Welcome to the Culpeper County solar resource webpage. Culpeper County is seeking ways to ease the regulatory barriers for the installation of accessory solar systems across the County. This webpage represents a collection of solar resources and information for the community. Our community’s solar goals and commitments can be found below. For more information about the basics of solar energy, your solar options, and questions to ask solar professionals, visit the Department of Energy's Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar.
Our Solar Commitment
The Culpeper County Planning & Zoning Department and Building Department are committed to exceptional customer service as it relates to solar permitting. To promote the continued advancement of solar in our community, we are committed to the following:
- Our community’s solar goals can be found in our Solar Statement.
- As outlined in this Zoning Determination Letter, the installation of accessory solar systems and associated battery storage are permitted by right but require an administrative zoning permit. Additionally, ground-mounted solar energy systems, as well as associated battery storage on the outside of the structure, must have an administrative site plan as well.
- Residential roof-mounted solar permit applications will receive a streamlined review. Our staff is committed to a “less than three-business day” turnaround time for SolarAPP+ rooftop PV solar permit applications after all required information is received. This timeline is inclusive of the review of the zoning permit and the SolarAPP+ approval process for the Building Department’s permit.
- Only one inspection is required for roof-mounted solar projects. Ground-mounted solar may have a footing inspection predicated on the type of column, additional inspections include electrical trench and final. We are committed to providing inspections within two business days of the request. Under normal conditions inspections typically occur within one business day of the request.
Solar Benefits
Solar energy uses a renewable energy source – the sun – and provides many benefits for individuals and the community. It improves environmental quality by reducing carbon emissions and air pollution, supports local solar companies in Virginia, saves money on energy costs as the price continues to drop from technological developments, and improves electric grid resilience during peak demand and other stresses to the system.
Solar Potential
Investigate your property’s solar potential by clicking here. You can also estimate the performance of potential PV projects using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator.
Finding a Contractor and Going Solar
- Find a solar contractor (or two) to assess your home for solar energy and provide a bid. You can find practitioners with NABCEP certification here
- Choosing a Solar Installer - an informative short video from the GW Solar Institute explaining the questions to ask and research to conduct prior to going solar.
- Consumer Solar Checklist - a checklist by IREC (the Interstate Renewable Energy Council) for residential consumers considering solar energy.
- Clean Energy Consumer Bill of Rights - ensure a positive consumer experience by addressing important issues raised in this resource created by IREC, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
Culpeper County Solar Permitting Information
- You can apply for a zoning permit online by using the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- For building permits for roof-mounted solar energy systems and associated battery storage, please see the Solar App + section on the Building Department page.
- For building permits for ground-mounted solar energy systems and associated battery storage, as well as stand-alone battery storage applications, please use the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- Here are the instructions for the Citizen Self Service Portal.
- If you do not have access to a computer, applications can be found in person at 302 North Main Street, Culpeper Virginia 22701.
- Link to the Building Department Residential Fee Schedule.
- For ground mounted and non-SolarApp+ applications, applicants will pay the plan review fees and the permit fees
- For SolarApp+ applications, applicants will only pay the permit fees.
Financing, Incentives, and Tax Exemptions
Typically solar installations are paid for through loans or cash, with Federal and State incentives available.
- A Homeowner’s Guide to Solar Financing - learn about different financing options in this resource developed by CESA, the Clean Energy States Alliance.
- Rooftop Solar Financing 101 - an informative short video from the GW Solar Institute explaining different solar financing options.
Solar Access and Solar Easements
The Commonwealth of Virginia has adopted an energy policy favorable to renewable energy development and the rights of homeowners to harness electricity from renewables.
This Energy Policy promotes multiple objectives including, “Enhancing the ability of private property owners to generate their own renewable energy for their own personal use from renewable energy sources on their property.”
In some areas, Homeowners Associations have enacted restrictions to prohibit solar development in those neighborhoods. Recent legislation on the state level has provided extra protection to homeowners in this regard.
If you live in a subdivision, or other area with restrictive covenants, be sure to review those before you plan a solar installation on your property.
Solar Easements are a tool that some property owners use to ensure the continued solar availability of their site. This tool is often used by neighbors who are in close proximity to property lines and may have concerns regarding shading of their solar investment.
A solar easement is similar to other types of property easements and would need to be drawn up as a legal document by an attorney and agreed upon by both you and your neighbor. The provisions of an easement are enforceable by court proceedings and the local permitting office would not enforce a solar easement.
The solar easement would run with the land, as would other types of easements such as access easements and/or utility easements. They can contain terms and conditions with time limits if needed. If you are interested in developing a solar easement with your neighbor the first step would be to contact your attorney. This code section illustrates what items should be included in the easement language.