How to Submit Your Virginia SCC Plug-In Solar Notification: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

By PlugInSolarUS Editorial Team · Published 2026-07-15 · Updated July 2026 · 9 min read

Virginia's HB 395 requires a simple notification (not permission) before installing plug-in solar. Walk through the SCC form, utility submission, and landlord notification — the entire process takes under 10 minutes.

Introduction

Virginia's plug-in solar law (HB 395, Chapter 1052) requires anyone installing a plug-in solar system to submit a notification to their electric utility. This is not an approval process — no one can deny your installation. The notification exists solely so utilities know which circuits have small solar generation connected, which helps with grid safety and outage restoration.

This guide walks you through the entire notification process: what the form asks for, how to submit it, what to tell your landlord, and what happens after you submit.

Understanding the Notification Requirement

What "Notification" Means Under Virginia Law

The word "notification" is deliberate. Virginia's law does not require permission, approval, or an interconnection agreement. It requires that you inform your utility that you are installing a plug-in solar system. The utility cannot deny your installation, charge you fees, require inspections, or delay your project.

This is fundamentally different from the traditional solar interconnection process, which requires utility approval, engineering review, and often a bidirectional meter installation. HB 395 explicitly exempts plug-in solar systems (under 1,200W) from all of those requirements.

Who Must Submit a Notification

Every Virginia resident installing a plug-in solar system must notify their electric utility. This applies whether you are a renter in an apartment building, a homeowner in a single-family house, a condo owner, or a tenant in a townhouse or duplex. If you rent, you must also notify your landlord in writing — but again, this is notification, not a request for permission.

The SCC Notification Form

Current Status

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) is developing the standardized notification form as directed by HB 395. The form is expected to be published by September 2026, ahead of the law's consumer provisions taking effect on January 1, 2027.

Once the form is available, we will update this guide with a direct link and screenshots of the completed form. In the meantime, the information below is based on the law's requirements and comparable forms from other states (Utah, Colorado).

What the Form Will Likely Ask

Section	Information Required	Where to Find It
Customer Information	Full name, contact information, service address, account number, meter number	Your utility bill
Utility Provider	Dominion Energy, Appalachian Power, co-op name, or municipal utility	Your utility bill
System Specifications	Model name and model number of the device	Product packaging or spec sheet
Safety Certification	Name of the nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) that certified the device	Product label or manufacturer website
Acknowledgments	Confirmation that system is ≤1,200W and NRTL-certified	Checkbox

What You Will NOT Need to Provide

The following items, which are required for traditional solar interconnection, are explicitly not required for plug-in solar notification under HB 395: electrical diagrams or single-line drawings, licensed electrician certification, building permit documentation, utility engineering review or approval, insurance documentation (for the utility), or a bidirectional meter request.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Submitting Your Notification

Step 1: Gather Your Information

Before you begin, collect the following from your utility bill (full name, service address, utility account number, meter number, utility provider name), and from your solar system (manufacturer name and model number, total AC wattage output, and the name of the nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) that certified the device — found on the product label).

Step 2: Verify Your Outlet

HB 395 requires that plug-in solar systems connect "through an electrical outlet." The law does not specify GFCI protection, but as a best practice we recommend using a GFCI-protected outlet (identifiable by "Test" and "Reset" buttons on the face). GFCI outlets are standard on outdoor outlets, bathroom outlets, and kitchen outlets in homes built after 1971. If your balcony or patio outlet is not GFCI-protected, consider using a portable GFCI adapter for added safety.

Step 3: Complete the SCC Notification Form

Once the form is published (expected September 2026), complete all sections. The form should take approximately 5–10 minutes to fill out. Double-check that your wattage does not exceed 1,200W and that your NRTL certification information is accurate.

Step 4: Submit to Your Utility

Submit the completed form to your electric utility. The submission method will be specified on the form — likely online portal (most likely for Dominion Energy), email to a designated address, or mail to a specified address.

Important: You do not need to wait for a response. The utility cannot deny your installation or require you to wait for approval. Once you have submitted the form, you have fulfilled your legal obligation.

