Is plug-in solar legal in Virginia?

What the Virginia law says

• Size. Up to 1,200 W of maximum power output (per dwelling unit).
• Safety listing. Certification by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, plus the most recent National Electrical Code. The law does not name UL 3700.
• Telling the utility. Yes. Before installing, customers send the utility a simple form that the State Corporation Commission publishes. The utility has 15 days to respond, and if it does not, the notice counts as given. The utility cannot require approval or charge a fee.

Chapter 1052 (the companion SB 250 is Chapter 998). A kit with up to 391 W of output to the outlet is exempt from listing rules that would need changes to the building, wiring or panel. A locality cannot ban a qualifying device, but private covenants, condo and homeowner association documents still apply. If a property has more than one device, the utility may fit a locking disconnect switch. A work group reports on safety standards by 15 Nov 2026.

What has started and what has not

The bill is signed, which means the direction is settled. What is still open is timing and detail: the main provisions start on 01 Jan 2027. Until then there is no settled legal route here, so check this page again before you buy a kit. We will change the status once it is running.

Renters, condos and apartments

A landlord who owns more than four rental units cannot ban a tenant from putting a qualifying device on the outside of the home, but can set reasonable limits on size, place and manner. The tenant gives notice at least 7 days before installing and pays for any damage. A tenant whose unit is billed by a ratio utility billing system, or whose device would need changes to the building, wiring or panel, needs the landlord's written approval.

What it might save you

We have not put a Virginia savings figure on this page yet, because we have not finished checking the state electricity price and a solar output figure for Richmond. Our calculator is the place to try your own numbers once the US version is up. The method is on the methodology page.

Nearby states we have covered

Maryland. See the full state tracker to compare rules.

How Virginia compares

Other states with a signed law that has not fully started: Colorado, Connecticut and New Hampshire. For a different picture, see Utah. While you wait for the start date, it helps to know what you would be buying. How plug-in solar works explains the parts, and it is worth reading before you shop.