Solar PV installations in Richmond require two separate permit applications: a building permit for the structural roof mounting system and an electrical permit for the PV electrical system (DC wiring, inverter, AC connection, disconnect switch). Richmond's explicit rule that "Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Gas piping work cannot be included on a residential building permit" applies here — the electrical PV system requires its own permit application submitted through energov.richmondgov.com. Each permit carries Richmond's standard valuation-based fee: $6.07 per $1,000 of construction value + 2% state surcharge.
The building permit for the mounting system requires construction documents: a site plan (for the property), a roof plan showing panel placement and structural attachment details, and a structural analysis confirming the roof can support the additional loads. The electrical permit requires scope description of the PV system: panel count, inverter specs, DC and AC wiring description, disconnect switch placement. Construction documents are not required for the electrical permit application for residential trade permits.
Dominion Energy (Dominion Virginia Power) serves most of Richmond. Grid-tied solar systems require Dominion's interconnection application, separate from the city permits. Dominion reviews the system specifications, issues an interconnection agreement, and installs a bidirectional meter after the system passes city inspections. Virginia's net metering program requires Dominion to credit excess solar generation at the retail rate for systems up to 20 kW — a more favorable credit than Texas's export credit framework. Contact Dominion at 1-866-366-4357 for the interconnection application.
Historic districts add the CAR layer. Solar panels on the visible (typically south-facing) roof slopes of properties in Old and Historic Districts require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Commission of Architectural Review. Virginia Code §67-701 prohibits localities from "unreasonably" restricting solar installations but preserves the authority of historic district commissions to regulate solar on designated historic properties. Richmond's CAR has approved solar installations in historic districts where the panels are not prominently visible from the street — typically meaning panels on rear slopes are more readily approved than panels on street-facing slopes.
| Variable | How it affects your Richmond solar permit |
|---|---|
| Two separate permits | Building permit (structural mount, construction documents required) + electrical permit (PV system, no construction documents required for residential trade permit). Two applications at energov.richmondgov.com. |
| Dominion Energy interconnection | Separate from city permits. Submit concurrently. Dominion reviews specs, issues agreement, installs bidirectional meter after city inspections pass. Virginia net metering: full retail credit for excess generation (up to 20 kW). Contact 1-866-366-4357. |
| Historic district CAR review | Required for panels on slopes visible from public ROW in Old and Historic Districts. Rear slope panels less likely to require hearing. Contact (804) 646-6340. Virginia Code §67-701 limits "unreasonable" restrictions but preserves historic commission authority. |
| Virginia net metering | Virginia law requires Dominion to credit excess solar generation at retail rate for systems up to 20 kW. This full-retail net metering makes Richmond solar economics more favorable than Texas markets without net metering mandates. Monthly credit balance carries forward. |
| 30% federal ITC | 30% of total installed system cost (panels, inverter, mounting, labor, battery if solar-charged) credited against federal income taxes in installation year. On $22,000 system: $6,600 credit. Non-refundable; excess carries forward. |
| Virginia property tax exemption | Virginia Code §58.1-3661 exempts solar installations from real property tax assessment. No property tax increase from solar value added to Richmond property. Significant benefit given Richmond's active real estate market and real estate tax rate. |
Richmond's solar economics are shaped by Virginia's full-retail net metering policy — one of the more favorable net metering frameworks in the Mid-Atlantic region. Dominion Energy must credit excess solar generation at the retail electricity rate (currently approximately $0.11–$0.14/kWh for residential customers) rather than at a below-retail export rate as in Texas. This means the financial value of solar in Richmond is not heavily penalized by export — a properly sized system that generates some export during peak production periods earns full retail credit that offsets future electricity bills. Monthly credit balances carry forward indefinitely, and annual credit balances may be refunded or retired depending on the specific Dominion tariff applicable to the customer.
Virginia's solar property tax exemption (Code of Virginia §58.1-3661) exempts renewable energy equipment from real property taxation. A $22,000 solar installation that adds $15,000–$18,000 to the assessed value of a Richmond home does not increase the property tax bill — significant savings in a city with Richmond's property tax rate (currently $1.20 per $100 of assessed value, one of the higher rates in Virginia). The combined impact of the 30% federal ITC plus Virginia's property tax exemption makes the effective net cost of solar in Richmond substantially lower than the headline installation price.
Virginia's community solar program (for customers who can't install rooftop solar — renters, shaded roofs, or historic district CAR limitations) allows Richmond residents to subscribe to a portion of an off-site solar array and receive bill credits. Dominion Virginia Power's community solar program provides an alternative for homeowners who cannot install rooftop solar due to historic district restrictions or unfavorable roof conditions.
Building inspector for the structural mount: mounting hardware properly attached to structural members (not just sheathing); roof penetrations properly flashed and sealed; racking rail support and connections per the manufacturer's specifications; no damage to existing roof. Electrical inspector: DC wiring, conduit routing, inverter installation and clearances, AC connection to the service panel, disconnect switch placement and labeling per NEC Article 705, and system labeling meeting all required safety identification. Dominion site visit: verifies inverter IEEE 1547 compliance and installs bidirectional meter typically within 10 business days of receiving the System Verification Form.
