Quick Answer: Shared solar Virginia programs let Richmond-area residents subscribe to an off-site solar project and receive bill credits, without installing panels on their roof. Eligible renters, condo owners, and homeowners in Dominion Energy Virginia’s territory may participate when an approved subscription is available. In 2026, the program is expanding by 525 MW of capacity, making it worth checking eligibility if you were previously waitlisted.
Not every Richmond home is suited for rooftop solar. Renting, limited roof space, poor orientation, or heavy tree cover can make installation difficult. Shared solar offers another option: subscribe to an off-site project and receive credits for your share of its energy production.
This guide explains how shared solar works, who qualifies, how billing credits work, what it costs, what changed in 2026, and how it compares with rooftop solar.
What Is Shared Solar in Virginia?
Shared solar Virginia lets residents receive credits for solar energy without installing or owning panels. A private developer or nonprofit, known as a subscriber organization, operates the solar project, while residents subscribe to a portion of its output.
Virginia established the legal framework in 2020 under Va. Code § 56-594.3. For Richmond residents, shared solar is available through the Dominion Energy Shared Solar Program, since Richmond is within Dominion Energy’s service territory.
The key difference from rooftop solar is simple: no panels or equipment on your property. Instead, your share of the solar project’s production appears as a credit on your utility bill.
How Does Shared Solar Work for Richmond Residents?
The process takes five basic steps:
- Find an eligible project. Availability depends on current capacity from subscriber organizations in Dominion’s service territory.
- Choose a subscription. You agree to a subscription based on your household’s electricity use and the project’s terms.
- The project generates power. Solar energy is produced off-site and fed into the electric grid.
- You receive bill credits. Your Dominion Energy bill includes a credit based on your share of the project’s production.
- Your electricity service stays the same. Power continues reaching your home through the grid, you don’t switch providers or go off-grid.
No rooftop installation is required. That’s the main advantage of shared solar.
For 2026, new authorized capacity is expanding availability beyond the original 200 MW program, which had been heavily subscribed. However, openings still depend on the specific project and subscriber organization.
Who Can Benefit From Shared Solar?
Virginia’s shared solar program is designed for people who can’t, or don’t want to, install solar on their property. This can include:
- Renters who can’t modify the property
- Condo owners with installation restrictions
- Homeowners with heavily shaded roofs
- Homes with older, unsuitable, or poorly oriented roofs
- Properties with limited usable roof space
- Anyone who doesn’t want panels installed on their property
Yes, renters and condo owners can subscribe. You don’t have to own a single-family home to participate. Homeowners with a suitable roof can also consider rooftop solar, which puts the system directly on their property and may allow battery storage.
Shared Solar vs. Rooftop Solar in Richmond
| Feature | Shared Solar | Rooftop Solar |
| Panels installed on your property | No | Yes |
| Suitable for renters | Yes | Usually not possible |
| Requires a suitable roof | No | Yes |
| System ownership | No, you subscribe, you don’t own the facility | Depends on your purchase or financing arrangement |
| Utility bill credits | Bill credit calculated under the applicable SCC-approved utility rate; subscription charges are established by the subscriber organization | Based on Virginia’s Net Metering rules for your own system’s excess production |
| Battery storage integration | Not available, you don’t control the off-site system | Can be added to a home system for backup power |
| Installation required at your home | No | Yes |
| Energy production at your home | No, electricity comes from an off-site project | Yes, panels generate power at your property |
The right option depends on your property and what you want to achieve. Shared solar can work if you can’t or don’t want to install panels on your home. If you have a suitable roof and want a system on your property, with the potential to add battery storage for backup, rooftop solar is another option to consider.
How Do Shared Solar Credits Work on Your Electric Bill?
The process is simple: the shared solar project generates electricity → power goes to the grid → you receive a bill credit based on your subscription and the project’s energy production.
This differs from rooftop solar net metering. With shared solar, you receive credits from an off-site solar project. With net metering, you receive credits for excess electricity produced by your own rooftop system.
Before subscribing, keep these points in mind:
- Subscription limits: Your subscription is generally sized around your expected electricity use, so you can’t simply subscribe to enough solar to eliminate your entire bill.
- Minimum bill: Most subscribers are still responsible for a minimum bill, while qualifying low-income subscribers may be exempt under current program rules.
- Fees and terms vary: Subscription and administrative fees can differ by provider, so review the specific agreement before signing.
What Does Virginia Shared Solar Cost?
