The Convert Solar Blog

Quick Answer: With solar and battery storage outage backup, your home stays powered because the system separates your house from the grid the moment power fails. The battery then runs your chosen circuits as a small, self-contained power system. In daylight, your...

Lynchburg electricity costs in 2026 come to about $170 a month for a home using 1,000 kWh. That figure comes from the Virginia residential bill Appalachian Power (APCo) published, effective September 24, 2026. It works out to roughly 17 cents per kWh before local and...

Virginia shared solar 2026 changes add 525 megawatts (MW) of new capacity in Dominion Energy Virginia territory and 100 MW for Appalachian Power through 2028. More homeowners can now subscribe to a nearby solar farm and receive monthly bill credits. Savings depend on...

A Virginia home that uses about 12,000 kWh of electricity annually might need a solar system around 9 kW, estimated to produce roughly 12,000 kWh per year under the stated modeling assumptions. Actual system size and production will vary based on roof conditions,...

Lynchburg homeowners pay zero property tax on qualifying home solar panels. Under the Virginia solar property tax exemption in Va. Code § 58.1-3661(A), a home system rated 25 kW DC or less is wholly exempt from state and local property tax. Your Lynchburg tax bill...

Yes, it can make sense to install solar in fall in Virginia. Mild weather suits roof work, and installers often have lighter schedules after the spring and summer rush. A fall start usually has your system approved and producing by late winter, ahead of the sunniest...

After you sign, the solar installation process Virginia homeowners follow moves through design, permits, utility approval, installation, inspection, and Permission to Operate (PTO). Roof work takes 1 to 3 days. Most of the calendar goes to paperwork and approvals, so...

Virginia homeowners can use one solar credit program per utility account, so shared solar and rooftop solar work as an either/or choice on the same account. State rules keep shared solar subscribers off Net Metering, the program that credits rooftop panels. Both...

Yes, solar savings after tax credit are still within reach for Virginia homeowners. Your panels keep offsetting the power you would otherwise buy from your utility. Virginia net metering also credits the power you send to the grid at the retail rate, one for one. The...

Quick Answer: For homeowners searching for solar panels hurricane Virginia, the short answer is that properly installed rooftop panels usually stay attached and undamaged through the storms Virginia typically gets. The bigger change is your power: most grid-tied...

Quick Answer: In the solar vs battery backup comparison, each one does a different job: solar panels generate electricity and lower what you buy from the grid, while a battery stores electricity and keeps selected circuits running when the grid goes down. A standard...

Quick Answer: For most Virginia homes, the answer to "do solar panels work during power outages" is no. A standard grid-tied solar system shuts off automatically when the utility grid goes down, even at noon on a clear day, because its inverter is required to stop...

Quick Answer: Solar panels in winter Virginia weather keep producing electricity, but they make less of it: a typical system generates about half as much in December as it does in July. Shorter days and a lower sun cause the drop. Cold air does not, and panels convert...

Quick Answer: The solar panel maintenance Virginia homeowners need before winter is a visual inspection from the ground plus a review of the monitoring app. You are checking six things: the panel surface, new shade, the mounts and roofline, signs of wildlife,...

Quick Answer: A brief fall check can help Virginia homeowners spot visible debris, monitoring alerts, new shade, or storm damage before winter. Clear what you can safely reach from the ground and confirm your monitoring app is reporting normally. Anything requiring...

Quick Answer: Virginia’s RGGI participation requirements resumed on July 1, 2026, under legislation enacted in April 2026, resolving a key issue in the Virginia RGGI rejoin debate. The return reversed former Gov. Glenn Youngkin's 2023 exit, and Virginia took part in...

Quick Answer: PJM Interconnection delays Virginia solar projects less at the study stage than it used to, but the wait hasn't disappeared. Its reformed cycle is designed to be a one- to two-year process, depending on the impact of an individual project. Network...

Quick Answer: Partly. Virginia is building clean energy faster than ever, but it is not on pace to retire every fossil fuel plant by 2045. Our Virginia Clean Economy Act progress 2045 check-in found gains: offshore wind began delivering power in March 2026, and...

Brightfields solar on Virginia coal mines means building solar farms on reclaimed surface mine land instead of clearing forests or farmland, and Southwest Virginia is emerging as an early testing ground for the model. Wise County's Mineral Gap array is the first...

Quick Answer: Battery storage (BESS) in Virginia solar projects is growing fast for two reasons: state law now requires Virginia's two largest investor-owned utilities to expand energy storage to a combined 21,000 MW, and a 2026 law lets batteries be added to parcels...

