Solar Panel Ordinances Virginia

The law states that any local ordinance related to the siting of solar or wind energy facilities must.

Solar panel ordinances virginia.

Virginia law protects your ability to go solar. The benefits of going solar in virginia federal solar energy tax credit itc without a doubt the federal solar tax credit also referred to as the investment tax credit is one of the best incentives available for property owners in virginia. Exempting the value that the solar power system adds to your home from being counted in property tax calculations. After accounting for the 26 federal investment tax credit itc and other state and local solar incentives the net price you ll pay for solar can fall by thousands of dollars.

Virginia passed legislation way back in 1977 authorizing municipalities to exempt residential solar power systems from taxation i e. Dominion energy virginia s most recent long term plan forecasts the potential for at least 15 900 megawatts of solar in the state over the next 15 years to meet customers energy needs. Certified solar energy equipment facilities or devices means any property including real or personal property equipment facilities or devices excluding any portion of such property that is exempt under 58 1 3660 certified by the local certifying authority to be designed and used primarily for the purpose of collecting generating transferring or storing thermal or electric energy. The small renewable energy projects solar permit by rule pbr regulation became effective on july 18 2012.

Development of solar energy program in virginia deq developed a permit by rule to facilitate the review of small solar projects in virginia. Be consistent with the commonwealth energy policy 67 102. A recorded declaration is a legal document that lays out the rules of the hoa at its founding. Since 2014 virginia law has prohibited hoas from banning solar panels unless the ban appears in the association s recorded declaration.

Homeowners associations can only stop you from installing solar if the hoa s recorded declaration explicitly prohibits solar installations. As of september 2020 the average solar panel cost in virginia beach va is 3 01 w. A local government outreach group convened by deq has developed model local ordinances for wind and solar renewable energy projects in virginia. In march 2011 the virginia legislature enacted broad guidelines for local ordinances for solar and wind.

Homeowners associations in virginia. With the itc you can deduct 26 percent of the cost of your solar equipment from your taxes that means major savings on your solar installation. However the law respects the right of hoas to place reasonable restrictions on the size place and manner of placement of solar facilities on members property.