Norfolk, VA Solar Panels: 2026 Costs, Incentives & Savings
Solar Power in Norfolk
If you live in Norfolk and have watched your electricity bill climb, you’re not alone. Virginia electricity prices have increased 21% from 2020 to 2024. Many homeowners are now exploring solar installation in Norfolk as a smarter, more stable way to power their homes.
Virginia ranks 15th in the nation for residential solar installations, and Norfolk homeowners are part of that growing movement. This guide covers the essentials of home solar panels to help you make an informed decision.
VIRGINIA by the Numbers
- 15th Most residential solar in the United States
- 59 Households have installed solar panels
- 5.0 Avg peak sun hours per day
- ~$75k Norfolk average savings over 25 years
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Norfolk, VA?
See what solar really costs in Norfolk—based on real installations we’ve completed across the area, from Ghent and Larchmont to Ocean View and Colonial Place. It’s a simple way to understand your options.
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 Estimated Monthly Payment: $115/mo
As low as: $115/mo
Why Lease Solar?
Following the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill, the federal 30% solar tax credit is no longer available for cash purchases. With a LightReach lease, Palmetto owns the system and still qualifies for the commercial ITC — passing those savings through to you via lower monthly payments.
- No upfront investment
- Palmetto handles all maintenance
- 90% Production Guarantee
- Comprehensive protection program included
Cost Breakdown
Your estimated investment
- System Cost: $27,111
- Price per Watt: $2.76
- Final Cost: $27,111
Savings
Your total financial benefit
- Monthly Savings: $171
- Payback Period: 11.1 years
- 25-Year Savings: $74,917
Key Takeaways
- Norfolk electricity rates rose about 21% from 2020 to 2024, so generating your own solar power offers a more predictable, stable way to manage rising energy costs.
- A typical Norfolk home can save around $75,000 over 25 years with solar, thanks to strong sun exposure and Virginia’s property and sales tax exemptions.
- Leasing solar with LightReach means no upfront cost, since Palmetto owns, maintains, and guarantees the system while passing savings along through low monthly payments.
Norfolk Electricity Prices
Virginia’s residential electricity price climbed from 12.0 cents per kWh in 2021 to 14.5 cents in 2024—roughly a 21% increase in just three years for Norfolk, VA homeowners. Solar panel installation offers a way to take more control of these costs.
Price of Energy: Virginia vs National Average
| Year | US Average | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13.7¢ | 12.0¢ |
| 2022 | 13.3¢ | 14.3¢ |
| 2023 | 16.0¢ | 14.5¢ |
| 2024 | 16.5¢ | 14.5¢ |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration
Norfolk Area Utility Providers
If you live in Norfolk, Dominion Energy is your main electricity provider. In 2023, Dominion charged about 13.9¢ per kWh, which sits below the 2023 state average of 14.3¢ and the national average of 16.0¢.
Norfolk Utilities Electricity Rates
| Provider | Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dominion Energy | 13.90¢ | -13% |
| VA Average | 14.30¢ | -11% |
| US Average | 16.0¢ | — |
Source: US Energy Information Administration, 2023
Virginia Solar Incentives
Several state and local programs can help offset the cost of solar installation in Norfolk. Explore the available solar incentives in Virginia below.
Norfolk homeowners can benefit from a statewide property tax exemption and a sales tax exemption on equipment. You can also earn tradable SRECs for the clean energy your system produces.
| Incentive | Type | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Solar Property Tax Exemption | Property Tax Exemption | Residential solar systems up to 25 kW are automatically exempt statewide from any added property tax on the value solar adds to your home, 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, saving homeowners roughly $1,290 on a typical 8 kW system. | Learn More |
| Virginia Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs) | SREC | Virginia solar owners earn one tradable SREC for every 1,000 kWh their system produces, which can be sold to utilities needing to meet renewable energy mandates under the Virginia Clean Economy Act. | Learn More |
| Federal Battery Storage Tax Credit (Section 25D) | Tax Credit | Homeowners who install a battery storage system of 3 kWh or larger alongside a solar installation in 2026 can claim a 30% federal tax credit on the full cost of the battery under Section 25D. | Learn More |
| Virginia Shared Solar Program (Community Solar) | Rebate | Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power customers can subscribe to a share of an off-site community solar facility and receive guaranteed bill credits worth approximately 10% or more in savings — no rooftop installation required. | Learn More |
| Dominion Energy Income and Age Qualifying Solar Program | Rebate | Dominion Energy offers eligible low-income, age-qualifying Virginia customers a no-cost rooftop solar installation with a 25-year maintenance warranty. | Learn More |
| Dominion Energy Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Pilot Program | Rebate | Dominion Energy is launching a Virtual Power Plant pilot program in 2026 that will pay battery storage owners for allowing the utility to draw on their stored energy during peak grid demand periods. | Learn More |
Norfolk 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 Norfolk by Month
| System Size | Daylight Hours | Energy Production (kWh/day) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kW | ||
| 7 kW | ||
| 10 kW |
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) PVWatts data; Norfolk, VA
What Can Your Solar System Power?
Summer Production (July)
In July, your 10 kW system could power:
- 3.1 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- Run central AC for 15 hours AND power all other appliances
- Fully charge 4.7 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Winter Production (December)
In December, your 10 kW system could power:
- 1.7 average homes (15 kWh/day per home)
- Keep your home heating system running for 13 hours
- Fully charge 2.6 Tesla Model 3 electric vehicles
Annual Production
Over a year, your 10 kW system could:
- Offset 10 tons of carbon dioxide emissions
- Equal the environmental benefit of planting 172 trees
Solar Panel Systems in Norfolk
We’ve mapped solar installations across the country, right down to the neighborhood level. Explore the map below to see how many Norfolk homes have switched to solar.
Solar Customers
Leasing Solar Panels
In Norfolk, homeowners served by Dominion Energy can go solar with a LightReach solar lease. Instead of paying tens of thousands upfront, you pay a fixed, predictable amount each month while enjoying the power your panels produce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Norfolk, VA have net metering?
Yes. Norfolk homes served by Dominion Energy qualify for 1:1 net metering. This means the excess electricity your solar panels send to the grid earns credits at the full retail rate, helping offset the power you use at night or on cloudy days.
Do solar panels increase your home value in Norfolk, VA?
Yes. Owned solar panels—purchased with cash or financing—can raise your home’s value by about 4.1%. Virginia’s property tax exemption also means that added value isn’t taxed.
How much does it cost to go solar in Norfolk, VA?
Many Norfolk homeowners go solar with no upfront cost through a LightReach lease, paying a low fixed monthly amount—as little as around $115/month for a medium-sized home—while Palmetto owns and maintains the system.
How does leasing solar work?
With a LightReach solar lease, Palmetto owns, installs, and maintains the panels while you pay one simple monthly amount. There’s no upfront cost, and the plan includes monitoring, maintenance, and a 90% Production Guarantee.
What’s the best solar company in Norfolk, VA?
At Palmetto Solar, we combine national expertise with a local focus in Norfolk. Since 2020, we’ve completed 4,471 installations across Virginia, helping homeowners generate cleaner, more predictable power as Dominion Energy rates continue to climb.