Solar panels in Virginia Beach are one of the most effective ways Hampton Roads homeowners can escape rising Dominion Energy bills, and 2026 is the best year yet to make the move.
Dominion Energy received its first base rate increase in over 30 years in January 2026, $11.24 more per month on your bill. A second increase of $2.36 per month is already locked in for January 2027. The average Hampton Roads household’s electricity bill is now heading toward $178 per month and rising, driven by data center demand, grid strain, and utility capital costs you didn’t vote for and can’t opt out of.
There is one reliable way to reduce, and in many cases eliminate, your dependence on Dominion Energy’s rates: install solar panels on your Virginia Beach home.
This guide covers everything Virginia Beach homeowners need to know in 2026: real installation costs, available incentives, how much you can realistically save, and what separates a good solar installation from a great one. It’s written by the team at Convert Solar, a Virginia Beach-based solar installer with over 7,000 installations across the state and 13 years of in-house experience serving Hampton Roads homeowners just like you.
Your Dominion bill isn’t going down on its own. Find out exactly what solar will save on your specific Virginia Beach home.
- Virginia Beach homeowners can use solar to offset 80–100% of Dominion Energy bills, especially as rates keep rising.
- Typical systems cost $18,000–$32,000 before incentives, or about $12,600–$22,400 after the 30% federal tax credit.
- Key 2026 savings drivers include the 30% ITC, Virginia SRECs, Dominion net metering, and $0 down financing.
- Solar is most worth it for homeowners with $130–$200+ monthly bills, usable roof exposure, and minimal shading.
- Convert Solar is a local Virginia Beach installer with 7,000+ installations, in-house crews, and a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Why Virginia Beach Is One of Virginia’s Best Cities for Solar
Virginia Beach sits in a favorable solar position. The city receives an average of 4.6 peak sun hours per day, enough to make residential solar financially viable on most south-, west-, or east-facing roofs. Hampton Roads’ flat topography and the absence of heavy canopy cover in most residential neighborhoods mean more usable sunlight and fewer shading obstacles than in other parts of the state.
Virginia’s climate also works in solar’s favor. The mild shoulder seasons, spring and fall, generate strong, consistent solar production without the heat loss that affects panels in more extreme climates. And Virginia’s net metering program, administered through Dominion Energy, means excess power your panels produce during peak daylight hours credits directly against your monthly bill.
Combine those conditions with Virginia’s growing incentive package, the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Virginia’s SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credit) program, and access to $0 down financing, and Virginia Beach homeowners have a genuinely strong case for solar in 2026.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Virginia Beach in 2026?
Before incentives, the typical Virginia Beach home solar installation costs between $18,000 and $32,000. System size drives the majority of that range. Here is how it breaks down:
| System Size | Avg. Home Size | Gross Cost | After 30% ITC |
| 6–8 kW | 1,400–1,800 sq ft | $18,000–$24,000 | $12,600–$16,800 |
| 8–10 kW | 1,800–2,400 sq ft | $24,000–$29,000 | $16,800–$20,300 |
| 10–14 kW | 2,400–3,500 sq ft | $29,000–$32,000+ | $20,300–$22,400+ |
These figures are based on real Virginia installations. Your exact cost depends on roof pitch, shading, electrical panel condition, and your current Dominion Energy consumption. Convert Solar provides a free, no-obligation quote that produces a system-specific cost and savings projection before you commit to anything.
Virginia Solar Incentives and Tax Credits in 2026
The Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), 30% Through 2032
The federal solar Investment Tax Credit is currently 30% of your total system cost. On a $25,000 system, that is a $7,500 credit applied directly to your federal tax bill, a credit. The 30% rate is confirmed through 2032 by the Inflation Reduction Act. If your federal tax liability in year one is less than the credit amount, the remaining balance carries forward to future tax years. Speak with a tax professional about your specific situation.
Virginia SRECs, Ongoing Earning Potential
Virginia’s Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) program pays homeowners for the clean energy their panels produce. Each megawatt-hour (MWh) of solar generation earns one SREC, which can be sold through Virginia’s SREC market. For a typical 10 kW system producing 12–14 MWh annually, this represents meaningful ongoing income on top of your monthly bill savings.
Net Metering With Dominion Energy
Virginia’s net metering policy requires Dominion Energy to credit your account at the full retail rate for any excess power your solar system sends to the grid. If your panels produce more than your home uses on a sunny day, that surplus rolls forward as a credit against future bills, including months when your panels produce less (winter, extended cloud cover).
