Short answer: net metering still works much the same in Virginia in 2026. The solar power you send to the grid earns a credit at the full retail rate, and those credits offset the power you use over a 12-month period. What changed for new customers is the rate paid for any extra power left over at the end of that year.
How net metering works
Your panels produce the most power in the middle of the day, often more than your home is using. That extra power flows back to the grid through your meter. Your utility credits you for it, and you use those credits when your panels aren’t producing, like at night or on cloudy days.
In Virginia, credits are tracked over a 12-month netting period. Within that year, a kilowatt-hour you send to the grid offsets a kilowatt-hour you use, at the full retail rate. This is why we size systems to cover your yearly usage rather than to produce as much as possible.
Dominion Energy customers
In an order dated April 30, 2026, the State Corporation Commission kept the core of net metering for Dominion customers. It rejected Dominion’s proposal to cut the credit for solar exports and kept the 12-month netting period (pv magazine).
For customers who connect under the new rules, two things changed:
- Extra power left over at the end of the 12-month period is paid at Dominion’s avoided-cost rate plus one cent per kilowatt-hour, instead of the retail rate.
- Dominion can charge new net metering customers an administrative fee of $1 a month.
Customers already on net metering before the order can stay on their existing terms.
Appalachian Power customers
In an order issued in late August 2025, the Commission also kept retail-rate crediting and the 12-month netting period for Appalachian Power customers, and rejected the utility’s request to switch to hourly netting (Cardinal News).
- For new customers, extra power left over at the end of the 12-month period is paid at about 5.7 cents per kilowatt-hour, roughly a third of the retail rate.
- Leftover credits no longer carry into the next year.
- Customers who were already connected keep the previous rules for 25 years.
What this means for your savings
Because the power you use yourself is still credited at full retail value, a system sized to your actual usage is worth about the same as before. A system that produces far more than you use is worth less, because the extra is paid at a lower rate. That is one more reason we design every system around your past 12 months of electric bills.
Virginia law also caps net metering at 6% of each utility’s peak load.
Common questions
Does a battery change my net metering?
Adding a battery means a new interconnection application with your utility. We prepare it and explain what changes for your account before you sign anything.
Does the new Dominion rule affect me if I already have solar?
No. Customers who were already on net metering stay on their existing terms.
I’m with an electric co-op. Does this apply to me?
Co-ops have their own net metering rules. Tell us your co-op and we’ll walk you through them.
Want to see what solar would save with your utility? Take the Go Solar Quiz or read about our solar installation process.
This guide summarizes public reporting on the Commission’s orders as of November 2026. Utility tariffs set the exact terms, and they can change.