Quick Answer: SB 347 HB 711 Virginia solar siting laws, effective July 1, 2026, create statewide standards for reviewing and permitting ground-mounted solar projects 1 MW or larger. The laws replace inconsistent local ordinances with a uniform special exception...

Quick Answer: The agrivoltaics Virginia law, HB 508 and SB 340, signed June 17, 2026, formally defines agrivoltaics as the intentional co-location of agricultural production and solar energy generation on the same land.  A solar project can no longer count as...

Quick Answer: Solar scams Virginia consumer protection starts with recognizing a few repeatable warning signs: false utility-affiliation claims, same-day signing pressure, and vague or inflated savings promises. Virginia gives homeowners concrete ways to verify a...

Quick answer: Starting January 1, 2027, renters in Virginia can use plug-in balcony solar systems up to 1,200 watts without permits, utility approval, or landlord veto in most rental properties. Balcony solar won’t power an entire apartment, but it can help renters...

Quick Answer: Solar panel maintenance Lynchburg VA homeowners should prioritize in fall includes inspecting panels, clearing debris, and checking battery settings before shorter winter days arrive. Seasonal maintenance helps identify issues early and prepare your...

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...

Quick answer: Community solar Virginia 2026 changes are here, the program cap has jumped from 250 MW to 875 MW under legislation signed by Gov. Abigail Spanberger, effective July 1, 2026. The expansion, split between Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power territories,...

Quick Answer: The Switch Together Virginia deadline is November 18 2026. Homeowners who enroll by then can access the program’s discounted reverse-auction solar pricing, which has delivered average savings of 23%, or about $6,300, for participating households. Some...

Quick Answer: Is solar worth it in Virginia in 2026? For most homeowners, yes, but the math behind that answer changed this year. The federal residential tax credit that used to cover 30% of a homeowner-owned system's cost expired for anything installed after December...

Quick answer: How Glen Allen homeowners can lower high electric bills with solar comes down to two things working together: a rooftop system sized to the home's usage, and Virginia's net metering program, which credits any surplus power back against the bill. Battery...

Quick Answer: Data center power demand solar Virginia trends have become the single biggest force reshaping the state's electric grid, and they're the main reason Dominion Energy is now building solar and battery storage faster than at any point in its history. ...

Quick Answer: Preparing your Bon Air home for solar requires evaluating three core areas before signing: roof condition, electrical panel capacity, and local permit/HOA/utility approvals. While on-site installation takes only 1–3 days, background approvals account for...

Quick Answer: Is solar battery storage worth it in Virginia? For most homeowners, it’s most valuable for backup power, since Virginia’s Net Metering already gives strong credit for excess solar production. With battery systems typically starting around $18,000,...

Quick Answer: This residential solar installation guide for Virginia homeowners covers what you need to know before going solar. Residential solar typically costs around $2.65 per watt before incentives, with purchase, loan, and lease options, while installation from...

Quick Answer: Commercial solar installation in Virginia Beach can help businesses lower their reliance on utility electricity, stabilize long-term energy costs, and put unused roof or land space to work generating power. Whether it makes financial sense depends on...

When homeowners search for Virginia net metering explained, what they usually want to know is simple: what happens to the extra electricity their solar panels produce? In most cases, that excess energy is sent to the grid and converted into bill credits that help...

If you're searching for a solar installer you can trust in Virginia, the panels themselves are the easiest part of the decision, nearly every reputable brand performs similarly. What determines whether your system is sized correctly, permitted correctly, and still...

If you're asking how much you can save with solar panels in Virginia, the honest answer is: it depends on your usage, your roof, and how you finance the system. That said, the underlying math is knowable, and this guide walks through exactly what determines your...

If you're wondering what to expect from a solar installation company in Glen Allen before you sign anything, here's the short version: the process typically takes several weeks from signing to activation, but the actual installation at your home usually takes only a...

If you're comparing quotes for a full-service solar installation, it helps to know exactly what that phrase should mean before you sign anything. Going solar isn't a single transaction like buying an appliance, it's a multi-stage process that spans design,...

The latest Dominion Energy rate increase will raise long-term electricity costs for Virginia homeowners: the SCC-approved increase adds $11.24 a month to the average residential bill starting in 2026, with another $2.36 a month in 2027.  This Dominion Energy rate...

Here's solar warranty coverage explained simply: a solar installation company in Virginia Beach should clearly explain that "warranty" isn't one thing. A solar system typically comes with several separate warranties, including equipment, performance, workmanship, and...

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...