With several changes happening in the current solar landscape, the Solarize Team remains committed to

making sure you are as informed as possible. Here are some FAQs for 2026. View additional questions further below.

Solarize Virginia FAQs for 2026

  • The reconciliation bill that passed in Congress in 2025 repealed the federal solar tax credit at the end of December of last year. Solarize Virginia 2026 will offer additional options for homeowners who want to benefit from having a solar system installed, but may not be able to purchase it outright without the benefit of the federal tax credit: traditional purchase and solar leasing.

  • Through traditional purchase, homeowners have the option to purchase their system outright or take advantage of financing.

    With this option, you’ll be able to take advantage of any municipal incentives or tax credits, as well as sell SRECS.

    Solarize will continue to offer our discounted per watt negotiated pricing.

  • A solar lease is a third-party ownership model allowing homeowners to install solar panels with $0 to low upfront costs, paying a fixed monthly "rent" for 20–25 years. The leasing company handles maintenance and repairs. The payments typically increase each year. The rate at which your solar lease payment will rise is specified in the escalator clause of your contract, with most escalator rates ranging from 1% to 5% annually. 

    The lease holder owns the SRECs. There are set monthly payments not tied to the production of the system, which is good for budgeting purposes.

    At the end of the term, you typically have the option to: 

    1. Remove the equipment at the company's expense.

    2. Renew the lease agreement.

    3. Purchase the system at fair market value.

  • With a lease, there is less risk, because the lease holder is responsible for maintenance and repair of the system. In the case of a purchased system, there are installers who will service systems they did not install.

  • Solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) are performance-based solar incentives that allow you to earn additional income from your home’s solar energy production.

  • These incentives are only available to homeowners who purchase their system with cash or financing.

  • Net metering allows individuals to reserve excess electricity
    produced for future use. When you produce more energy than you need, the excess will be recorded by your meter as it flows back to the grid and credited to your account for future use. This “bank” resets annually. In a win for ratepayers, in April 2026, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) rejected a proposal by Dominion Energy that would have
    cut net metering benefits and devalued the electricity solar owners produce. This ruling protects full retail compensation for Dominion customers at a 1:1 ratio. If you are not a Dominion customer, your installer can let you know net metering rates, as they vary by provider.

  • Many municipalities offer incentives, such as expedited permitting and property tax credits, that benefit residential solar installations. Visit your municipality’s website and search for “solar incentives” to learn what is available in your area.

  • The 2026 Solarize campaign will run from April 15 - July 15, 2026.

  • There is no fee to sign up for Solarize, and no obligation to move forward until you sign a contract with an installer. Getting a proposal is an important tool to help you make the best decision about solar. If you would like to reduce your dependence on the electric grid, produce your own energy, and see smaller energy bills, solar might be a great fit for you!

    Sign up and get started at solarizeva.org/sign-up!

Frequently
Asked
Questions (cont.)

General

  • Solarize Virginia is a nonprofit program run by LEAP (Local Energy Alliance Program) that makes going solar easy and more affordable for homeowners and small businesses. Solarize Virginia works with local governments and nonprofit partners throughout Virginia to connect program participants with discounted pricing from vetted installers.

  • LEAP (Local Energy Alliance Program) is a nonprofit headquartered in Charlottesville, VA devoted to improving the environment through increased residential and commercial energy efficiency. In addition to running the Solarize program, LEAP performs energy audits and weatherization to reduce users’ energy usage and costs. Learn more at leap-va.org.

  • Streamlined Process
    LEAP simplifies converting to solar. We perform a free satellite assessment to determine if solar is viable for your home. Then we connect you with a vetted installer so you can be confident you’re working with a reputable firm.
    Discounted Rates
    As part of the competitive bidding process, Solarize-affiliated installers agree to offer discounted rates, typically at least 10% lower than the average for your area.
    Expert Advice
    LEAP’s solar experts are here to help you through the process. You can attend one of our informational sessions, reach out with questions, and come to us with customer service concerns.

Can I participate?

  • If you have a south-facing roof that gets plenty of sunlight, then your home is likely solar viable. East/west can work as well, but not all orientations will be viable.

    If you sign up for Solarize, LEAP will perform a free satellite assessment on your property. LEAP takes other factors into account including the age and size of your roof and your home’s overall energy efficiency. Solar installers will conduct further tests for structural soundness and other details.

  • In 2014, the Virginia House of Delegates passed legislation stating that an HOA may not outright restrict the installation of a solar power system, but they are entitled to “reasonable restrictions” such as size, place, and manner of placement. An educational report released in June 2020 by LEAP and ReisingerGooch explains how Virginia’s new law has significantly expanded the rights of homeowners who want to install and use solar energy. The report provides homeowners and HOAs with guidance on Virginia’s solar laws as they evaluate new residential rooftop solar installations. As a part of Solarize, LEAP and ReisingerGooch will be providing legal guidance to all homeowners facing HOA challenges.

  • Yes, a solar system can be installed on a townhome.

