Solar Installation in Richmond & Surrounding Areas
Professional solar installation across the Richmond metro — from Henrico to Chesterfield and everywhere in between.
Richmond Metro
Solar is booming in Richmond — and we're here to help
Richmond and its surrounding suburbs are one of our most active service areas. The combination of Dominion Energy's rate increases, strong net metering policies, and excellent sun exposure makes the Richmond metro one of the best markets for residential solar in Virginia. Richmond averages approximately 213 sunny days per year and around 4.9 peak sun hours daily — ideal conditions for solar production.
Our in-house crew handles all Richmond-area installations. We're based in Charlottesville — about an hour west — and our team works in the Richmond metro regularly. We know the local permitting offices and have built strong relationships with inspectors across the region.
Areas we serve in the Richmond metro
- Richmond (City)
- Henrico County
- Chesterfield County
- Midlothian
- Short Pump
- Mechanicsville
- Bon Air
- Chester
- Tuckahoe
- Manakin-Sabot & Goochland
$0 Down Solar
Go solar with no upfront cost
The federal residential solar tax credit ended December 31, 2025, but that hasn't slowed down solar in Richmond. Through third-party ownership (TPO), you can go solar with no money down and a monthly payment that's typically less than your current Dominion bill.
TPO works especially well in the Richmond metro, where many homes have excellent south-facing roofs with minimal shade. You lock in a predictable energy rate for 25 years — while Dominion's rates continue climbing. See how locking in your energy rates works.
For homes with partial shading, TPO can be borderline — but when it works, it works great. We'll let you know during the assessment whether TPO is a good fit for your specific roof.
Permitting in the Richmond Metro
We handle all permitting and paperwork across the Richmond metro. One of the reasons we love working in this area is the streamlined permitting process in several localities.
Henrico County is particularly easy to work with — they offer next-day inspections and a fast, efficient permitting process. Chesterfield and the City of Richmond are also straightforward. We manage everything from building permits to utility interconnection applications to HOA coordination.
Solar Incentives in Richmond
Installing solar won't increase your property taxes. Virginia law (§ 58.1-3661) requires a full property tax exemption for any solar system rated at 25 kW or less, which covers nearly all residential installations. This has been automatic statewide since 2022.
Virginia homeowners also earn Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) worth roughly $27 each for every 1,000 kWh produced. On a typical system, that's an extra $324–$378 per year. We handle SREC registration for you. Virginia also offers a sales tax exemption on solar equipment for cash purchases.
Your Utility
Dominion Energy in the Richmond Metro
The entire Richmond metro area is served by Dominion Energy, Virginia's largest utility. This is good news for solar — Dominion has strong net metering policies and a flexible approach to system sizing that makes solar work well for most homes.
Rates are going up
Dominion residential rates currently run approximately 15¢/kWh, all-in. After years of stable pricing, the SCC approved Dominion's first base rate increase since 1992 in November 2025, adding $11.24/month for a typical customer effective January 2026, with another $2.36/month increase coming January 2027 — and the trend is heading upward.
For Richmond homeowners, this means every year you wait to go solar, you're paying more to the utility. Locking in your energy costs now — whether through a cash purchase or $0-down TPO — protects you from future rate hikes.
Net metering: full 1-to-1 credits
Dominion offers full 1:1 retail rate net metering with 12-month annual netting. When your panels produce more than you use, you earn credits at the full retail rate. Credits roll over month to month within a 12-month cycle, resetting on your interconnection anniversary date. Learn more about how net metering works.
Interconnection anniversary date
Dominion resets your net metering credits to zero on your anniversary date each year. If you have billed usage over the year, they'll raise your allowable cap; excess credits will lower it. We recommend setting your anniversary to March or April, when winter has used up banked credits and spring production is ramping up. A September or October anniversary can be especially painful, as credits get wiped right before the high-usage winter months.
The 150% sizing rule
Dominion allows solar systems to produce up to 150% of your expected annual usage. This is a huge advantage for homeowners who are planning to add an electric vehicle, upgrade to a heat pump, or expect their energy needs to grow. We can design a system today that's ready for tomorrow's usage.
Standby charges: we design around them
Systems larger than 15 kW AC trigger Dominion's standby charges, which can add $40–$110/month. These charges can destroy the economics of solar if you're not aware of them. We are meticulous in our system design to avoid this threshold. Read our full breakdown of standby fees.
Starting July 1, 2026, new legislation will raise the threshold to 20 kW AC, giving more flexibility for larger Richmond homes.
Get a free solar quote for your Richmond-area 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
- Dominion net metering details
Solar in Richmond: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does solar cost in the Richmond area?
Residential solar in Virginia typically costs $2.75 to $3.50 per watt before incentives. A typical 8–10 kW system for a Richmond-area home runs $22,000–$35,000 before incentives. With TPO, you can go solar with $0 down and a monthly payment that's typically less than your current Dominion bill. Get a free assessment for an accurate quote.
What's the payback period for solar in Richmond?
For cash purchases, most Richmond-area homeowners see a payback period of 8–12 years, with free electricity for the remaining 15–20+ years after that. With Dominion's recent rate increases, payback periods are getting shorter. SRECs add another ~$400/year in income, further improving your return.
Will solar increase my property taxes?
No. Since 2022, Virginia law (§ 58.1-3661) requires a full property tax exemption for residential solar systems rated at 25 kW or less. This applies statewide and is automatic — your solar system won't increase your property tax assessment, even though it adds value to your home.
What about Dominion's standby charges?
Dominion charges additional monthly fees for systems larger than 15 kW AC. These standby charges can add $40–$110/month, which can seriously hurt your solar economics. We design every system to stay below this threshold. Starting July 1, 2026, the threshold moves to 20 kW AC, giving more room for larger systems.
How long does the permitting process take in Richmond?
Permitting timelines vary by locality, but the Richmond metro is generally fast. Henrico County is particularly efficient with next-day inspections. The full process from contract to system activation — including permitting, installation, and utility approval — typically takes 2–3 months. We handle all the paperwork.
Can I add a battery to my solar system?
Absolutely. We install battery backup systems alongside solar for homeowners who want power during grid outages. You can also add a battery later. If backup power is a priority, let us know upfront so we can design your system accordingly.
Are there HOA restrictions for solar in the Richmond area?
Virginia law prevents HOAs from banning solar installations, though they may have reasonable restrictions on placement. Many Richmond-area subdivisions have HOAs, and we're experienced in working with them. We handle the HOA approval process 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. 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.”
