Arlington, VA Solar: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Arlington
If you live in Arlington, VA, you’ve probably noticed your electricity bill steadily rising. You’re not imagining it—Virginia electricity prices have increased 21% from 2020 to 2024. That steady climb has many Arlington homeowners looking for a way to take control of their energy costs.
Solar installation offers one path forward, and Virginia now ranks 15th in the country for residential solar. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what solar installation looks like in Arlington, drawing on our experience helping homeowners across Virginia. Want to learn more first? Start with our overview of home solar panels.
Virginia by the Numbers
- 15th most residential solar in the United States
- 59 households have installed solar panels
- 4.8 average peak sun hours per day
- ~$72k Arlington average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Arlington, VA?
See real solar costs for your Arlington home—built from actual Palmetto installations across neighborhoods like Clarendon, Ballston, Rosslyn, and Shirlington. This calculator uses firsthand local data, not estimates, so you get a clear, honest picture of what solar could look like right where you live.
System Size
This system size is designed to offset approximately 100% of the average electricity usage for a home of this size in Virginia.
Recommended System
- 9.84 kW
- Your Monthly Payment: Estimated monthly cost with LightReach $115/mo
- Cost Breakdown:
- System Cost: $27,111
- Price per Watt: $2.76
- Final Cost: $27,111
- Savings:
- Monthly Savings: $165
- Payback Period: 11.5 years
- 25-Year Savings: $72,085
Key Takeaways
- Electricity prices in Virginia rose about 21% from 2021 to 2024, so Arlington homeowners are turning to solar to gain more control over their energy costs.
- A medium Arlington home can save around $72,000 over 25 years with solar, or start with no upfront cost through a LightReach lease from about $115 a month.
- Virginia offers helpful solar incentives like sales and property tax exemptions and tradable SRECs that lower your costs and reward the clean energy your panels produce.
Arlington Electricity Prices
Virginia electricity prices rose about 21% from 2021 to 2024, climbing from 12.0 to 14.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. Many Arlington homeowners served by Dominion Energy are feeling this steady increase on every monthly bill.
Solar installation offers one way to take control. By generating your own power, you can rely less on the grid and reduce how much rising utility rates affect your household budget over time.
Price of Energy: Virginia vs National Average
| Year | Virginia | US Average |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12.0¢ | 13.7¢ |
| 2022 | 13.3¢ | 14.3¢ |
| 2023 | 14.5¢ | 16.0¢ |
| 2024 | 14.5¢ | 16.0¢ |
Arlington Area Utility Providers
In Arlington, VA, most homes get power from Dominion Energy, with NOVEC and REC also serving parts of the region. In 2023, Dominion and NOVEC charged about 13.9¢ per kWh, while REC came in near 14.8¢.
Arlington Utilities Electricity Rates
| Provider | Rate |
|---|---|
| Dominion Energy | 13.90¢ (-13%) |
| NOVEC | 13.90¢ (-13%) |
| REC | 14.80¢ (-8%) |
| VA Average | 14.30¢ (-11%) |
| US Average | 16.0¢ |
Virginia Solar Incentives
Several solar incentives in Virginia can help Arlington homeowners lower the cost of going solar and keep more money in their pockets.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Solar Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Exemption | Residential solar systems up to 25 kW are automatically exempt from any added property tax under Virginia Code §58.1-3661. | Learn More |
| Virginia Solar Equipment Sales Tax Exemption | Sales Tax Exemption | All solar panels, inverters, racking, and associated components are exempt from Virginia’s 5.3% state sales tax. | Learn More |
| Virginia Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) | SREC | Virginia solar owners earn one tradable SREC for every 1,000 kWh produced. | Learn More |
| Federal Battery Storage Tax Credit (Section 25D) | Tax Credit | Homeowners can claim a 30% federal tax credit on battery storage systems of 3 kWh or larger. | Learn More |
Arlington Solar Irradiance
Solar panel production varies throughout the year based on daylight hours, weather patterns, and sun intensity. Understanding how seasons affect your solar system helps set realistic expectations for your investment.
Solar Production in Arlington by Month
| Month | Energy Production (kWh/day) |
|---|---|
| July | 47.3 |
| December | 24.5 |
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- Equal the environmental benefit of planting 166 trees
Leasing Solar Panels
In Arlington, VA, homeowners served by Dominion Energy or Appalachian Power can go solar through a LightReach solar lease. With a lease, you pay a fixed monthly amount based on your system’s estimated yearly production—no large upfront cost required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arlington, VA have net metering?
- Yes. Arlington, VA has net metering. Most Arlington homes are served by Dominion Energy, which offers 1:1 net metering. This means the excess electricity your solar panels send to the grid earns credits at the full retail rate.
How much does it cost to go solar in Arlington, VA?
- Many Arlington homeowners go solar with a LightReach lease, starting around $115 a month for a medium home with no upfront cost.
Do solar panels increase your home value in Arlington, VA?
- Yes. When you own your solar panels, they can raise your home’s value in Arlington, VA, exempting this value from property tax.