The Virginia General Assembly has officially passed legislation that would significantly expand the Commonwealth’s shared solar programs, creating new opportunities to reduce electric bills and increase reliability. These bills passed with bipartisan support and will now go before Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger for action.
The legislation includes SB 254 And HB807sponsored by Senator Scott Surovell and Representative Rip Sullivan, which applies to Dominion Energy’s service area, as well as SB 255 And HB809also sponsored by Senator Surovell and Del. Sullivan, tackling Appalachian Power Company (APCo) territory. Together, the bills build on the success of Virginia’s existing shared solar programs by expanding capacity, increasing certainty for customers and developers, and ensuring that these programs can play a meaningful role in addressing rising energy costs and growing electricity demand.
“Shared solar has already proven itself as one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to deliver real savings for Virginians,” said Senator Surovell. “These bills are about scaling what works: giving more families access to affordable energy, while strengthening reliability and preserving investments here in Virginia.”
Virginia’s community solar programs are currently limited to pilot scale levels and are fully subscribed, leaving customers and projects on waiting lists despite strong demand. In the Dominion area, the original 200 MW program has been fully allocated to 52 projects, serving tens of thousands of customers. In APCo territory, the 50 MW program was launched in 2025 and almost immediately oversubscribed.
The Dominion bills (SB 254/HB 807) require the release of an additional 525 MW of shared solar capacity by July 1, 2026, including a dedicated portion for low-income subscribers, while establishing a clear, predictable process for future program expansion overseen by the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Once some of that capacity is substantially completed, the SCC would initiate a process to evaluate additional allocations and program design.
The APCo bills (SB 255/HB 809) would improve customer participation by establishing consolidated billing or net crediting, which would bring APCo’s program in line with best practices already in place elsewhere in the state. The legislation also lays the groundwork for future capacity releases to meet strong interest in Southwest Virginia, where many counties have expressed interest in hosting shared solar projects.
“Affordability is top of mind for Virginians right now, and shared solar provides immediate, guaranteed savings on bills while benefiting all taxpayers,” said Del. Sullivan. “These bills provide certainty, transparency and a responsible path forward so that shared solar energy can help meet the Commonwealth’s growing energy needs.”
To date, shared solar saves participating customers 10% or more on their monthly electricity bills (approximately $175 per year), while also delivering system-wide benefits by reducing the need for expensive investments in generation, transmission and distribution. A third party analysis of Virginia’s expanded shared solar delivered $64 million in net benefits in the first two years alone and more than $2.4 billion in net benefits over 25 years, with savings accruing to all utility customers regardless of whether they subscribe directly.
“Virginia is facing unprecedented tax growth and rising energy costs, and shared solar is one of the most practical tools available to respond quickly and affordably,” said Charlie Coggeshall, Mid-Atlantic Director at the Coalition for Community Solar Access. “These bills recognize that shared solar is far from a pilot concept – it is a proven solution that can deliver lower bills, local jobs and grid benefits at scale.”
News item from CCSA
