Pillar · Costs & Savings
What plug-in solar actually costs — and saves — in Virginia
A compliant HB 395 system tops out at 1,200 W. That hard ceiling sets a tight range for both what you'll spend and what you'll get back. Here's the realistic math.
Typical kit
$650 – $1,400
Annual yield
1,300 – 1,700 kWh
Annual savings
~$160 – $220
Payback
5 – 8 years
Articles in this pillar
How much can you save with balcony solar in Virginia?
Hardware costs, expected output by region, and a worked payback example for a Richmond apartment.
6 min read
Plug-in vs. full rooftop solar
When 1,200 W is enough, when it isn't, and the situations where rooftop solar is still the right call.
Coming soon
Seasonal performance across Virginia
How a south-facing balcony in Norfolk differs from a west-facing one in Roanoke through the year.
7 min read
Federal and state incentives — what applies
Whether the federal residential clean-energy credit applies to plug-in systems, and Virginia-specific programs.
Coming soon