The Convert Solar Blog

On April 30, 2026, the Virginia State Corporation Commission settled a question that had left homeowners across Chesterfield County waiting on the sidelines: whether full retail-rate net metering would survive for new residential solar customers. It did. So is now the...

John Harrison, a homeowner in Suffolk, installed a 9.9 kW system that now offsets about 95% of his electricity use, with an estimated $55,390 in savings projected over 30 years. That's a real, documented result. Before you can figure out what solar might do for your...

Is solar worth it in Virginia? For a growing number of homeowners, the honest answer is yes, and the reason has less to do with your household than with what's happening on the grid around you.  Your electric bill isn't climbing because of anything you did. It's...

If you are searching for the best solar company Virginia has to offer, start by asking the right questions before choosing an installer in Lynchburg. Confirm the company’s Virginia contractor license, whether the installation crew is in-house or subcontracted, what...

Short Pump homeowners are turning to solar in 2026 because two things changed at once: Virginia's State Corporation Commission reaffirmed full retail-rate net metering in April 2026, and rising electricity rates show no sign of reversing. Combined with Short Pump's...

If you're planning a solar installation and own, or expect to own, an electric vehicle, EV charger installation services are worth considering before your project begins. Bundling both installations is typically more cost-effective, avoids a second permit process, and...

Solar financing Richmond VA options give homeowners flexible ways to install solar based on their budget, financial goals, and preferred ownership structure. Whether you're considering a cash purchase, a solar loan, or a solar lease, understanding how each option...

If you are researching solar savings in Virginia, the main question is simple: Will solar panels actually save you money? For many homeowners, the answer is yes. However, your savings depend on your electricity usage, system size, roof conditions, utility rates, Net...

If you've noticed more solar panels on roofs around Suffolk this summer, you're not imagining it. Residential solar in Suffolk is growing, and 2026 has brought several local factors driving more homeowners to make the switch. This guide explains what's happening in...

If you're considering solar, you may be wondering whether home battery storage in Virginia is worth adding to your system. A home battery stores excess solar energy for later use, helping power essential appliances during certain outages, increasing your solar...

Virginia solar consumer protection laws are strengthening as residential solar grows and more homeowners encounter aggressive sales tactics, unclear financing terms, and inflated savings claims. Beginning January 1, 2027, SB 823 and HB 1439 require solar companies to...

Learning how to lower electric bill in summer often starts with the same frustrating moment: you open the bill, stare at the total, and wonder how your monthly electricity costs climbed so high. For Virginia homeowners, that question matters more in 2026. Triple-digit...

The average solar installation timeline in Lynchburg is 6–8 weeks from signed agreement to installation. Afterward, Appalachian Power may take up to 30 additional days to issue Permission to Operate. Permitting, inspections, and utility review can affect timing, but...

When choosing a solar company Chesapeake VA, homeowners often compare national installers with local Virginia companies. National brands may offer speed and scale, while local solar companies often provide stronger support with permitting, design, SRECs, warranties,...

When choosing a solar company Chesapeake VA, homeowners often compare national installers with local Virginia companies. National brands may offer speed and scale, while local solar companies often provide stronger support with permitting, design, SRECs, warranties,...

Many Lynchburg homeowners assume cloudy weather makes residential solar less practical. In reality, solar panels for residential homes in Lynchburg still produce power on cloudy days, and local production estimates already account for Central Virginia’s weather...

Net metering Virginia 2026 remains protected, giving Suffolk homeowners full 1:1 retail-rate credits, 12-month banking, and free interconnection after the State Corporation Commission rejected the proposed NEM 2.0 overhaul. This guide explains how net metering...

Residential solar in Richmond changed in 2026. The 30% federal tax credit is gone, but solar can still make financial sense for many homeowners. Richmond gets strong sunlight, net metering remains protected, utility costs are rising, and Virginia’s new solar credit...

Researching the cost of solar panels in Chesapeake, VA usually comes down to one question:  What would solar cost for my home? Your final price depends on your electric bill, home size, roof layout, sun exposure, equipment, financing, and system size. This guide...

A solar panel warranty in Virginia is crucial yet often overlooked. Nearly every proposal touts a “25-year warranty,” but coverage, backing, and claim handling vary widely. Homeowners usually discover the differences only when problems arise years later. Residential...