  • Of course! We ask that all who are interested in the program fill out our online form to participate. If you’re still interested but not ready to sign a contract with an installer this year, we’ll follow up with you next year.

  • Solarize is available throughout Northen, Southeastern, and Central Virginia, as well as Lynchburg, Roanoke and the surrounding counties. View a complete list and map of Solarize municipalities here.

Upfront costs

  • The cost depends on the number of panels installed and whether your site is suitable for rooftop solar or ground-mounted solar. Ground-mounted systems typically cost more. On average, rooftop solar panels cost between $10,000 – $25,000.

  • On average, the payoff is around 9-12 years. However, with some financing options, the payoff can begin immediately in that your monthly payment on the loan could be less than the amount of money you save on your electric bill. Commercial properties can have an even better payoff due to depreciation.

    The estimated annual returns for solar are around 6% which over 20 years comes to a double in return on investment. An additional savings bonus for solar is that it’s estimated that there will be a 2% annual increase in the cost of electricity.

  • We encourage participants to consult their local financial institutions for financing opportunities. Some installers offer their own in-house financing.

How will it work?

  • Some systems are capable of generating power during outages as long as the sun is out and if there are battery backup systems. “Grid-tied” or interconnected solar PV systems typically do not have battery backup systems. If a power outage occurs, your solar PV system will automatically shut down to protect utility workers.

  • Your system will be “grid-tied”, you will purchase electricity from your electric utility to power your home just as you do now. You will be able to utilize net metering based on prior solar production.

  • Yes, a generator can still be used after installing a solar system.

  • Your solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity. The DC electricity travels to your solar power inverter, which converts it into the alternating current (AC) electricity used to run your home’s appliances.

Home energy costs

  • Your solar system will include a monitoring service so homeowners can regularly check the system output, and be alerted if issues arise.

  • Your monthly payments for solar will never increase, protecting you from utility rate increases. And you can expect your system to perform efficiently for 25 years or more, providing you with decades of free electricity.

    One of solar power’s many advantages is that the sun will always be free. It’s like buying a house instead of renting an apartment. Your mortgage won’t ever change, even as landlords constantly increase their rents. Once your panels are installed, you never have to worry about the price of your solar PV system going up.

  • Net energy metering is a special metering and billing agreement between you and your electric utility. Normally your electric meter spins forward as it measures how many kilowatt-hours of electricity you buy. A net energy metering agreement allows you to use the electricity you generate first, reducing what you would normally buy from your electric utility.

    If you generate more electricity than you use, the excess goes through your electric meter and into the grid, spinning your meter backward. Your meter records the net amount, measured as the difference between the electricity your system generates and the electricity you purchase from your electric utility.

Care and maintenance

  • There is no recurring maintenance required. We receive enough rain in our area to provide the needed minimal cleaning of the solar panels.

  • Solar panels are constructed to be durable and rigorously tested. If a panel is damaged in a weather event, a homeowner’s insurance claim will need to be filed to cover the repair cost.

  • In general, solar panels do not need to be cleaned or have snow removed. During a typical Virginia winter, only 2-3 days are affected by snowfall which has a minimal impact on panel production. Solarize VA installers’ proposal calculations account for average weather conditions throughout the year.

    LEAP and Solarize installers recommend against getting on top of roofs to clean panels. We receive enough rain in our area to provide the needed minimal cleaning of the solar panels.

  • When installed correctly, solar installations will not damage your roof or cause leaks. Furthermore, the solar panels will actually help to protect your roofing from weather.

Long-term questions

  • Solar panels lose about 0.5% of production every year. However, even after 25 years, systems can still perform at 87.5%. Generally, solar panel warranties guarantee that performance will not go below 80% after 25 years.

  • Solarize solar panels have a 25-year power output warranty. Inverters are warranted free of defects for at least 10 years and mounting systems are warranted free of defects for at least 5 years. Participating Solarize solar installers will also provide a minimum of 10 years on all installation labor, if not covered by the manufacturers’ warranties.

  • Typically, installing a solar system does not affect a roof warranty, but you should always check with your roof contractor before having any work done.

  • When re-roofing, the solar panels will have to come down. Though depending on the roof set up, the actual mounts may be able to stay in place while re-roofing, unless boards and/or joists have to be replaced as well. For this reason, if you are within the last third of a roof’s lifespan, we recommend waiting to get solar panels or replacing them early.

  • Typically, solar systems do not increase homeowner’s insurance premiums, however, it is possible for a small increase. We always recommend that you notify your insurance provider of the new solar system addition so that it will be covered in the case of any damage.

Installers and panels

  • A competitively based Request for Proposals was released and distributed to many of the area’s best solar installation companies. LEAP reviews all proposals and selects the contractor(s) based on competitive pricing, quality of equipment/systems/warranties, and overall experience and qualifications working in the local region.

  • Only the selected installers working with the campaign offer special pricing and other assistance. We will connect individuals with one of our selected installers based on their geographic region.

  • Each of our installers offers at least one panel option that is American-made.

  • Each panel weighs approximately 42 pounds.