Plug-In Solar in Virginia — Legal
Bill: HB 395 / SB 250 (Chapter 1052) — Plug-In Solar Devices — Consumer Protection Act
Sponsor: Del. Paul Krizek (HB 395); Sen. Scott Surovell (SB 250)
Legislative Status: Signed into law by Governor Spanberger on April 22, 2026 as Chapter 1052. The first-enactment provisions take effect January 1, 2027. The SCC notification form is due on or before September 1, 2026, and the safety-workgroup report is due November 15, 2026.
Current Status: Enacted — first-enactment provisions effective January 1, 2027. Confirm the current notification process directly with the SCC or your utility.
Is Plug-In Solar Legal in Virginia?
Virginia enacted a plug-in solar framework under HB 395/SB 250 as Chapter 1052. Its first-enactment provisions take effect January 1, 2027. Qualifying portable devices up to 1,200 W then have a defined pathway with safety, renter, and locality protections. Use the implementation period to review equipment, space, property conditions, and current SCC or utility guidance before installation.
Last Updated: August 26, 2026
Key Information
| Average Electricity Rate | 16.4¢/kWh |
| Estimated Annual Savings | $210/year |
| TOU Rate Spread | 5¢/kWh |
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.5 |
| Retail Choice | limited |
Key Provisions
Establishes a framework for qualifying small portable solar generation devices, including a 1,200W limit and renter/locality protections. The publicly available SCC page currently addresses standard net-metering interconnection; customers should obtain current SCC or utility guidance before treating any specific portable-device notification process as available.
Law Provisions
| Effective Date | First-enactment provisions effective January 1, 2027; SCC form due September 1, 2026; safety report due November 15, 2026 |
| Wattage Limit | 1,200W AC output |
| UL 3700 | referenced — Referenced but not required |
| HOA Provision | Prevents localities from prohibiting small portable solar generation devices on residential structures, provided requirements are met. |
| Renter Provision | Allows tenants to install small portable solar generation devices and prevents landlords from prohibiting such installation under certain circumstances. |
| Utility Approval | See enacted law and current utility/SCC guidance; do not rely on the standard net-metering process as a portable-device process without confirmation. |
| Permit Required | Beginning January 1, 2027, a qualifying device is exempt from traditional interconnection and net-metering requirements and utility approval or device-related fees, subject to Chapter 1052's conditions. |
| Backfeed/Net Metering | Small portable solar generation devices are excluded from net metering programs. Device must include a feature that prevents exporting power to the electric grid or affecting the electrical system during a power outage (anti-islanding). |
| Key Differences | Virginia has a distinct statutory framework for small portable solar generation devices, but implementation details should be confirmed against current SCC and utility guidance. Landlord protections apply under the statute's conditions. |
| Notable Omissions | Do not infer that the standard SCC net-metering process applies to a portable device. Confirm product, circuit, property, utility, and local-code requirements before installation. |
What You Can Do
Review the enacted framework for qualifying devices up to 1,200W and prepare for its January 1, 2027 effective date. Check product, property, circuit, and current SCC or utility requirements before installation.
What You Can't Do (Yet)
Do not assume a standard net-metering form, a product certification, or a particular outlet configuration establishes eligibility. Systems over the statutory limit and non-qualifying configurations may be subject to other requirements.
Available Rebates & Incentives
Virginia net metering allows bill credits for excess solar generation (residential systems up to 20 kW). Local property tax exemptions for solar available in many Virginia localities. Virginia RECs can be sold through aggregators. No active utility rebate from Dominion Energy or APCo for residential solar in 2026. The federal 30% ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025.
Incentive Program Links
- Virginia Net Energy Metering — State Code — Residential systems up to 20 kW eligible for net metering bill credits.
- Virginia RECs — State Corporation Commission — Earn and sell Renewable Energy Certificates for solar generation.
- Virginia Local Property Tax Exemption — State Code — Many VA localities exempt solar equipment from local property tax — check your county.
- DSIRE — Virginia Solar Incentives — Full list of Virginia state and utility solar incentive programs.
Demographics (US Census 2023)
| Population | 8,880,107 |
| Total Households | 3,365,732 |
| Owner-Occupied | 2,255,036 |
| Renter-Occupied | 1,110,696 |
| Single-Family Homes | 2,269,921 |
| Apartment Units (5+) | 70,318 |
| Median Household Income | $87,249 |
| Median Home Value | $357,100 |
Solar Resource Data (NREL PVWatts)
| Peak Sun Hours/Day | 4.35 |
| Optimal Tilt Angle | 38° |
| Optimal Azimuth | Due South (180°) |
| Est. Annual kWh (800W system) | 1105 kWh |
| Best Solar Months | June-August |
Major Utilities
| Utility | Customers | Net Metering |
|---|---|---|
| Dominion Energy | ~3.6 million customers (VA, NC, SC) | Yes |
| Appalachian Power | ~1 million customers (VA, WV, TN) | Yes |
| Rappahannock Electric Cooperative | ~184,000 connections | Yes |
| Central Virginia Electric Cooperative | ~39,000 accounts | Yes |
News Coverage
- Virginia HB 395 signed into law — Chapter 1052 (statutory provisions effective January 1, 2027) — Virginia LIS (April 22, 2026)
- Virginia legislature passes balcony solar bill — House 96-0 — Utility Dive (March 12, 2026)
- Virginia plug-in solar panels near approval by General Assembly — Virginia Mercury (March 10, 2026)
- Bill allowing balcony solar kits in Virginia awaits governor's signature — WTOP News (March 2026)
- Balcony solar and why it's an important part of the energy mix — Third Act Virginia (March 29, 2026)
- Virginia set to enact laws for cleaner, cheaper power — Canary Media (March 26, 2026)
Explore Your Next Steps in Virginia
Use these tools and guides alongside the state-specific rules above to evaluate your space, potential savings, and the right connection approach.
- Compare every state — Return to the national tracker to compare enacted laws, pending bills, and unclear jurisdictions.
- Check your VA setup readiness — Review placement, outlet, property, and state-rule questions before choosing equipment.
- Estimate savings in Virginia — Use your location and setup assumptions to estimate bill savings and storage value.
- Virginia HB 395: What the Balcony Solar Bill Means for Renters and Homeowners — Read the most relevant PlugInSolarUS article for Virginia.
- Behind the Bill: How Virginia Turned a Constituent Idea Into a Plug-In Solar Law — Follow the constituent idea, coalition work, legislative compromises, and implementation lessons behind Virginia’s law.
- Review plug-in solar safety standards — Understand equipment certification and the safety checks that may apply to a grid-connected setup.