In short: Roanoke is Appalachian Power territory, not Dominion. Appalachian Power averaged 17.02¢ per kWh for Virginia homes in 2024, the highest of our Virginia metros, and its customers lost about 1,714 minutes of power that year (about 29 hours) once major events are counted. That makes both solar and backup worth a serious look.
This page covers Roanoke and the neighboring Roanoke County and Salem. Statewide rules (net metering, the solar property tax exemption, the 2027 plug-in solar law, contractor licensing) are on our Virginia energy guide.
Roanoke at a glance
- Appalachian Power (all of the City of Roanoke and much of Roanoke County): 17.02¢/kWh average for homes in 2024; outages 1,714 minutes per Virginia customer with major events and 342 without, about 2.3 interruptions a year with major events (EIA-861).
- City of Salem (city-owned utility; Salem and part of Roanoke County): 15.11¢/kWh; 27 minutes of outages in 2024, with or without major events.
- Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative also serves part of Roanoke County.
- Sun: about 4.22 kWh per square meter per day (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020). Our rough estimate: about 1,230 kWh a year per kW of panels.
- Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index): the City of Roanoke is “Relatively Low” overall, with strong wind “Relatively High” and inland flooding, lightning and winter weather “Relatively Moderate”. Roanoke County adds landslides at “Relatively Moderate”.
- Public charging: 80 ports at 27 locations in Roanoke (AFDC, October 3, 2026).
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). Appalachian Power’s outage minutes cover its whole Virginia service area, much of it rural and mountainous, so a city home may fare better.
Your utility and what it means
- Appalachian Power: the SCC kept its retail net metering in 2025 (see our state page). Its January 2024 Virginia net metering package sets a 25 kW AC limit for homes, and the system may not be sized to make more than you used in the previous 12 months. You apply for pre-approval before buying; a licensed electrician signs the form when the job is done; systems over 10 kW AC pay a $50 inspection fee. Appalachian Power says most home interconnections take under 30 days.
- City of Salem: a city-owned utility with its own terms; it had 94 net-metered home solar systems at the end of 2024 (EIA). Ask Salem’s electric department before you sign.
- Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative: co-ops set their own solar terms under state rules; ask the co-op.
Appalachian Power customers are ahead on batteries: of about 700 battery-paired home solar systems reported in Virginia for 2024, 675 were on Appalachian Power (EIA). It reported about 4,900 net-metered home solar systems in all.
Backup power in Roanoke
In an ordinary year an Appalachian Power customer was without power for about five and a half hours. In 2024, major events pushed that past 28 hours. Strong wind is Roanoke’s top FEMA hazard, and winter storms in the valley can leave homes cold for days. That is the case for backup that runs for days, not hours.
- Houses: a standby generator on natural gas or propane covers multi-day outages; a dual-fuel portable with an interlock is the budget option. A home battery with solar covers shorter outages silently.
- Homes on wells or with sump pumps: size for the pump’s starting load; a 240 V well pump often needs a larger generator than people expect.
- Apartments: a portable power station keeps phones, Wi-Fi, a CPAP and lights going.
- 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 with a permit.
Size your system with the generator sizing calculator or the battery backup calculator, and see our backup power guide and generator installation.
Solar in Roanoke
A rough estimate: a 7 kW system at about 1,230 kWh per kW makes roughly 8,600 kWh a year. At Appalachian Power’s 2024 average of 17.02¢ that is worth about $1,470 a year, the most of our Virginia metros, because the price is higher; at Salem’s 15.11¢, about $1,300. Remember the cap: Appalachian Power will not approve a system sized to produce more than your past year’s use.
Mountain and valley homes often face shade from ridges and trees, so a site check matters more than the regional average. Try our solar potential tool, then read solar panel cost and solar installation.
Batteries
Net metering already credits exports at retail, so a battery’s value here is backup, and with Appalachian Power’s 2024 outage record that value is real. Pair it with solar for longer outages, or with a small generator for winter storms when the sun is weak. See home battery installation, home battery cost and solar battery storage.
EV charging
Roanoke has 80 public charging ports, so home charging does most of the work. A labelled estimate at about 30 kWh per 100 miles and 2024 average prices: about $5.11 per 100 miles on Appalachian Power (roughly $610 a year for 12,000 miles) and $4.53 in Salem (about $540). Ask your utility about any time-of-use rate.
Drive on another fuel? See every alternative fuel station in Roanoke: hydrogen, propane, natural gas, E85 ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel.
A Level 2 charger needs an electrical permit and a licensed electrician. 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 Roanoke: its solar energy page asks for an Electrical Permit Application with plans and equipment specs, and the City says it reviews single- and two-family applications within 5 business days once the application is complete.
- Roanoke County and Salem: ask your county or city permit office which permits apply.
- Appalachian Power: get its net metering pre-approval before you buy, then its final review and meter change before you switch on.
- 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
- Roanoke
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Roanoke energy FAQ
Is Roanoke on Dominion or Appalachian Power?
Appalachian Power serves the City of Roanoke. Salem has its own city utility, and Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative serves part of Roanoke County (EIA, 2024). Dominion’s programs and rates do not apply here.
How big a solar system will Appalachian Power allow?
Up to 25 kW AC for a home, and no larger than needed to match your previous 12 months of use, according to its January 2024 Virginia net metering package. Systems over 10 kW AC pay a $50 inspection fee. Apply for pre-approval before you sign a purchase contract.
Why were Appalachian Power outages so long in 2024?
EIA’s 2024 figures show 1,714 outage minutes per customer with major events against 342 without, so a few large events did most of the damage. Those are averages over Appalachian Power’s whole Virginia area, much of it rural mountains; ask the utility about your own circuit.
Does solar pay better in Roanoke than in the rest of Virginia?
Per kWh, often yes, because Appalachian Power’s 2024 price was about 3¢ higher than Dominion’s while the sun is similar. Our rough estimate is about $1,470 a year for a 7 kW system. Shade from hills and trees is the main thing that can change that.
Sources
Utility areas, prices, outages and home solar and battery counts: EIA-861, 2024 data. Net metering terms: Appalachian Power Virginia Net Metering package (January 2024) and quick guide. Hazards: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025. Sun: NASA POWER, 2001 to 2020. Charging ports: AFDC Station Locator, October 3, 2026. Permits: City of Roanoke. Generator safety: CPSC. Checked October 3, 2026.