The Complete Guide to Community Solar in Virginia

How Much Can I Save by Joining a Virginia Community Solar Farm?

For many Virginians, “solar incentives” usually means tax credits, rebates, or savings programs. With community solar, the main value is usually not a rooftop tax credit for the subscriber. Instead, the savings usually come through bill credits and discounted subscription structures. That is one reason community solar in Virginia appeals to people who want simpler savings without owning a full solar system.

The exact savings on your electricity bill vary depending on the specific community solar program and the user’s energy consumption, but generally range from 5% to 10% annual savings. If you qualify as a low to moderate income resident then your savings gets bumped to 20% annually.

Important Fine Print Before you Subscribe

Here is the part nobody puts on a movie poster, but it matters.

• Your savings can vary by project and utility billing terms. Community solar savings typically fall in the 10% to 25% range, not one flat number for everyone.
• You usually must live in the same utility territory as the solar project. Your share needs to match the local utility rules, so not every solar farm in Virginia is available to every Virginian.
• Project availability can be limited. Virginia’s initial shared solar capacity has already been allocated, and provider pages stress that enrollment depends on open project space.
• Billing details matter. Some programs use a single utility bill with built-in credits, while others in other states may involve separate invoicing. Always check the enrollment terms.
• Contract terms may differ. DOE’s community solar consumer guidance emphasizes plain-language disclosures and says strong community solar programs should avoid sign-up, exit, and termination fees.

Why Community Solar Matters in Virginia

The Old Dominion state has a rich energy history. The Virginia Commonwealth helped power early colonial and industrial America with coal and hydro power, and later on with nuclear power. Today, Virginia politicians are steadily moving to build out additional solar capacity to meet growing energy demand. Community solar gives more people access to that shift, especially people who cannot install their own solar systems. That matters even more in a state like Virginia, where residential electricity use is roughly 15% higher than the national average and state energy use exceeds energy production.

There is real momentum behind the Virginia community solar market. Virginia’s shared solar industry is currently capped at 200 megawatts (MW) across 52 projects (each <5 MW). State lawmakers authorized an additional 150 MW in 2024, but over a dozen projects await approval. Delegate Rip Sullivan proposed legislation (HB807) to allow 525 more MW with the ability to expand without further General Assembly approval, and his bill passed the House of Delegates in March 2026.

Community Solar Providers in Virginia

Virginia residents have multiple reputable community solar providers to choose from. Here are two of the largest:

Arcadia

Arcadia brightens the community solar landscape with equal access to clean energy. They democratize the benefits of solar power, allowing renters, homeowners, and business owners alike to tap into solar farms without on-site installation. Their model focuses on sustainability and offers noticeable savings on electricity bills through clean energy credits.

Currently, Arcadia provides community solar programs in Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington D.C..

Nexamp

Founded in 2007 by two U.S. Army veterans, Nexamp has grown from a solar installer into a leading community solar company. Its mission is to make clean energy affordable and accessible by developing and operating large-scale solar farms.

Nexamp has a growing national footprint, with projects and service areas across the United States. They have a particularly strong presence in the Northeast, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York, but have expanded into other states like Illinois, Maryland, and Virginia with new projects and markets continually in development.

What to Expect With Your New Solar Bills

When you join a community solar program in Virginia, your billing will work differently from a standard electricity account:

You will receive two bills, your normal electric bill (from Dominion Energy or Appalachian Power) which will include your earned solar credits, reducing the supply charges for that month. You will also receive a community solar bill (from your provider). This bill charges you for the discounted solar credits—typically 10–20% less than their value on your utility bill.

Your total cost between both bills will be lower than what you would have paid without community solar. Some providers offer consolidated billing, meaning everything appears on one bill. Virginia is expanding support for this option over time.

For example if you earned $100 credit discount off of your April utility bill, you will pay your community solar provider for 90% of that, or $90 in June. The community solar provider passes along that money to the solar farm owner and you net out with $10 savings just not during the same month.

This example bill scenario is for a resident on a 10% savings project. Savings rates will vary by state and eligibility factors.

In most states, you will pay your community solar provider 1-3 months after your utility bill. In certain states, payment will happen directly through your utility bill. So check your contract for these state-specific details.

How to Choose Among Solar Companies in Virginia

Comparing Virginia community solar options is the best way to maximize your savings. Here’s how to get started:

1. Visit ElectricityRates.com: Use our community solar guides to find available projects in your utility territory, compare offers, and understand the fine print.
2. Look for Key Features: Subscribe based on your usage. Compare your savings rate (10–20% is typical), contract details, and billing structure.
3. Sign Up for Available Projects: Some areas have immediate availability, while others operate on a waitlist. Joining a waitlist is free and places you in line for the next open project.

Community solar in Virginia is one of the easiest ways to benefit from solar power without buying rooftop panels, managing installation, or becoming best friends with a home contractor. It gives many Virginia residents and business owners a simpler path to lower bills, cleaner energy, and a more flexible entry point into the state’s growing solar market.

If you want to explore your options, enter your ZIP Code to compare solar choices in your area through our expert-vetted marketplace and solar resources.