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Virginia

⏳ Enacted — effective Jan 1, 2027

Plug-In Solar Legal Guide

HB 395 signed by Gov. Spanberger on April 22, 2026. Administrative provisions (SCC stakeholder work group, notification form development) took effect July 1, 2026. Consumer-facing provisions — when residents can legally install and operate plug-in solar — take effect January 1, 2027. No utility approval required (notification only). HOAs and landlords cannot prohibit qualifying devices.

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New to plug-in solar?

Plug-in solar lets anyone generate free electricity — no roof, no permit, no contractor. A single panel on your balcony can meaningfully cut your bill, especially as rates keep rising.

What is plug-in solar? →How it saves you money →

Payback Calculator

Pre-filled with Virginia's average rate ($0.145/kWh) and 4.5 daily peak sun hours. Adjust sliders to match your situation.

Best-fit kits for Virginia

sorted by your payback period
9yr payback~$2,853 lifetime savings

US Solar Supplier 810W Balcony Kit

Complete kit: Runergy panels, APsystems EZ1, SunModo awning racking. Under all 1,200W+ caps.

Output
810W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 12 yr
UL1741IEEE1547
$969~$108/yr avg cost
Shop Now →
9yr payback~$2,776 lifetime savings

PluggedSolar 800W Plug-In Kit

Four 200W panels + UL 1741 microinverter + WiFi monitor. Sold on Amazon.

Output
800W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
UL1741
$999~$111/yr avg cost
Buy on Amazon →
10yr payback~$1,357 lifetime savings

CraftStrom 400W Eco Line Plug-In Kit

400W Eco Line bifacial panel + ETL/UL 1741 microinverter. Fits Maine's 600W cap and now Virginia and Maryland's 1,200W caps.

Output
400W
Lifespan
25 yrs
●Panel warranty: 25 yr
●Inverter: 10 yr
ETLUL1741
$530~$53/yr avg cost
Shop Now →

Payback estimates use your current slider settings with each product's wattage and price. We earn an affiliate commission on purchases at no extra cost to you.

Default: 4.5h/day (Virginia avg)
$1,200
$900$2,200
800W
400W1200W
60%
30%100%
$0.145/kWh
$0.080/kWh$0.400/kWh
Rate Escalation Scenario
Year 1 Generation
670 kWh
56 kWh/mo
Year 1 Savings
$97
$8/mo
Payback Period
11 yrs
by year 11
25-Year Savings
$3,775
net $2,575
ℹPanels typically last 25–30 years with a 25-year output warranty. Microinverters carry a 10–25 year warranty depending on brand. Battery modules degrade faster — expect 10–15 years before capacity drops below 80%. The 25-year savings figure above assumes the panel and inverter run for the full window; budget ~$200–$400 for an inverter swap around year 15 if needed.
Cumulative Savings vs. Break-even ($)
Selected scenario2% escalation8% escalationBreak-even
Year-by-year table
YearkWh UsedRateSavingsCumulative
1670$0.145$97$97
2667$0.151$101$198
3663$0.157$104$302
4660$0.163$108$409
5657$0.170$111$521
6654$0.176$115$636
7650$0.183$119$755
8647$0.191$123$879
9644$0.198$128$1,007
10641$0.206$132$1,139
11Paid off637$0.215$137$1,276
12634$0.223$142$1,417
13631$0.232$146$1,564
14628$0.241$152$1,715
15625$0.251$157$1,872
16622$0.261$162$2,035
17618$0.272$168$2,202
18615$0.282$174$2,376
19612$0.294$180$2,556
20609$0.305$186$2,742
21606$0.318$193$2,935
22603$0.330$199$3,134
23600$0.344$206$3,340
24597$0.357$213$3,554
25594$0.372$221$3,775
Calculator AssumptionsSavings estimates are projections based on average sun hours, self-consumption assumptions, and rate escalation scenarios. Actual results vary by roof orientation, shading, usage patterns, and local rate schedules. The federal ITC for residential solar expired December 31, 2025.

Law Summary

HB 395HB 395 Full Text (lis.virginia.gov)

Last verified May 31, 2026·Virginia LIS — HB 395

Signed
Apr 2026
Effective
Jan 2027
Max size
1200W AC
Rate/kWh
$0.145
Sun hrs
4.5h/day
Utility
Dominion Energy
No permitNo utility approvalNo net meteringFederal ITC eligible

Verify with your state utility commission before installing. FAQ →

Legal DisclaimerLaws change. Information on this site reflects our best understanding of current statutes as of the date shown. It is not legal advice. Verify requirements with your state utility commission, local building department, and a qualified attorney before installation.

Electricity Cost Trend

↑ 4.0%/yr avg — Moderate
Rates up 22% over the past 5 years
From $0.119/kWh in 2021 → $0.145/kWh today. Every year you delay solar, your bills compound.
4.0%
avg. annual increase
Historical avg. residential rate ($/kWh)
$0.119
2021
$0.124
2022
$0.129
2023
$0.134
2024
$0.139
2025
$0.145
2026
20-year projected rate
$0.318/kWh
at 4.0%/yr escalation
Extra you'll pay over 20 yrs*
$1,418
vs. today's rates (1,000 kWh/mo household)
Best time to go solar
Now
Each year of delay = a year of higher grid bills

HOA & Landlord Rules

The #1 real-world blocker for renters & condo owners
Can my HOA block it?
✓ HOA cannot block installation
Protected under: HB 779 (2026)

HOAs cannot prohibit or effectively prohibit the installation or use of a small portable solar generation device.

Can my landlord block it?
✓ Landlord cannot block installation

Landlords owning more than 4 rental dwelling units cannot prohibit tenants from installing a qualifying plug-in solar device on the exterior of the tenant's premises.

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Practical tip for Virginia renters and condo owners: Because plug-in solar requires no permanent installation — just an outlet — it is in a different legal category from rooftop solar. Many HOAs and landlords have not specifically addressed it in their rules. Ask in writing before assuming either yes or no.
Primary source

Utility: Dominion Energy Virginia / Appalachian Power

Net metering
✗ Not available
Interconnection
✓ Not required
Stance
Neutral stance

All Virginia utilities — investor-owned (Dominion, Appalachian Power), municipal, and cooperatives — are barred from imposing interconnection requirements, charging any fee related to the device, or requiring customer approval before installation. Zero-export only.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I install plug-in solar in Virginia?
January 1, 2027. HB 395 was signed in April 2026 and administrative setup began July 1, 2026. The consumer provisions — allowing residents to install and operate devices — take effect January 1, 2027.
What is the watt cap in Virginia?
1,200 watts per dwelling. The system must be nationally certified (UL or equivalent) and designed to plug into a standard outlet.
Do I need to notify Dominion Energy?
Yes — notification, not approval. You must submit a notification form to your utility (the SCC is developing the form). Your utility cannot deny, charge fees, or require an interconnection agreement.
Can my HOA or landlord block it?
No. HOAs and local governments cannot prohibit qualifying devices. Landlords can impose reasonable placement restrictions but cannot outright refuse. Tenants are responsible for any property damage.
Will I get credit for excess power I send to the grid?
No. Virginia's law is zero-export / self-consumption only. Plug-in solar is excluded from Virginia's net metering program.
Electrical Safety WarningPlug-in solar systems involve electrical connections that can cause fire, shock, or property damage if installed incorrectly. Only use UL-listed equipment. Do not modify wiring, exceed outlet amperage ratings, or bypass any safety device. Consult a licensed electrician when in doubt. This site does not provide installation advice.