I'm adding solar to my roof to cut back on my energy costs and eliminate these power outages. Frankly every time a drop of rain hits the grown or it snows my power goes out. No more!

Can anyone recommend a good Fairfax county company the works with solar systems in?

This works also for me. They should offer smaller contract to sellback.

Dominions Buying program:

In March 2013, the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved a rate program for Dominion Virginia Power customers that install solar PV systems. The rate was approved at 15 cents per kWh with a 5 year contract. Both residential and nonresidential customers are eligible for the program. The program is capped 3 MW, with 60% of the capacity reserved for residential customers and 40% reserved for nonresidential customers. Customers must install a separate meter for the PV system and sell all of the generation back to Dominion. Customers will pay a charge for the meter. Application materials are available on the program web site.

The program is considered a pilot program that will last for 5 years, at which point the Dominion will decide whether or not to move forward with a permanent program.

I like that Fairfax county also discounts taxes for Solar properties.

Program Example

The property owner has entered into a contract for a total of $12,000 to install solar energy panels ($8,000 in Solar Energy equipment and $4,000 for installation). DPWES has completed their inspections and has forwarded the application to DTA.

The $12,000, in this example, is considered the value of the exemption.

(The percentage or formula used is outlined in the Virginia Administrative Code. Many items such as solar panels or hot water systems are at 100% of cost and installation as shown in this example. Where other items such as south facing windows and greenhouses are based on a percentage or formula as stated in the Code. Please inquire at time of application.)

Based on the FY 2011 tax rate of $1.09 per hundred of assessed value, the $12,000 exemption value would equal a tax savings of $130.80 for the tax year. This is calculated as follows: $12,000 divided by 100 multiplied by $1.09 = $130.80. The amount of tax savings over the 5 year period may vary depending on the tax rate that is in effect for each tax year.

The $12,000 exemption value will be converted to a tax credit and deducted from the property's tax bill every year for 5 years.

There are two different Dominion plans - NetMetering and Solar Buy Back - with significantly different approaches.

https://www.dom.com/about/stations/renewable/solar/pdf/program-comparison-chart.pdf
https://www.dom.com/about/stations/renewable/solar/solar-purchase-program.jsp



Power Buy Back Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This works also for me. They should offer smaller
> contract to sellback.
>
> Dominions Buying program:
>
> In March 2013, the Virginia State Corporation
> Commission approved a rate program for Dominion
> Virginia Power customers that install solar PV
> systems. The rate was approved at 15 cents per kWh
> with a 5 year contract. Both residential and
> nonresidential customers are eligible for the
> program. The program is capped 3 MW, with 60% of
> the capacity reserved for residential customers
> and 40% reserved for nonresidential customers.
> Customers must install a separate meter for the PV
> system and sell all of the generation back to
> Dominion. Customers will pay a charge for the
> meter. Application materials are available on the
> program web site.
>
> The program is considered a pilot program that
> will last for 5 years, at which point the Dominion
> will decide whether or not to move forward with a
> permanent program.

Let us know if you get it past the knuckle-dragging troglodytes in your HOA.

Better make sure your roof is in good shape first

Curmudgeon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let us know if you get it past the
> knuckle-dragging troglodytes in your HOA.

I think the HOA can be by-passed the way people got around the Dish-TV antenna problem. Although the May insist they get put on the back of the house. Which might defeat the effectiveness of the panels.

Anyways, the OP thinks solar will provide power during a snow storm? Um, why not just purchase a generator or battery backup? Snow = cloud = no sun. Just something to consider.

My thoughts on HOA & Snow Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
Anyways, the OP thinks solar will provide power
> during a snow storm? Um, why not just purchase a
> generator or battery backup? Snow = cloud = no
> sun. Just something to consider.

There is actually more light after a snow storm because the sun reflects off the snow better.

I don't HOA's will be a problem.

Roof Solar Cells Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My thoughts on HOA & Snow Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> Anyways, the OP thinks solar will provide power
> > during a snow storm? Um, why not just purchase
> a
> > generator or battery backup? Snow = cloud = no
> > sun. Just something to consider.
>
> There is actually more light after a snow storm
> because the sun reflects off the snow better.
>
> I don't HOA's will be a problem.

OP wants power during a storm, so afterwards is irrelevant.

Maybe we can harvest energy from the falling snow. Think about it - the snowflakes will land on a platform, the platform will fall towards the ground due to the weight of the snowflakes, the motion will trigger the turning of a wheel which will in turn drive a turbine and generate power. Shit, I just figured out a solution to the worlds energy crisis.

shut the fuck up it's made in china and a child can do solar panels