Richmond solar costs reflect the competitive Mid-Atlantic installer market. Installed costs before incentives: 6 kW: $16,000–$22,000. 8 kW: $20,000–$28,000. 10 kW: $24,000–$34,000. 10 kW + 13.5 kWh battery: $38,000–$52,000. After 30% ITC and Virginia property tax exemption, effective net costs are substantially lower. Annual electricity savings at Dominion's current residential rates: $1,200–$1,800 for a 6 kW system. Payback period: 9–13 years cash; 12–16 years financed. Permit fees of $130–$300 are a small fraction of project cost.
Virginia's approach to residential solar has evolved significantly since 2020, making the commonwealth one of the more favorable state frameworks in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Virginia Clean Economy Act established a path to 100% carbon-free electricity for Dominion Virginia Power by 2045, and customer-sited solar is explicitly supported as part of this transition. Dominion's interconnection process for residential systems under 20 kW is relatively streamlined compared to states with more cumbersome interconnection requirements, and Virginia's full-retail net metering ensures meaningful economic return for Richmond homeowners who install properly sized systems.
Virginia Code §67-701 provides statutory protection for residential solar installations against HOA restrictions: "No association shall prohibit an owner from installing solar energy collection panels or equipment on that owner's property." The statute allows HOAs to impose "reasonable restrictions" regarding the placement of solar collectors but prohibits outright bans and restrictions that significantly increase cost or reduce efficiency. For Richmond homeowners in neighborhood associations, this statute provides the baseline legal protection to install solar — but in historic districts, the CAR process is a separate and legally distinct review authority that the statute does not preempt.
Appalachian Power Company (APCo), not Dominion, serves some areas of far western Richmond and the city's outskirts — confirm your utility provider before initiating the Dominion interconnection process. Most of Richmond's developed residential areas are served by Dominion Virginia Power.
Dominion Energy will not install a bidirectional meter for an unpermitted solar system — the interconnection process requires city permit approval before the meter exchange. An unpermitted system can only operate as a standalone off-grid system (if battery-equipped) or cannot operate at all if grid-tied. Virginia property disclosure requires disclosure of unpermitted improvements. In historic districts, unpermitted solar installations trigger CAR enforcement.
A realistic timeline for a Richmond residential solar installation from decision to energized system: Week 1–2: site assessment, system design, HOA (if applicable) preliminary discussion, and Virginia contractor selection (verify DPOR license). Week 2–4: Dominion interconnection application submitted; building permit and electrical permit applications submitted through energov.richmondgov.com; historic district homeowners submit to CAR concurrently. Week 4–6: city building and electrical permits approved (10 business day goal); Dominion interconnection agreement issued; historic district CAR approval received (if administrative approval). Week 6–8: installation (typically 1–2 days for most residential systems); city building inspection; city electrical inspection. Week 8–10: submit System Verification Form to Dominion; Dominion site visit; bidirectional meter installed; system energized and producing. Total from application submission to energized system: 6–10 weeks for a straightforward non-historic residential installation; 8–14 weeks if CAR review required a public hearing.
Yes — a building permit for the structural mounting system and a separate electrical permit for the PV electrical system. Richmond's homeowner guide requires separate trade permit applications that cannot be combined with a building permit. Both are submitted through energov.richmondgov.com. The Dominion Energy interconnection application is a third separate process.
Yes — Virginia's net metering law requires Dominion to credit excess solar generation at the full retail electricity rate for systems up to 20 kW. Monthly credit balances carry forward. This full-retail net metering makes Richmond solar economics more favorable than markets without net metering (like Texas, where credits are set below retail).
Yes, with CAR approval. Panels on roof slopes not visible from public rights-of-way (typically rear slopes) have a reasonable likelihood of CAR approval. Panels on street-facing slopes are more likely to require a public hearing and may face more CAR scrutiny. Virginia Code §67-701 limits "unreasonable" restrictions on solar but preserves historic commission authority for designated historic districts. Contact Planning and Preservation at (804) 646-6340 before designing your system.
Virginia Code §58.1-3661 exempts solar energy equipment from real property taxation. A solar installation that increases a Richmond home's assessed value does not increase the property tax bill. At Richmond's current rate of $1.20 per $100 assessed value, this exemption can save $150–$250 annually on a typical residential system. The exemption is automatic and does not require a separate application.
Dominion's residential interconnection process typically takes 4–8 weeks from application to meter installation. The sequence: apply through Dominion's customer generation portal; receive interconnection agreement; install system and pass city inspections; submit System Verification Form to Dominion; Dominion conducts site visit and installs bidirectional meter (typically within 10 business days of SVC receipt). Contact Dominion at 1-866-366-4357 for the current interconnection timeline.
Two permits, each at the standard $6.07/$1,000 construction value (residential) + 2% state surcharge. Building permit on the structural mount scope (typically 60–70% of total project cost): $6.07 × construction value in thousands. Electrical permit on the electrical scope: same formula. Combined permit fees for a typical 6–10 kW residential system: $130–$300. Very modest relative to the total project cost.
This page provides general guidance as of April 2026. Verify with Bureau at (804) 646-4169 and Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357. For a personalized report, use our permit research tool.