Solar Installation in Piedmont Virginia
Madison, Culpeper, Warrenton & the Piedmont. This is where Virtue Solar was born — and where we've been installing solar since 2015.
Where It All Started
Virtue Solar was started by a Madison County local in 2015
Virtue Solar was founded in Madison, Virginia, and the Piedmont region is where we cut our teeth. We've been installing solar in these counties since the very beginning, and we have extensive experience working with the local utilities, permitting offices, and building departments across the area.
We generally handle installations in this area with our in-house crew. From Warrenton to Culpeper to Rappahannock, we know the terrain, the roofs, and the people.
Areas we serve in the Piedmont
- Madison & Madison County
- Culpeper & Culpeper County
- Warrenton & Fauquier County
- Rappahannock County
- Orange County
- Greene County
$0 Down Solar
Go solar with no upfront cost
The federal residential solar tax credit ended December 31, 2025, but third-party ownership (TPO) makes solar accessible with no money down. You pay a flat monthly rate — typically less than your current electric bill — locked in for 25 years.
TPO is available for REC customers and works well for homes with good sun exposure. As utility rates continue to rise, your locked-in rate looks better every year. Learn more about our TPO financing options.
Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)
Virginia homeowners earn 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.
Virginia law (§ 58.1-3661) requires a full property tax exemption for systems ≤25 kW — automatic statewide since 2022. Virginia also provides a sales tax exemption on solar equipment for cash purchases.
Solar Increases Your Home's Value
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, and Rocket Homes reports they're 24.7% more likely to sell over asking price and spend 13.3% less time on the market.
With 67% of households interested in solar, buyers increasingly see it as a way to lock in energy costs. Read more about solar and home values.
Your Utility
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC)
The majority of the Piedmont region is served by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC), and this is the second-most common utility we work with. We have years of experience navigating their processes, requirements, and interconnection procedures.
Rates & net metering
REC's residential rates have crept up to approximately 15.1¢/kWh, with a $16.50 monthly fixed charge. They offer 1:1 retail rate net metering, but credits expire after 12 months if not used — so it's important to size your system carefully to match your actual usage patterns. Learn more about how net metering works.
System sizing: strict 100% cap
REC tends to be very strict about not allowing systems to produce more than 100% of past usage. In practice, this means we sometimes have to size systems slightly under 100% offset to pass their review process. The system size cap is 20 kW AC, with no standby charges.
New construction is possible but often requires owner involvement to document the anticipated electrical loads of the home, so we can justify an appropriately sized system to REC.
Our experience with REC
REC is great to work with, with the exception of their strict size restrictions and new-construction challenges. They use the PowerClerk portal for interconnection applications and have specific AC disconnect qualifications. We've been working with REC since our founding and know their process well — we handle the entire application for you.
A Note on Culpeper
Culpeper Town municipal utility
If your home is within the Town of Culpeper (not Culpeper County), you're served by the Culpeper municipal utility rather than REC. This is an important distinction, because the Culpeper municipal utility currently has very unfavorable terms for solar homeowners.
We have completed a few systems within the town's jurisdiction, but due to recent policy revisions, we generally don't recommend solar for homes on the Culpeper municipal utility at this time. Homes in surrounding Culpeper County on REC are not affected by this — solar works great there.
If you're unsure whether you're on the town utility or REC, share a recent electric bill with us and we'll help you figure it out.
Get a free solar quote for your Piedmont Virginia home
We'll create a custom model of your home, and show you how solar looks, what it will cost, and what incentives are available.
- Industry leading shade analysis
- Full system cost breakdown
- Solar incentives for your area
- Estimated savings & payback period
- 3D model of solar on your home
- REC net metering details
Solar in Piedmont Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
What utility serves my home in the Piedmont?
Most homes in the Piedmont region are served by Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC). The exception is homes within the Town of Culpeper, which are served by the Culpeper municipal utility. Some areas near Charlottesville may also be on Dominion or CVEC. Share a recent electric bill with us and we'll confirm your utility.
Why doesn't Virtue Solar recommend solar in the Town of Culpeper?
The Culpeper municipal utility currently has very unfavorable terms for solar homeowners. While we've completed a few systems there, recent policy revisions make it difficult to recommend. Homes in surrounding Culpeper County on REC are not affected — solar works great in the county.
How much does solar cost in the Piedmont area?
Residential solar in Virginia typically costs $2.75 to $3.50 per watt before incentives. A typical 8–10 kW system runs $22,000–$35,000. With TPO, you can go solar with $0 down and a monthly payment that's typically less than your current electric bill. Get a free assessment for a personalized quote.
Can I build a new home with solar on REC?
Yes, but it requires some extra effort. REC is strict about sizing systems based on past usage, which obviously doesn't exist for a new home. We work with the homeowner to document anticipated electrical loads so we can justify an appropriately sized system to REC. It's definitely doable — we've done it many times.
Does Virtue Solar have experience in Madison and the surrounding counties?
Absolutely. Virtue Solar was founded in Madison, Virginia in 2015, and the Piedmont counties are where we got our start. We've completed numerous installations across Madison, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Orange, and Greene counties, and we know the local building departments and utility processes inside out.
Rate information is based on publicly filed tariff schedules with the Virginia State Corporation Commission and is believed accurate as of March 2026. 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.”
“I recommend Virtue, without reservation, as the best of all the local solar companies I've dealt with, by far.”
“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.”