$0 Down Financing Through GoodLeap
Convert Solar offers $0 down financing through GoodLeap, one of the country’s most established solar lenders. This means you can install a full system with no upfront cost and, in many cases, immediately pay less per month in loan payments than you currently pay Dominion Energy. Your solar payment stays fixed. Dominion’s does not.
How Much Can Virginia Beach Homeowners Save With Solar?
It depends on your consumption, your system size, and which way your roof faces. But here is what real Convert Solar customers in Hampton Roads have experienced:
| Customer | Location | Bill Offset | System Size | 30-Yr Savings |
| Glen Goodman | Virginia Beach | 103% | n/a | n/a |
| John Harrison | Suffolk | 95% | n/a | n/a |
| Laura Kippes | Hampton Roads | 83% | n/a | $117,436 |
The typical Virginia Beach homeowner with a properly sized system can expect to offset 80–100% of their Dominion Energy bill. Payback periods in Virginia currently range from 7 to 9 years, after which your system produces effectively free electricity for the remaining 16+ years of its warranted life.
Find out what solar panels will cost, and save, on your specific Virginia Beach home.
How Solar Panels Work in Hampton Roads
A residential solar system has three main components: the solar panels themselves, an inverter that converts DC electricity to usable AC power, and your home’s electrical panel. Here is the simplified version of what happens on a typical Hampton Roads day:
- Sunlight hits your solar panels and generates direct current (DC) electricity
- Your inverter converts DC to alternating current (AC), the type your home runs on
- Your home uses solar power first, the grid is a backup
- When your panels produce more than you use, the surplus goes to the grid and credits your Dominion account (net metering)
- At night or on low-production days, you draw from the grid, but your overall consumption, and bill, is dramatically lower
Optional battery storage (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase IQ Battery) adds a layer of backup power: when the grid goes down, storm, outage, whatever the cause, your home keeps running on stored solar energy. In Hampton Roads, where coastal weather events are a real consideration, battery backup is worth discussing with your installer.
Why Virginia Beach Homeowners Choose Convert Solar
Convert Solar was founded in 2012 by Chad Wilkins in Virginia Beach, VA. Over 13 years, the company has installed 7,000+ solar systems across Virginia, more than any other locally owned contractor in the state. Convert Solar holds a 4.8-star Google rating across 544 verified reviews and has been named to Solar Power World’s Top Contractors list for five consecutive years (2021–2025).
Convert Solar is not a national franchise. Every installation, from the initial site assessment to the final utility inspection, is completed by Convert Solar’s own in-house team. One point of contact, consistent quality control, and a company that still answers the phone in year 12.
Here is what separates Convert Solar from the competition Virginia Beach homeowners most often compare:
| Convert Solar | Typical National Chain | |
| In business in Virginia since | 2012 (13 years) | Varies, many <5 yrs |
| Installation team | 100% in-house | Subcontracted |
| Warranty | 25-year bumper-to-bumper (parts + labor) | Varies, often manufacturer only |
| NABCEP certified | Yes, on staff | Not always |
| Google rating | 4.8★ (544 reviews) | Varies |
| Financing | $0 down via GoodLeap | $0 down, terms vary |
| Industry rank | Solar Power World Top 200 (2025) | — |
Convert Solar’s 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty covers parts and labor. If something goes wrong with your system in year 18, Convert Solar comes out and fixes it at no cost to you. That is not standard in this industry. It is the promise of a company that intends to still be your neighbor in 2040.
Is Solar Worth It in Virginia Beach in 2026?
Yes, for most Virginia Beach homeowners who own their home, have a roof with usable south-, west-, or east-facing exposure, and pay a typical Dominion Energy bill of $130–$200+ per month.
The numbers that drive that conclusion in 2026:
- 30% federal ITC confirmed through 2032, the largest incentive in solar history is still active
- Dominion Energy rates increased $11.24/month in January 2026, with another $2.36 locked in for 2027
- Virginia Beach homeowners in the Convert Solar customer base report 80–103% bill offset
- Typical Virginia payback period: 7–9 years, after which electricity is effectively free for 15+ more years
- Virginia’s SREC program provides ongoing income from solar generation on top of bill savings
- Solar panels add to home value, studies consistently show a premium of 3–4% on solar-equipped homes
Solar is not right for every property. If your roof is heavily shaded, facing north, or nearing the end of its structural life, your quote will reflect that, and Convert Solar will tell you honestly, even if it means not making a sale.
