{
  "schema_version": "1.0",
  "last_updated": "2026-07-02",
  "source": "https://pluginsolarhub.org/state-legality/",
  "disclaimer": "Informational, not legal advice. Plug-in solar law evolves fast; verify with your utility and state authority.",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "attribution": "PlugInSolarHub (pluginsolarhub.org)"
  },
  "state": "Virginia",
  "slug": "virginia",
  "status": "Signed — takes effect 1 Jan 2027",
  "status_badge_verbatim": "Signed — takes effect 1 Jan 2027",
  "avg_rate_cents": 14,
  "main_utilities": [
    "Dominion Energy"
  ],
  "page_url": "https://pluginsolarhub.org/state-legality/virginia/",
  "last_reviewed": "2026-08-01",
  "legislation": {
    "bill": "HB 395 / SB 250",
    "status": "signed",
    "date": "2026-04-22",
    "effective": "2026-07-01",
    "max_watts": 1200,
    "cert_required": "UL or equivalent",
    "signed_by": "Gov. Abigail Spanberger",
    "source_url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title56/chapter23/section56-596.8/",
    "notes": "Cap is 1,200 W of power output per customer, or per residential building unit in multi-family housing (56-596.8(A)). Second tier at 391 W of output to the receptacle outlet. From 1 January 2027 the customer MUST notify the utility on a State Corporation Commission form before installing; the utility has 15 days to review. 15.2-2288.7(F) expressly preserves recorded covenants, condominium instruments and POA declarations - Virginia does NOT override HOAs. No provision applies to a rental unit on a ratio utility billing system.",
    "source_url_type": "primary - Code of Virginia as enacted by 2026 cc. 998, 1052",
    "effective_note": "The act's own effective date is 1 July 2026, but NO plug-in provision operates until 1 January 2027 - all three sections it creates carry '(Effective January 1, 2027)' in the Code. Read effective_delayed before using effective.",
    "effective_delayed": [
      {
        "date": "2027-01-01",
        "provision": "56-596.8",
        "summary": "Exemption from interconnection requirements, utility approval and fees; prior notification to the utility on an SCC form is required."
      },
      {
        "date": "2027-01-01",
        "provision": "55.1-1212.1",
        "summary": "A landlord owning more than four rental units may not prohibit a tenant from installing a device on the exterior of the tenant's premises, subject to reasonable restrictions and seven days' notice."
      },
      {
        "date": "2027-01-01",
        "provision": "15.2-2288.7",
        "summary": "A locality may not prohibit the use of a device on a residential structure. Subsection (F) expressly preserves private covenants and POA declarations."
      }
    ],
    "watt_tiers": [
      {
        "max_watts": 1200,
        "basis": "power output",
        "provision": "56-596.8(A)(i)",
        "effect": "Exempt from interconnection requirements and net energy metering provisions; no utility approval and no fee, but prior notification is required."
      },
      {
        "max_watts": 391,
        "basis": "power output to the receptacle outlet",
        "provision": "56-596.8(A)",
        "effect": "Additionally exempt from product listing provisions that would require alterations to the building's premises, wiring or electrical panels."
      }
    ],
    "verified_against_primary": {
      "date": "2026-08-01",
      "confirmed": [
        "1,200 W of power output per customer",
        "391 W second tier, same figure as Colorado",
        "all three sections marked '(Effective January 1, 2027)' in the Code"
      ],
      "corrected": [
        "status said 'Legal - signed (eff. Jul 1, 2026)' and the page said the law was in force; no plug-in provision operates until 1 January 2027",
        "cap was described as panel capacity; the statute measures power output",
        "'no interconnection paperwork' was wrong - notification on an SCC form is mandatory from 1 January 2027",
        "391 W tier was absent",
        "source was a pv-magazine article"
      ]
    },
    "certification_requirement": {
      "required": true,
      "provision": "Va. Code §56-596.8(A)(v)",
      "quote": "is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, as described in 29 C.F.R. § 1910.7, or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory",
      "standard_named": null,
      "effective": "2027-01-01",
      "source_url": "https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title56/chapter23/section56-596.8/",
      "verified": "2026-08-02",
      "note": "Verbatim from the primary text. 'Nationally recognized testing laboratory' is the term used in 29 C.F.R. 1910.7; UL, CSA and Intertek/ETL are all NRTLs. A CE mark is a European self-declaration and is not an NRTL listing."
    }
  },
  "source_file": "/data/plug-in-solar-laws.json"
}