy costs.

Q: Are there standby charges with APCo?

No. Unlike Dominion Energy, APCo does not impose standby charges on residential solar systems. You can install up to 25 kW AC with no additional fees or penalties. This is one of the most straightforward utility arrangements in the state.

APCo has the highest electricity rates in Virginia. Solar has never made more sense in this part of the state.

Lynchburg & Southwest VA

Solar economics in APCo territory are the strongest in Virginia

If you're an Appalachian Power (APCo) customer, you're paying some of the highest electricity rates in the state. The good news? That makes solar an exceptionally strong investment. Every kilowatt-hour your panels produce is worth 25–35% more than it would be in Dominion territory.

Our in-house crew handles installations throughout the Lynchburg area, and we're actively expanding our presence in APCo territory. We know the application process inside and out — and while APCo requires more documentation than other Virginia utilities, we handle every step for you.

A word of caution: national solar companies have recently flooded into this area, drawn by APCo's high rates. While solar is a great option here, we strongly recommend working with a local Virginia company for the best pricing and the best long-term result. A local team means local service, local accountability, and someone to call if you ever need support down the road.

Areas we serve

Lynchburg
Roanoke
Bedford & Bedford County
Amherst & Amherst County
Campbell County
Salem
Vinton
Forest

$0 Down Solar

Go solar with no upfront cost

The federal residential solar tax credit ended in 2025, but third-party ownership (TPO) makes solar accessible with no money down. You pay a flat monthly rate that's typically less than your current electric bill, locked in for 25 years.

TPO works especially well in areas with higher electricity rates, because the gap between your current bill and your TPO payment is larger from day one. As rates continue to rise, your locked-in rate looks better every year. Learn more about TPO financing.

For cash purchases, payback periods tend to be shorter in this part of Virginia due to the higher per-kWh offset value. See how locking in rates works.

Solar installation in Southwest Virginia

Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)

Virginia homeowners earn Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) for the energy their system produces — roughly $27 each for every 1,000 kWh generated. A typical 10 kW system earns 12–14 SRECs per year, adding an extra $324–$378 annually on top of your electricity savings.

We handle SREC registration for you, so you can start earning as soon as your system is up and running. Virginia also offers a sales tax exemption on solar equipment for cash purchases.

Solar Increases Your Home's Value

National studies consistently show that solar panels boost property values. Research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found buyers pay an average of $15,000 more for homes with solar. Zillow data shows solar homes sell for 4.1% more on average, while Rocket Homes reports they're 24.7% more likely to sell over asking price and spend 13.3% less time on the market.

With energy costs rising, buyers increasingly see solar as a way to protect themselves from rate increases and keep monthly costs predictable. Read more about solar and home values.

A Note on Working Local

Why we recommend a local installer in APCo territory

The Lynchburg and Roanoke areas have seen a surge of national solar companies over the past year, drawn by APCo's high rates and the strong solar economics they create. While solar is genuinely a great investment in this area, not all companies operate the same way.

National companies often subcontract installations, use aggressive sales tactics, and may not be around for long-term service. When something needs attention five years from now, you want a company that's still local, still reachable, and still invested in your community.

As a Virginia-based company with our own install team, we handle everything from design to installation to long-term service. We're a phone call away if you ever need us.

Your Utility

Appalachian Power Company (APCo)

APCo serves 34 counties in central and southwestern Virginia, including Lynchburg, Roanoke, and the surrounding region. They hold the distinction of having the highest residential electricity rates in Virginia — which, counterintuitively, makes this one of the best places in the state to go solar.

The highest rates in Virginia

APCo's effective residential rate is approximately 16.36¢/kWh as of late 2025, with a 1,000 kWh monthly bill running about $164 before taxes. To put that in context, APCo's rates have increased 158% since 2007 — more than three times the rate of inflation. The monthly customer charge is a modest $7.96, meaning the vast majority of your bill is usage-based — exactly the kind of cost solar eliminates.

Net metering: 1:1 credits, protected by the SCC

In August 2025, the SCC issued a landmark ruling that preserved full 1:1 retail rate net metering for APCo customers. APCo had proposed slashing solar compensation to avoided cost — roughly a 70% reduction — but the SCC rejected the proposal, finding that net metering provides net benefits to all ratepayers.

This means every kWh your solar system sends to the grid earns you a full retail credit at ~16.4¢ — the highest credit value in Virginia. Read about the SCC's net metering decision.

