TURN YOUR ROOF INTO A
LONG-TERM ASSET

Rooftop Solar Leasing, Guided by Commonwealth Power

Commercial rooftops across Virginia are about to have their moment in the sun.  Utility companies are offering rooftop solar leasing programs that allow qualifying commercial property owners to lease roof space for utility-owned rooftop solar projects. Think of this less like an energy project — and more like a long-term, high-credit tenant leasing your rooftop space. 

Different from on-site solar used to power a building, this is a roof lease for utility-owned solar that feeds electricity directly to the grid.

The program allows utility companies to meet the fast-rising energy demand in Virginia. And you receive long-term lease revenue without any capital investment. 

Commonwealth Power helps property owners understand whether their building is a good fit and guides the process from initial screening through project approval. 

This page explains how the program works, who it’s best for, and how to take the next step.

Schedule a Quick Screening Call

How the Rooftop Solar Leasing Program Works

Utility companies offer a rooftop solar leasing program that enables qualifying commercial buildings to host a utility-owned, grid-connected rooftop solar system under a long-term roof lease.

  • The utility owns, operates, and maintains the system

  • The electricity feeds directly into the grid

  • The building owner receives lease payments for use of their roof

  • There is no cost to participate

Commonwealth Power supports property owners by identifying suitable sites, completing early diligence, and preparing projects for the utility’s review and acquisition process.

How Does Solar Leasing Add to Your Property’s Value?

For owners, this program is a way to monetize underutilized roof space while helping to meet energy demand growth in Virginia — without changing how the building operates.

  • Long-term, predictable roof lease payments

  • No capital investment required

  • No ownership or operational responsibility

  • No change to how you buy or use electricity

This program is best suited for owners of large, structurally capable commercial or industrial rooftops located within the utility’s service territory.

Ideal building types include:

  • Warehouses and logistics facilities

  • Self-storage properties

  • Large industrial or distribution buildings

The most successful projects tend to have:

  • Long-term ownership horizons (20–30 years)

  • Relatively new or well-maintained roofs

  • Clear roof layouts with minimal obstructions

Who Is This Program Best For?

Schedule a Quick Screening Call

Our Commonwealth Power team acts as a developer and local guide for property owners exploring this program.

We help by:

  • Identifying eligible rooftops

  • Completing early diligence (roof studies, surveys, interconnection screening)

  • Coordinating required documentation and approvals for the utility review

  • Advancing projects through the acquisition or construction process

We help property owners evaluate whether this opportunity makes sense for their building and, if it does, prepare the full proposal.

What Role Does Commonwealth Power Play?

  • No. The solar asset generates power that goes to the grid. It does not serve your building’s load or change how you purchase electricity.

  • There is no upfront cost to the building owner. Development, engineering, installation, and long-term maintenance are handled as part of the program. Commonwealth Power works with property owners at no cost to evaluate fit and guide the process from early screening through proposal submission.

  • The utility company  owns the system and is responsible for its operation, insurance, and maintenance for the life of the lease.

  • Roof leases are typically 20–30 years, aligned with the operating life of the solar system.

  • The roof lease is designed to remain in place and transfer with the property, subject to standard provisions.

  • These details are addressed in the lease, including:

    • Standards for penetrations and flashing

    • Protection of existing roof warranties

    • Coordination protocols for future roof work or replacement

    Projects typically target roofs with at least 20 years of remaining life.

  • There is no published minimum, but larger, contiguous rooftops are generally better candidates. We can confirm if your roof is suitable during our initial screening.

  • Lease payments vary based on usable roof area and site characteristics. They are fixed and contractually defined, not tied to energy prices or system performance. Our initial screening process is designed to provide a targeted range depending on key project inputs.

  • Installation is primarily rooftop work and is coordinated to minimize disruption. Access and staging needs vary by site.

  • The phases include: 

    → Initial site screening 

    → Feasibility review 

    → Lease and project approvals 

    → Detailed design and permitting 

    → Construction 

    → Commissioning and operation

    Because these projects involve utilities and regulated programs, the early phases take time — but that’s also what makes the lease stable and low-risk.

    Most of the timeline occurs off-site — during studies, approvals, and utility coordination. The construction phase itself moves quickly.

How to Get Started

The first step is a short conversation with our team to review basic facility details and see if your building would be a good fit.

Email

Or call Ian Picard at 804-921-4557

Quick Rooftop Screening

Prefer not to call yet? Share a few details, and we’ll confirm whether your building is a fit.