What the Convert Solar Installation Process Looks Like
Convert Solar handles every step in-house, from your first call to your first bill credit with Dominion Energy.
| Step | Stage | What Happens |
| 1 | No-Obligation Quote | Convert Solar reviews your energy consumption, roof, and goals. You receive a site-specific proposal with real cost and savings projections. |
| 2 | System Design | In-house engineers design your system using drone-based roof assessment data. Every design is built around your actual roof. |
| 3 | Permits & Approvals | Convert Solar handles all permitting with Virginia Beach city building department and submits interconnection applications to Dominion Energy, fully managed for you. |
| 4 | Installation | Convert Solar’s in-house installation crew handles the full system installation, typically 1–2 days for residential projects. |
| 5 | Inspection & PTO | City inspection and Dominion Energy interconnection (Permission to Operate) are completed. Convert Solar coordinates both, you do not have to. |
| 6 | You Go Live | Your system activates. You start earning net metering credits from Dominion Energy. Your savings begin. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do solar panels cost in Virginia Beach?
Most Virginia Beach residential solar systems cost between $18,000 and $32,000 before incentives. After the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit, the net cost typically falls to $12,600–$22,400, depending on system size. A 10 kW system, enough to offset most Hampton Roads homes, typically runs $25,000–$29,000 gross, or $17,500–$20,300 after the ITC.
How much can I save on my Dominion Energy bill with solar in Virginia?
Virginia Beach homeowners who install a correctly sized solar system typically offset 80–100% of their Dominion Energy bill. In real Convert Solar customer cases, savings range from 83% to 103% bill offset. On an average $160/month Dominion bill, that means annual savings of $1,600–$1,900, plus growing savings as Dominion rates continue to rise.
What is the payback period for solar panels in Virginia Beach?
The typical payback period for a Virginia Beach solar installation is 7 to 9 years, depending on system size, energy consumption, and available incentives. After payback, your panels continue generating electricity for the remaining life of your 25-year warranty, effectively free power for 16+ years.
What solar incentives are available in Virginia in 2026?
Virginia homeowners in 2026 have access to: the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), confirmed through 2032; Virginia’s SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credit) program, which pays ongoing income for solar generation; and net metering through Dominion Energy, which credits your bill for surplus power. $0 down financing is also available through Convert Solar’s GoodLeap partnership.
Is solar worth it in Virginia Beach?
Yes, for most Virginia Beach homeowners who own their home, pay a Dominion Energy bill of $130 or more per month, and have a roof with usable southern, western, or eastern exposure. Dominion’s approved rate increases, Virginia’s SREC program, the 30% ITC, and net metering together create a compelling financial case for solar in 2026.
How does net metering work with Dominion Energy?
Virginia’s net metering policy requires Dominion Energy to credit your account at the full retail electricity rate for every kilowatt-hour your solar panels send to the grid. Surplus credits roll forward month-to-month. This means summer overproduction effectively pre-pays your winter electricity costs, reducing your annual net bill even in low-production months.
How long does a Virginia Beach solar installation take?
From signed contract to Permission to Operate (PTO) from Dominion Energy, the typical Convert Solar installation takes 6 to 10 weeks. The physical installation itself is usually completed in 1 to 2 days. The majority of the timeline is permitting with Virginia Beach’s building department and Dominion’s interconnection queue.
Does Convert Solar work in Virginia Beach?
Yes. Convert Solar is headquartered in Virginia Beach at 5770 Thurston Ave #106, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. Convert Solar has been installing solar in Hampton Roads and across Virginia since 2012 and has completed over 7,000 residential and commercial installations statewide. Convert Solar’s team handles Virginia Beach installations in-house.
Will solar panels work during a power outage in Virginia Beach?
Standard grid-tied solar panels shut down automatically during a grid outage for safety reasons. If you want backup power during outages, common with Hampton Roads coastal weather, you need battery storage such as the Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery. Convert Solar installs both and can design a system that keeps your home powered when the grid goes down.
How do I know if my Virginia Beach home is a good candidate for solar?
The best way to know is to request a quote. Generally, good solar candidates own their home, pay a monthly Dominion Energy bill of $130 or more, and have a roof that is structurally sound with south-, west-, or east-facing exposure and minimal shade. Convert Solar’s no-obligation quote assesses your property specifically and gives you a real projection before any commitment.
Ready to stop guessing and see your real numbers?
Virginia Beach homeowners are locking in their energy costs while Dominion keeps raising rates. Convert Solar has installed 7,000+ solar systems across Virginia since 2012. We’ll show you exactly what your home qualifies for in 15 minutes.
