How Solar Friendly is Virginia?

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Are you considering solar energy for your home or business in Virginia? If so, you’re probably wondering how solar-friendly the state is. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the details of Virginia’s solar policies and incentives to help you make an informed decision.

Quick Read:

  • Virginia has made significant strides in recent years to become more solar friendly.
  • The state offers several incentives, including rebates and tax credits, to help offset the cost of solar installation.
  • Homeowners and businesses in Virginia can expect to see significant energy cost savings with solar.
  • Virginia’s solar industry is growing rapidly, creating jobs and boosting the economy.

Virginia’s Solar Policies and Incentives

Virginia’s solar policies have improved dramatically over the past few years. In 2020, the state passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), which aims to transition the state to 100% renewable energy by 2045. The VCEA mandates that the state’s utilities generate 100% of their electricity from carbon-free sources by 2045, with intermediate targets of 30% by 2030 and 48% by 2035.

In addition to the VCEA, Virginia offers several incentives to help offset the cost of solar installation. These include:

  • Solar Rebates: Dominion Energy, Virginia’s largest utility, offers rebates of up to $5,500 for residential solar installations and up to $50,000 for commercial installations.
  • Net Metering: Virginia’s net metering policy allows solar customers to earn credits on their utility bills for excess electricity generated by their solar panels.
  • Federal Tax Credit: Homeowners and businesses can claim a federal tax credit of 26% of the cost of solar installation. This credit will decrease to 22% in 2023 and expire completely in 2024, so now is a great time to install solar.

Solar Energy Savings in Virginia

Homeowners and businesses in Virginia can expect to see significant energy cost savings with solar. According to EnergySage, the average homeowner in Virginia can save up to $21,000 over 20 years by installing solar panels. This translates to an average savings of $80 per month on electricity bills.

The Future of Solar in Virginia

Virginia’s solar industry is growing rapidly, creating jobs and boosting the economy. In 2020, the state had over 5,000 solar jobs, a 65% increase from the previous year. The state is also home to several large-scale solar projects, including the largest solar facility in Virginia, the Amazon Solar Farm US East.

Conclusion: Virginia’s Solar Score

Virginia’s solar policies and incentives, combined with the state’s growing solar industry, make it a great place for homeowners and businesses to install solar. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the most solar friendly state), we would give Virginia a score of 8.

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