The cost will depend 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, a rooftop solar system costs between $10,000 – $25,000. Your solar sales engineer will help you make the best choice depending on your ownership goals.
Configuration Options:
There are two different types of panels to choose from:
- Standard Panels (foreign made)
- 10 yr warranty on install and workmanship
- 25 years on power at 80% or better
- “Buy America” Compliant Panels
- 10 yr warranty on install and workmanship
- 25 yr on power at 80% or better
Additionally, you have the option of standard inverters or micro-inverters. Talk to your solar sales engineer to determine which is the best choice for you!
In addition to the Solarize discount, Solarize Piedmont installers will help participants access a 26% federal tax credit, access affordable financing, and navigate the Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) market.
All of this combined may make it possible for participants to finance their installations with monthly payments similar (or even less) than regular utility payments.
Additional Charges May Apply for the Following (case-by-case)
- Panels installed on more than 2 roof planes
- Extensive/difficult cabling for on-line monitoring functionality
- Tilt legs for roof mounted arrays
- Electrical modifications to the existing service other than net-metered back fed breaker installation • Grid-tied Battery back-up power installation
- Off-grid battery back-up power installation
- Rocks in trenching line
- Copper, slate, tile, or shake roofs
- Line side tap (if needed)
- Service shutdown (if needed)
- Multiple string inverters
- Extended inverter warranties
- Non-standard color panels or frames
- Premium panel upgrade
More on the Incentives
- Federal Tax Credit (ITC) – Up to 26% of your solar installation. More info
- USDA REAP (Rural Energy for America Program) Grant – Up to 25% of cost for commercial and agricultural projects. www.rd.usda.gov
- Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System (MACRS) – Businesses may recover investments in certain property through depreciation deductions. More Info
- Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) – www.dsireusa.org
Solar Energy Equipment Tax Exemption (Code of VA § 58.1-3661)
- Potential Applicants: Business, Industry, and Residents. This statute allows any county, city, or town to exempt or partially exempt solar energy equipment from local property taxes. Eligible technologies include passive solar space heat, active solar water heat, active solar space heat, solar thermal electricity, and photovoltaics. Certified solar energy items are defined as any “property, including real and personal property, equipment, facilities, and devices which use solar energy that would otherwise require a conventional source of energy.”Localities offering exemptions: Albemarle, Alexandria, Charlottesville, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Fairfax County, Falls Church, Fauquier, Hampton, Hanover, Henrico, Isle of Wight, King and Queen, Loudoun, Lynchburg, Prince William, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Spotsylvania, and Winchester.
Your solar installer can walk you through different financing scenarios and options.
(NOTE: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.)