Step 5: Notify Your Landlord (If You Rent)

If you are a renter, send written notification to your landlord. This should include what you are installing (manufacturer, model, wattage), where you are installing it (specific location), when you plan to install it, and a reference to Virginia Code (HB 395, Chapter 1052) establishing your legal right.

Keep a copy of this notification and any response. Send it via email (for a timestamp) or certified mail (for proof of delivery). Our Landlord Letter Generator creates a professional notification letter pre-filled with Virginia-specific legal references.

Step 6: Install Your System

After submitting your utility notification and landlord notification, you may proceed with installation on or after January 1, 2027. No waiting period is required beyond the law's effective date.

What Happens After You Submit

Utility Response

Your utility is not required to respond to your notification. They may send an acknowledgment, but they cannot deny your installation, require additional documentation, schedule an inspection, charge you any fees, or require a meter change. If your utility attempts any of these actions, they are violating Virginia law. Document the communication and contact the SCC's Division of Public Utility Regulation.

Landlord Response

If your building has more than four units, your landlord cannot prohibit your installation. They may respond with reasonable restrictions on placement or size, which you should evaluate for compliance with the law's "reasonable" standard. Restrictions that effectively prevent installation (e.g., "panels may not be visible from any angle") may not qualify as "reasonable."

Virginia Utilities: Contact Information for Notifications

Utility	Service Territory	Expected Submission Method
Dominion Energy Virginia	Eastern and central Virginia (Richmond, Norfolk, Northern Virginia)	Online portal (likely via dominionenergy.com)
Appalachian Power (APCo)	Western Virginia (Roanoke, Lynchburg, southwest VA)	TBD — check appalachianpower.com
Old Dominion Power	Far southwest Virginia	TBD
Municipal utilities	Danville, Martinsville, etc.	Contact your local utility directly
Electric cooperatives	Rural Virginia (BARC, CVEC, Mecklenburg, etc.)	Contact your co-op directly

We will update this table with specific submission links once the SCC publishes the notification form.

Comparison: Virginia's Process vs. Other States

Virginia's notification process is among the simplest in the country. Here is how it compares to other states with enacted plug-in solar laws:

State	Process Type	Form Required?	Utility Can Deny?	Wait Period?
Virginia	Notification	Yes (SCC form)	No	None
Utah	Notification	Yes (utility form)	No	None
Colorado	Notification	Yes (utility form)	No	None
Maine	Notification	Yes (utility form)	No	None
Maryland	Pre-installation notification	Yes	No	30 days before installation
Connecticut	Registration	Yes	No	None
Vermont	Registration	Yes (PUC form)	No	None
New Hampshire	Notification	Yes	No	None

Virginia's process is notable for being purely informational with no waiting period — you can install immediately after submitting your notification (once the law takes effect January 1, 2027).

Common Questions About the Notification Process

Q: What if the SCC form isn't available yet?

A: The law's consumer provisions do not take effect until January 1, 2027. The SCC is required to publish the form before that date. Do not install a system before the form is available and the law is in effect.

Q: Can I submit the notification before I buy my system?

A: The form will likely ask for specific system details (manufacturer, model, UL certification number). You should purchase your system first, then submit the notification with accurate information.

Q: What if I upgrade my system later (e.g., add more panels)?

A: The law is not yet specific on this point. Best practice: submit a new notification if your system wattage changes significantly. The total must remain at or below 1,200W.

Q: Do I need to notify anyone when I move out and take my system?

A: The law does not explicitly require a "de-notification," but informing your utility when you disconnect the system is good practice and helps maintain accurate grid records.

Q: Is there a fee for submitting the notification?

A: No. HB 395 explicitly prohibits utilities from charging fees related to plug-in solar installations.

Timeline Summary

When	Action
Now	Assess your space, check your outlet, research systems
September 2026	SCC notification form expected to be published
Late 2026	Purchase your NRTL-certified plug-in solar system
January 1, 2027	Submit notification form to utility and landlord
January 1, 2027+	Install your system (same day as notification is fine)

Next Steps

Check your readiness: Virginia Readiness Checker
Estimate your savings: Virginia Savings Calculator
Generate a landlord letter: Landlord Letter Generator
Read the full renter guide: Virginia Plug-In Solar for Renters
Track the law's progress: Virginia State Page