After more than 14 years and over 7,000 completed installations, our solar installer Virginia experience has taught us that the biggest factors behind a successful solar project are rarely the ones homeowners expect.  While many people focus on panel brands,...

Homeowners researching solar panels cloudy days Virginia performance are usually trying to answer one important question: if Virginia experiences cloudy weather throughout the year, especially during winter, will a solar system still generate enough electricity to...

The local vs. national solar company question matters more in Virginia now. National installers often quote about 10% higher than local installers, and recent solar bankruptcies have shown how much long-term warranty support matters. This is not a takedown of national...

Solar panels on a small home in Virginia work, and the assumption that your roof is probably too small is the single most common reason Hampton Roads homeowners never find out whether their specific home qualifies. A 5 kW system in Virginia costs approximately $13,262...

Calculating exact solar panel costs often frustrates homeowners searching for a clear price. Asking for a straightforward number usually results in vague ranges or high-pressure sales calls. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to budget for home energy...

Solar panels installed in Virginia Beach face hurricane risk, and if you are researching this question, you probably already know it. Hampton Roads has lived through Isabel (2003), Floyd (1999), Charley (1986), and Dorian (2019). These are part of the reason some...

The best solar company in Virginia for a Hampton Roads homeowner in 2026 holds a Class A contractor licence with an Alternative Energy Systems designation, employs NABCEP-certified installers, provides a 25-year workmanship warranty, and uses in-house crews with a...

If you're researching solar panels HOA Virginia Beach, you're probably asking one question: Can my HOA stop me from installing solar panels? In most cases, the answer is no. Under Virginia Code § 55.1-1820.1, a homeowners association cannot prohibit solar panel...

Here is the most important thing to know before you read any further: the physical installation of a solar system takes one to two days. The six-to-twelve-week timeline you have probably seen quoted online is permit review and utility processing time. Almost all of it...

Virginia solar incentives 2026 are still worth understanding, even after the federal residential ITC expired on December 31, 2025. Homeowners can still benefit from SCC-protected net metering, Virginia SRECs, property and sales tax exemptions, and the expanded 525 MW...

Virginia Beach electricity rates 2026 are frustrating homeowners because many are using the same amount of power, or even less, but still seeing higher bills. Rates now average about $0.13–$0.16 per kWh, with typical monthly bills between $150 and $185 due to base...

The 30% federal Investment Tax Credit expired December 31, 2025. Any solar quote that buries that fact isn't giving you a useful number, so let's start there. What remains is 25-year savings of $42,339–$52,138 depending on system size and location, with Hampton Roads...

Glen Goodman's Virginia Beach home now produces more electricity than it uses. John Harrison in Suffolk cut his Dominion Energy bill by 95%. Laura Kippes, who had already signed a contract with a different solar company before it fell through, saved $117,436 over 30...

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,...

If you're a Virginia homeowner researching solar, you probably have more questions than answers, and you've probably already encountered at least one solar company that felt more like a high-pressure sales operation than a trustworthy advisor. This guide is something...

https://youtu.be/Xq2ngfwBA1M John Harrison and his wife made the decision to embrace solar energy when they moved to Suffolk, Virginia. With 27 solar panels installed by Convert Solar, the Harrisons have been enjoying the benefits of clean energy and reduced utility...

https://youtu.be/OsOB_aVxf1A Glenn Goodman made a game-changing decision for his home in Virginia Beach—he partnered with Convert Solar to install 40 solar panels on his personal residence, resulting in a powerful 17.2 kW system. Reflecting on the significant...

Solar energy is one of the hottest topics today when it comes to the various types of renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Solar power is one of the most popular renewable energy sources  that can not only help reduce your carbon footprint, but can also...

The Benefits of Solar Power. Energy is something the world and its population rely on to live and function. Every time we turn on a light, plug in appliances, etc., we’re using energy. That energy can come from non-renewable sources or renewable ones. Solar power is...

You’ve taken the time to do the research and have made the important decision to go solar in order to completely offset your monthly utility bill. The next big question that comes up is how to know how many solar panels your home will need to achieve your goal. The...

Just about anyone you ask will tell you that installing solar panels on your home can save you money. But exactly how much solar panels in Virginia Beach cost is a different story. That leads to the next question: is the upfront installation cost worth it in the long...