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Alexandria, Virginia · Tax exemption

Solar Energy Equipment Tax Exemption (City of Alexandria)

Run by City of Alexandria Department of Code Administration and Office of Real Estate Assessments

Alexandria deducts 100% of the cost and installation of solar panels from your property's assessed value every year for five years. No cost to apply.

Open Checked Oct 20, 2026

Amounts

How much you get

The installed cost (equipment plus installation) is deducted from the property's assessed value every year for five years; for solar panels and hot water systems that's 100% of cost. Savings = exempt value / 100 x the year's tax rate. Passive measures like south-facing windows or greenhouses count at a percentage set in 13 VAC 5-200.

Eligibility

Do I qualify?

You need to meet all 4 of these.

  • Your home is in Alexandria, Virginia.

  • Property owner who resides in Alexandria and holds title to the property. Residential and commercial property both qualify.

  • Solar equipment designed and used primarily to collect and use solar energy for water heating, space heating or cooling, or other uses that would otherwise need a conventional energy source.

  • Requires the building permit, and all inspections must be approved before Code Administration certifies the application to the Assessor.

    What to doHave your installer get the permits and pass inspection; most contractors handle the permit paperwork.

Applying

How to apply

You apply in person. No deadline published; the Assessor's letter states the years the exemption applies.

  1. Apply for the permits and submit the certification application.

    To the Permit Center, 4th floor of City Hall, 301 King Street, Room 4200, with plans, a narrative (rated capacity, intended performance, estimated energy and cost savings) and cost documentation.

  2. Pass all required inspections.

    Code Administration certifies the application to the Assessor.

  3. Receive the Assessor's letter.

    It gives the exemption amount and the years it applies.

What you'll need

  • Certification application

  • Plans

  • specifications and drawings

  • Narrative description

  • Cost documentation (receipts

  • cancelled checks or contracts)

  • Permit application

Forms and instructionsSolar Energy Equipment Tax Exemption (information sheet and application, 1/24)

Questions about applying703-746-4200

Your address

Next steps

Check that it covers your address. Then, if you want, ask for a contractor quote.

FAQ

Questions

How much does Solar Energy Equipment Tax Exemption (City of Alexandria) pay?

The installed cost (equipment plus installation) is deducted from the property's assessed value every year for five years; for solar panels and hot water systems that's 100% of cost. Savings = exempt value / 100 x the year's tax rate. Passive measures like south-facing windows or greenhouses count at a percentage set in 13 VAC 5-200.

Do renters qualify?

Property owner who resides in Alexandria and holds title to the property. Residential and commercial property both qualify.

Do I need approval before I buy?

Requires the building permit, and all inspections must be approved before Code Administration certifies the application to the Assessor. Have your installer get the permits and pass inspection; most contractors handle the permit paperwork.

What’s the deadline?

No fixed deadline. Apply any time while it’s open.

Is it still available?

Yes. It was open when we last checked, on October 20, 2026.

References

Sources

This page is built from these official pages, run by the program itself.

  1. Going Solar (City of Alexandria)alexandriava.gov · Read Oct 20, 2026 · Re-checked weekly
  2. Solar Energy Equipment Tax Exemption (information sheet and application, 1/24)alexandriava.gov · Read Oct 20, 2026 · Re-checked monthly

When one of these pages changes, we re-check this page against it.

Report a problem with this page

Nearby

More in Virginia

  • All of Virginia

    Exemption for solar facilities of 25 kW or less (Va. Code § 58.1-3661 A)

    Amount varies

    Statewide, a home or farm solar system of 25 kW DC or less, installed as Virginia's solar zoning law allows on residential or agricultural property, is wholly exempt from state and local taxes, including property tax on the equipment.

    Checked Oct 20, 2026

  • Arlington County, Virginia

    Arlington County Solar Exemption Tax Credit Program

    Amount varies

    Arlington County credits the assessed value of certified solar equipment against your real estate tax bill every year for five years, starting January 1 after approval.

    Checked Oct 21, 2026

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    ElecTel Energy Efficient Loan (Mecklenburg and Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperatives)

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    Checked Oct 20, 2026