Is plug-in solar legal in Virginia?
Legal from Jan 1, 2027 Not yet, but soon. Virginia signed HB 395 and SB 250 on Apr 22, 2026; it takes effect Jan 1, 2027.
| Law | HB 395 and SB 250 |
|---|---|
| Signed | Apr 22, 2026 |
| Takes effect | Jan 1, 2027 |
| Size limit | 1,200 W per customer or unit |
| Safety certification | Must meet the National Electrical Code and be listed by a recognized lab; must stop exporting in an outage |
| Telling your utility | Tell your utility before you install; it has 15 days to respond |
| Renters and HOAs | Landlords with more than four units can’t ban exterior devices; HOA rules still apply |
Until the start date, the usual utility rules apply. Kits bought now should already meet the certification rule above, so you can plug in on day one.
What a kit would save in Virginia
| Kit size | Solar per year | Saved per year |
|---|---|---|
| 400 W | 411 kWh | $62 |
| 800 W | 822 kWh | $123 |
| 1,200 W | 1,233 kWh | $185 |
Panels on a south-facing balcony railing, Virginia’s average sunshine (NREL PVWatts, state average), today’s price of 17.6¢/kWh, and 85% of the output used at home. Run it for your ZIP code.
See every state’s plug-in solar status, or electricity prices and other rules in Virginia.