Net Metering In Virginia

If you’re considering solar panels for your Virginia home, net metering is just one of many benefits you’ll learn about as part of the information-gathering process before deciding whether to buy. If you’re interested in learning more about the potential benefits net metering could add to your life—and wallet—after installing solar panels to your home, just keep reading!

What Is Net Metering?

Before we show you how net metering could help you, let’s define exactly what net metering is. During the day, when your solar panels gather sunlight, you may find yourself with more electricity than your home needs to function. There are several options for what you can do with this excess electricity. 

While you may choose to store the excess electricity for later use overnight or during power outages with a battery backup system, Virginia residents have another option. You may be able to send excess electricity you otherwise wouldn’t use back to the grid for potential credits toward your upcoming electric bills. This process is known as net metering. 

Virginia’s Net Metering Programs 

Virginia has a net metering policy in place, allowing residential solar panel systems of up to 25kW capacity to send their excess electricity back to the grid. Net metering is available on a first-come, first-serve basis until the customer-specific generators provided by utility companies reach 6% of the utility provider’s statewide peak-load forecast for the year. What is the peak-load forecast? Peak-load forecasting prevents energy waste while also planning for the use of renewable energy on an annual basis. This means the energy you could send back will be put to good use!

Virginians looking into participating in net metering need to receive approval to connect to their utility provider prior to installing their solar panels. In return, utility companies must send their approval for net metering capabilities within 30 days of panel installation. Pink Energy’s team works with your utility company to complete an interconnections application on your behalf. Our team of experts is familiar with these steps and can assist you throughout the process. We’re always here for questions on approval processes!

Your individual city may have a specific net metering policy in place as well. Danville, VA has policies regarding notification of upcoming net metering from the homeowner to their utility provider, for instance, so it’s worth checking with your local government or utility company to be sure you’re participating as intended! 

Own Your Power With Us

Solar panels come with many benefits, with potential electric bill savings⁴ and helping make a greener planet among them. Net metering presents a great way to make use of excess electricity generated by your solar panel system and potentially earn back a little on your electric bills at little to no additional cost to you. Our team at Pink Energy is familiar with the ins and outs of this process and can help you get started on owning your power with a free quote. Contact us today to learn how solar energy could help your household!