Solar Panels Virginia Law

No community association shall prohibit an owner from installing a solar energy collection device on that owner s property unless the recorded declaration for that community association establishes such a prohibition.

Solar panels virginia law.

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 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. The pbr requirements for a complete application to construct and operate are explicitly identified under the regulation rather than being developed on a case by case basis and applies to solar energy projects 150 megawatts or less. Homeowners associations can only stop you from installing solar if the hoa s recorded declaration explicitly prohibits solar installations. Virginia law protects your ability to go solar.

In fact the energy you re not using has the carbon equivalent of planting 113 trees a year every year your solar power system is humming. In spite of the public benefits of solar power virginia utilities have opposed private investments in solar and even imposed new barriers. No community association shall prohibit an owner from installing a solar energy collection device on that owner s property unless the recorded declaration for that community association establishes such a prohibition. But virginia s law does not require them to credit solar generators for 100 of that value ignoring the full benefits that solar provides to the grid.

The tax code is not entirely devoid of love for solar power. The small renewable energy projects solar permit by rule pbr regulation became effective on july 18 2012. The new law requires virginia s largest energy companies to construct or acquire more than 3 100 megawatts of energy storage capacity. 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.

The act establishes that 16 100 megawatts of solar and onshore wind is in the public interest the law expands net metering making it easier for rooftop solar to advance across virginia. Virginia passed legislation way back in 1977 authorizing municipalities to exempt residential solar power systems from taxation i e. A recorded declaration is a legal document that lays out the rules of the hoa at its founding. The va law actually states.

Covenants regarding solar power. Keep in mind the numbers above are based on an average home in west virginia. If you re ready for a custom quote for a solar panel system our network of experts are on call to assist you.