Shared solar pricing varies by subscriber organization. You may see:
- A monthly subscription fee
- Per-kWh pricing based on the project’s production
- Additional administrative or subscription fees
Before enrolling, check the:
- Monthly cost compared with your expected bill credit
- Contract length and cancellation terms
- Any price increases or escalation clauses
- Minimum subscription requirements
- Transfer options if you move
- Whether projected savings are estimated or guaranteed
Some organizations may offer no signup or cancellation fees, but those terms aren’t universal. Review the specific agreement before enrolling. Rooftop solar works differently. Instead of subscribing to an off-site project, you pay for a system installed on your property, with costs typically calculated by system size and installation price.
Shared Solar Virginia: Program Rules and Changes in 2026
In 2026, Virginia expanded its shared solar capacity, creating new opportunities for residents who previously encountered waitlists. The original program was capped at about 200 MW, while new legislation authorized an additional 525 MW of capacity.
The new capacity includes:
- 450 MW for projects serving up to 51% low-income subscribers
- 75 MW for projects serving more than 51% low-income subscribers
Qualifying low-income subscribers also receive an exemption from the program’s minimum bill requirement. State officials have reported typical savings of 10% or more per month, but savings depend on the specific subscription and shouldn’t be treated as guaranteed.
If you checked shared solar in Richmond previously and found no availability, the 2026 expansion makes it worth checking again.
Is Shared Solar Worth It for Richmond Homeowners?
There’s no universal answer. The better choice depends on your property and what you want from solar.
Shared solar may be a good fit if you:
- Rent your home
- Have a shaded or unsuitable roof
- Don’t want equipment installed on your property
- Want to participate in solar without installing a system
Rooftop solar may be a better fit if you:
- Own a home with a suitable roof
- Want to generate solar power on-site
- Want more control over the system and financing
- Want the option to add battery storage for backup power
Neither option is automatically cheaper or better. Shared solar removes the need for a rooftop installation, while rooftop solar offers greater control over your own system.
What Richmond Residents Should Check Before Signing Up
If you’re considering a shared solar subscription, review these before committing:
- Project operator (subscriber organization) — who runs the project
- Project location — confirm it’s within Dominion’s Virginia territory
- Eligibility requirements — confirm you qualify under that project’s specific terms
- Subscription price — monthly fee, per-kWh rate, or both
- Bill-credit calculation — how your credit is determined
- Contract length — how long you’re committed
- Cancellation policy — fees or notice periods required to exit
- Transferability — what happens if you move within or outside Dominion’s territory
- Administrative fees — any charges beyond the base subscription
- Escalation clauses — whether your price can increase over time
- Customer service reputation — how the organization handles support and billing issues
- Whether savings are estimated or guaranteed — don’t assume a projected number is locked in
For the current list of eligible projects and subscriber organizations serving Dominion’s territory, Virginia SCC’s Shared Solar resources and Dominion Energy’s own program page are the most reliable, neutral starting points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Virginia’s Shared Solar program?
It allows utility customers to subscribe to an off-site solar project and receive bill credits based on their share of its energy production—without installing panels on their property.
Do I need solar panels on my roof to participate?
No. The solar facility is located and operated off-site, so nothing needs to be installed at your home.
Can renters or condo owners participate?
Yes. Renters, condo owners, and homeowners with unsuitable roofs can participate.
What’s the difference between Shared Solar and Richmond’s Switch Together program?
Shared Solar lets you access solar without installing a system. Switch Together helps eligible residents purchase rooftop solar and battery systems through a group-buying program. The better option depends on whether you want to avoid rooftop equipment or install your own system.
Can you provide a guide to installing solar panels?
A typical Virginia rooftop installation includes consultation, roof assessment, system design, permitting, utility interconnection, installation, inspection, and Permission to Operate.
What solar incentives are available in Virginia in 2026?
Virginia offers a property-tax exemption for qualifying solar systems up to 25 kW and a state sales-tax exemption for qualifying solar equipment. Rooftop systems may also qualify for net metering. The federal 30% residential clean energy tax credit expired December 31, 2025, so it isn’t available for new residential installations in 2026.
Explore Your Solar Options in Richmond
Whether shared solar or rooftop solar is the better fit depends on your home, energy use, and goals. If your roof is suitable, rooftop solar gives you direct control of the system, its energy production, and the option to add battery storage.
Convert Solar has completed 8,500+ installations across Virginia and Maryland, has been recognized by Solar Power World as a Top Solar Contractor for six consecutive years (2021–2026), and offers a 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty covering materials and workmanship.
If you’re considering rooftop solar, start with a no-obligation assessment of your roof and electricity usage. Bring your latest electric bill and your questions, we’ll help you understand your options.
