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
3 – 5 years
Articles in this pillar
How much can you save with balcony solar in Virginia?
A 1,200 W system isn't going to zero out a power bill. But the math is genuinely good for renters and small homes — and HB 395 makes it accessible at a price rooftop solar never was.
6 min read
Federal and state incentives — what applies
The short answer is complicated. The federal solar tax credit was designed for grid-connected rooftop systems, and Virginia's incentive landscape is thin for plug-in solar. Here's what's clear, what's contested, and what renters can actually count on.
8 min read
Plug-in vs. full rooftop solar
The HB 395 cap sits at 1,200 W AC. That ceiling defines both what plug-in solar can do — and where it reaches its limit. Here's the honest comparison between the two options for Virginia households.
8 min read
Seasonal performance across Virginia
Virginia's climate is friendlier to solar than most residents assume. A well-placed balcony system in Norfolk beats one in Roanoke, but the gap is smaller than the gap between good and bad orientation on the same balcony.
7 min read