Solar Power Laws In Virginia

Virginia passed legislation way back in 1977 authorizing municipalities to exempt residential solar power systems from taxation i e.

Solar power laws in virginia.

The new law requires virginia s largest energy companies to construct or acquire more than 3 100 megawatts of energy storage capacity. But virginia s law does not require them to credit solar generators for 100 of that value ignoring the full benefits that solar provides to the grid. Solar power in virginia on rooftops is estimated to be capable of providing 32 4 of electricity used in virginia using 28 500 mw of solar panels. The tax code is not entirely devoid of love for solar power.

The small renewable energy projects solar permit by rule pbr regulation became effective on july 18 2012. The act establishes that 16 100 megawatts of solar and onshore wind is in the public interest the law expands net metering making it easier for rooftop solar to advance across virginia. Installing solar panels provides a 6 8 return on investment in virginia and a 5 kw array would return a profit of 16 041 over its 25 year life. In spite of the public benefits of solar power virginia utilities have opposed private investments in solar and even imposed new barriers.

The pbr requirements for a complete application to construct and operate are explicitly identified under the regulation rather than being developed on a case by case basis and applies to solar energy projects 150 megawatts or less.