In short: Richmond, Henrico and most of Chesterfield are on Dominion Energy, which averaged 14.09¢ per kWh for homes in 2024 and about 172 minutes of outages per customer. The bigger local risk is ice: FEMA rates Henrico and Chesterfield “Relatively High” for ice storms and winter weather. The sun is good, about 1,250 kWh per kW a year (estimate).
This page covers the City of Richmond, Henrico County and Chesterfield County. Statewide rules (net metering after the 2026 SCC order, the solar property tax exemption, the 2027 plug-in solar law, contractor licensing) are on our Virginia energy guide.
Richmond at a glance
- Dominion Energy Virginia (all of Richmond and Henrico, most of Chesterfield): 14.09¢/kWh average for homes in 2024; outages 172 minutes per customer with major events, 131 without (Virginia-wide figures).
- Southside Electric Cooperative (parts of Chesterfield): 15.48¢/kWh; 392 minutes with major events, 309 without.
- Sun: about 4.27 kWh per square meter per day (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,250 kWh a year per kW of panels.
- Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index): Henrico and Chesterfield are “Relatively Moderate” overall, with ice storms, lightning and winter weather “Relatively High”. The City of Richmond is “Relatively Low”, with nothing above “Relatively Moderate” (heat waves, inland flooding, lightning, tornadoes and earthquakes).
- Public charging: 369 ports at 142 locations in Richmond (AFDC, October 3, 2026). Henrico and Chesterfield list most stations under mailing-town names, so we do not give a county count.
Prices are 2024 averages from EIA-861 (home revenue divided by home sales), so they include fixed charges. The statewide price has since risen (17.55¢ in July 2026), so use them to compare utilities. Outage minutes are utility-wide across Virginia, and Dominion reports them under a different standard from the co-op.
Your utility and what it means
- Dominion Energy Virginia: almost every home in the metro. Net metering follows the SCC rules on our state page, with exported energy credited at retail over the year. Dominion had about 53,400 net-metered home solar systems in Virginia at the end of 2024 (EIA). For EV owners, Dominion’s EV Charger Rewards program pays $125 for a qualifying Level 2 charger and $40 a year if you let Dominion briefly adjust charging during peak events (single-family homes on a standard rate, not the Off-Peak Plan). Check the program page; terms change.
- Southside Electric Cooperative: serves parts of southern and western Chesterfield. Co-ops set their own solar and EV terms under state rules; ask Southside before you sign a contract. Its 2024 price was a little higher than Dominion’s and its outages longer, which makes backup worth a closer look.
Backup power in Richmond
A typical Dominion customer was without power for about two to three hours in 2024. Richmond’s particular risk is winter: Henrico and Chesterfield both rate “Relatively High” for ice storms, when heavy ice on trees brings down lines and the outage arrives in the cold. Plan for heat, not just lights: a gas furnace still needs electricity for its blower and controls.
- Apartments and townhomes: a portable power station keeps phones, Wi-Fi, a CPAP and lights going.
- Houses: a home battery covers short outages silently, but winter sun is weak for recharging; a standby generator on natural gas or propane is the steadier choice for multi-day ice storms.
- Generators in Chesterfield: the County requires an electrical permit for a permanent generator tied to your panel, with rough-in, service-change release and final inspections.
- Safety: portable generators outdoors only, 20 feet or more from the house, exhaust away from doors and windows, never in a garage (CPSC); carbon monoxide alarms on every level; a transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician.
Size your system with the generator sizing calculator or the battery backup calculator, and see our backup power guide and generator installation.
Solar in Richmond
A rough estimate: a 7 kW system at about 1,250 kWh per kW makes roughly 8,700 kWh a year, worth about $1,230 a year at Dominion’s 2024 average of 14.09¢, or about $1,350 at Southside’s 15.48¢. Because Virginia credits exports at retail over the year, most of that value holds whether you use the power at noon or export it. These are estimates, not promises.
The City of Richmond is a SolSmart Gold community: it allows solar by right as an accessory use in every zoning district (not in front yards) and commits to timely permit review. Try our solar potential tool, then read solar panel cost and solar installation.
Batteries
With retail net metering, a battery here is mainly about backup rather than bill savings. If ice-storm outages worry you, size it for the essentials, such as the furnace blower, fridge, sump pump and Wi-Fi, and pair it with solar or a small generator for longer events. See home battery installation, home battery cost and solar battery storage.
EV charging
Richmond has 369 public charging ports. At home, a labelled estimate at about 30 kWh per 100 miles and 2024 average prices: about $4.23 per 100 miles on Dominion (roughly $510 a year for 12,000 miles) and $4.64 on Southside (about $560). Dominion’s charger rewards or a time-of-use plan can lower that.
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Richmond: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
A Level 2 charger needs an electrical permit and a licensed electrician; townhome owners should check HOA rules first. The federal charger credit ended for chargers placed in service after June 30, 2026. See EV charger installation and our EV charging cost calculator.
Permits and inspections
- City of Richmond: solar projects use the City’s Electrical Permit Application, with the fee based on the cost of the system (Richmond sustainability: solar); permits come from the Bureau of Permits and Inspections.
- Chesterfield County: Building Inspection requires an electrical permit for solar wiring, with rough-in and final inspections; apply and schedule inspections in the County’s ELM portal.
- Henrico County: apply through the County’s permit center (Build Henrico) and ask which permits your project needs.
- Who does the work: a DPOR-licensed contractor and electrician (look them up through our state page), a licensed gas fitter for generator gas lines, and HOA approval first where you have one.
Cities we cover
- Richmond
- Henrico County
- Chesterfield County
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Richmond energy FAQ
Who provides electricity in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield?
Dominion Energy Virginia serves all of the City of Richmond and Henrico County and most of Chesterfield. Southside Electric Cooperative serves parts of Chesterfield (EIA, 2024). Your bill shows which you have; the two set different prices and solar terms.
Do I need a building permit for solar in Chesterfield?
Chesterfield’s residential permit guide lists an electrical permit for solar wiring, with a rough-in and a final electrical inspection. Roof structure questions can still come up, so let your installer confirm with Building Inspection before work starts, along with Dominion’s interconnection approval.
What backup power makes sense for Richmond ice storms?
Ice storms rate “Relatively High” in Henrico and Chesterfield, and they come with cold weather and short days. A natural gas or propane standby generator handles multi-day outages best; a battery handles short ones quietly. Either way, plan to keep the furnace blower running.
Is Richmond a good place for solar?
Yes, by Virginia standards. Richmond gets about 4.27 kWh per square meter per day, more than Northern Virginia, and retail net metering keeps exported energy valuable. Our rough estimate is about $1,230 a year for a 7 kW system on Dominion; shade and roof direction matter most.
Sources
Utility areas, prices, outages and home solar counts: EIA-861, 2024 data. EV program: Dominion EV Charger Rewards program site. Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Sun: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020. Charging ports: AFDC Station Locator, October 3, 2026. Permits: City of Richmond, Chesterfield County Building Inspection, Henrico County. Generator safety: CPSC. Checked October 3, 2026.