System sizing: 25 kW with no strings

APCo allows residential systems up to 25 kW AC with no standby charges and no additional restrictions. This is the most generous sizing allowance among Virginia's utilities — no standby fees, no penalties, no complicated thresholds to design around.

Application process: thorough but manageable

APCo has the most thorough net metering application in the state. It requires a site plan, one-line electrical diagram, and photos of the planned equipment mounting location. There are multiple signature steps and verification checkpoints. This typically means longer submission times on our end, but once everything is submitted, processing takes about 10 business days. We handle the entire application for you — you won't need to worry about the paperwork.

Solar Installation in Lynchburg, VA

Solar in the Lynchburg area is really about the utility rates — and APCo's are the highest in Virginia.

Every kilowatt-hour your panels produce offsets a more expensive grid kilowatt-hour, shortening payback and boosting lifetime savings.

We've worked throughout the Lynchburg area and heavily in the surrounding counties, including some of our larger commercial projects in Bedford County. Permitting and paperwork are straightforward.

If you have a sunny roof, solar is a shoe-in — whether you buy cash or choose a $0-upfront TPO option.

Get a solar quote in Lynchburg

Solar Installation in Roanoke, VA

We've completed a number of projects in the Roanoke area. Roanoke sits at the far end of our service radius, but we do take on work here.

We typically use one of two install approaches: we send our own in-house crew, or we partner with a trusted local installer for the physical installation. Either way, we handle design, permitting, and interconnection ourselves.

Roanoke is APCo territory, so the same strong solar economics apply.

Get a solar quote in Roanoke

Get a free solar quote for your Lynchburg or Roanoke-area home

We'll create a custom model of your home and show you exactly what solar looks like at APCo's rates.

Industry leading shade analysis
Full system cost breakdown
APCo-specific savings estimate
Estimated payback period
3D model of solar on your home
TPO and cash purchase options

Solar in APCo Territory: Frequently Asked Questions

Why is solar such a good deal in APCo territory?

APCo has the highest residential rates in Virginia at ~16.36¢/kWh — rates that have increased 158% since 2007. Every kWh your solar system produces offsets a more expensive kWh from the grid, giving you a faster payback and higher lifetime savings than anywhere else in the state. Combined with full 1:1 net metering (recently protected by the SCC), solar economics here are exceptional.

Is APCo's net metering really safe?

Yes. In August 2025, the Virginia SCC rejected APCo's proposal to slash net metering compensation by ~70%. The SCC found that net metering provides net benefits to all ratepayers and preserved full 1:1 retail rate credits. Existing solar customers would also be grandfathered under any future changes.

How much does solar cost in the Lynchburg/Roanoke area?

System costs are similar across Virginia: $2.75 to $3.50 per watt before incentives. A typical 8–12 kW system runs $22,000–$42,000. But at APCo's rates, the payback is faster and the lifetime savings are higher. With TPO, you can go solar with $0 down and an immediate reduction in your monthly energy costs.

Are there standby charges with APCo?

No. Unlike Dominion Energy, APCo does not impose standby charges on residential solar systems. You can install up to 25 kW AC with no additional fees or penalties. This is one of the most straightforward utility arrangements in the state.

Why should I choose a local company over a national installer?

National companies have flooded APCo territory recently, drawn by the strong economics. But local companies like Virtue Solar offer better pricing (no corporate overhead), our own install crews, a comprehensive warranty, and long-term local service. When you need help in five years, you want a company that's still in Virginia and still answering the phone.

How long does the APCo application process take?

APCo has the most detailed net metering application in Virginia, requiring a site plan, one-line diagram, and mounting location photos. It takes longer to prepare than other utilities, but once submitted, processing is within 30 days. We handle the entire application for you.

Rate information is based on publicly filed tariff schedules with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and is believed accurate as of March 2026. APCo rates cited reflect effective rates as of November 2025. Rates are subject to change through regulatory proceedings. Virtue Solar is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any utility company. For current rate information, contact your utility provider directly.

What our customers say

“I looked at several solar providers but chose Virtue because they were low pressure, responsive, honest and local.”

Tom Warrenton, VA

“I recommend Virtue, without reservation, as the best of all the local solar companies I've dealt with, by far.”

Cally Rockingham, VA

“Peter and Matt were very helpful in getting my system designed for my needs. I can't stress enough how happy I am that a local company did such a superb job.”

Joe Richmond, VA