Solar Installer in Virginia: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Energy

Solar installers in Virginia earn a statewide median of $49,190, with wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Virginia licensing picture, and where to train.

What Solar installers Earn in Virginia (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for solar installers in major Virginia markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Virginia

Prices in Virginia run about 1% above the national average (cost-of-living index 101.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $49,190 median is worth closer to $48,655 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Virginia (2024–2034)

Virginia is projected to grow solar installers employment +10.8%, slower than the +42.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 120 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Virginia License and Certification Requirements

None for panel mounting; electrical connections require DPOR-licensed electricians — regulated by the No Virginia solar-specific installer license — electrical work requires DPOR-licensed electricians.

1. Virginia has no solar installer license. Installation crews work under licensed Electrical Contractors; the wiring, inverter connections, and utility interconnection must be performed by licensed electricians.
2. The strongest long-term move: pursue the DPOR Electrical Apprentice/Journeyman pathway while working on solar crews — you become legally qualified to perform the high-value electrical work.
3. NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification (voluntary, national) raises pay and is increasingly expected by Virginia's largest solar employers.

Official requirements: No Virginia solar-specific installer license — electrical work requires DPOR-licensed electricians →

Training in Virginia

Virginia has become one of the top utility-scale solar states — major projects in Southside Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley are among the largest in the mid-Atlantic. Dominion Energy's clean energy commitments drive continued development. Residential solar is most active in Northern Virginia and the Richmond suburbs. Companies like Sigora Solar, SunPower, and Dominion contractor teams hire year-round.

Where Solar installers Work in Virginia

Real Virginia power plants that employ solar installers include:

• Pleinmont Solar 2 — Spotsylvania
• Skipjack Solar Center — Wayside
• Highlander Solar Energy Station 1 — Spotsylvania
• Cavalier Solar — Smithfield
• Carvers Creek Solar — Gloucester
• Fort Powhatan Solar — Disputanta

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want fast entry into energy work and can handle roofs and outdoor labor.

Think twice if: You need high starting pay, indoor work, or stable hours from day one.

Why it's resilient: Installation is physical and local, though the work can be sensitive to incentives and construction cycles.

First Steps

Find local installers hiring helpers and compare NABCEP-aligned training options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Virginia statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2231. Licensing summary compiled from the No Virginia solar-specific installer license — electrical work requires DPOR-licensed electricians (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Virginia wages · Virginia licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.