What NEC edition does Virginia use for solar in 2026?

Virginia has adopted NEC 2023 through the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Virginia is an early NEC 2023 adopter. All solar PV installations in Virginia must comply with NEC 2023 Article 690 including PVHCS as an alternative rapid shutdown path, updated grounding electrode provisions, and expanded AFCI requirements.

How does Dominion Energy Virginia solar interconnection work?

Dominion Energy Virginia (DEV) is the primary electric utility serving eastern Virginia including Northern Virginia, Richmond, Virginia Beach, and the Peninsula. DEV uses a Standard Interconnection Agreement process managed by the Virginia SCC. Residential systems under 10 kW use a simplified 'small generator' fast-track process. Systems 10 kW–2 MW require a Level 1 study. DEV is one of the busier interconnection queues in the Southeast.

What is the Virginia Clean Economy Act and how does it affect solar?

The Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), enacted in 2020, mandates that Dominion Energy Virginia achieve 100% clean electricity by 2045. For solar, the VCEA includes mandatory solar installation targets and strong net metering protections. The VCEA explicitly protects net metering at the retail rate and establishes processes for expanding net metering to larger systems. The VCEA has driven significant solar investment in Virginia.

Does Virginia have net metering?

Yes. Virginia mandates net metering under the VCEA for all investor-owned utilities. Residential systems up to 25 kW and commercial systems up to 1 MW are eligible. Excess credits carry forward monthly at the full retail rate. Annual excess is paid at the wholesale market rate on the customer's November bill. The VCEA strengthened Virginia's net metering protections — utilities cannot reduce net metering credits below the retail rate for existing customers.

Are there Virginia state solar incentives?

Virginia's primary solar incentive is the VCEA-protected retail-rate net metering program. Virginia does not have a state income tax credit for solar. Virginia offers a property tax exemption for solar energy equipment — solar installations are classified as 'solar energy equipment' and localities can provide a property tax exemption (many do). The federal ITC (30% residential, up to 50% commercial) is the primary tax incentive. Dominion Energy Virginia offers the Rider GC (Green Choice) program for commercial solar financing.

Virginia Solar Compliance Guide 2026: NEC 2023, Dominion Energy Interconnection & VCEA Solar Mandate

Virginia’s solar market has accelerated significantly since the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act. The VCEA’s renewable targets, VCEA-protected net metering, and NEC 2023 adoption make Virginia one of the more progressive mid-Atlantic states for solar development.

Virginia Solar Snapshot

NEC Edition: 2023 (via Virginia USBC) | Primary Utility: Dominion Energy Virginia (eastern VA), Appalachian Power (western VA) | Net Metering: VCEA-protected (retail rate, November true-up at wholesale) | VCEA Target: 100% clean electricity by 2045 | Federal ITC: 30% residential / up to 50% commercial

NEC 2023 in Virginia

Virginia adopted NEC 2023 through the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). Virginia’s USBC applies statewide — local jurisdictions must enforce the USBC but cannot adopt a different edition.

Key NEC 2023 Changes for Virginia Solar

Section	NEC 2020	NEC 2023 (Virginia)
690.12 Rapid shutdown	30V/30-sec rule	PVHCS alternative added
Article 706 energy storage	Basic provisions	Updated battery system rules
AFCI scope	Some circuits	Expanded
Grounding electrode	Pre-existing language	Reorganized, clearer

Virginia’s building code uniformity means all jurisdictions are on the same edition — no patchwork of local adoptions as in some states.

Virginia Clean Economy Act — Solar Implications

The VCEA creates a statutory framework that directly supports solar development:

VCEA Provision	Solar Implication
100% clean electricity by 2045	Long-term utility demand for solar
Net metering at retail rate	Guaranteed economics for customer solar
Mandatory solar installations by DEV	Utility procurement programs
Expanded community solar	Access for renters and non-owners

Net metering protections under VCEA:

DEV cannot reduce net metering credits below the retail rate for existing systems during their useful life
System size limits have been raised vs. pre-VCEA rules
Annual true-up: excess credits on November bill at wholesale rate

Dominion Energy Virginia Interconnection

DEV is the dominant utility in Virginia, serving approximately 2.7 million customers:

System Size	Track	Timeline
Under 10 kW residential	Small Generator Fast Track	15–25 business days
10 kW–2 MW	Level 1 study	45–90 days
Over 2 MW	Level 2 study	6–18 months

Required documents:

Completed interconnection application
One-line electrical diagram (NEC 2023 compliant)
Equipment specifications (inverter, modules, disconnects)
Site plan

DEV Priority Review

Dominion offers a priority review option for residential applications ($75 fee) that targets 10-business-day approval for qualifying small generator systems. This is available for systems under 10 kW with complete applications.

Appalachian Power (APCo) Interconnection

Appalachian Power serves western Virginia (Roanoke, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg areas):

APCo is an AEP subsidiary
Separate interconnection application from DEV
Application submitted through the AEP/APCo portal
Same size-tier structure as other IOU interconnection processes

Virginia Net Metering

Parameter	Details
Eligible size	Residential: up to 25 kW; Commercial: up to 1 MW
Credit rate	Full retail rate
Monthly carryover	Yes — unlimited carryforward
Annual true-up	November — excess paid at wholesale
VCEA protection	Credits cannot be reduced below retail for existing customers

Virginia’s 25 kW residential cap is more generous than Ohio’s 10 kW or New Jersey’s older caps.

Virginia Climate — Conductor Derating

Northern Virginia/Richmond conductor derating:

City	Max Air Temp	Effective Rooftop Temp	THWN-2 Factor
Northern VA (DC area)	36°C	58°C	0.71
Richmond	36°C	58°C	0.71
Virginia Beach	34°C	56°C	0.76
Roanoke	35°C	57°C	0.76

Cold-Climate NEC 690.7 Check

City	ASHRAE T_min	Factor (β = -0.30%/°C)
Northern VA	-13°C	1.114
Richmond	-13°C	1.114
Roanoke	-13°C	1.114

For a 45.0V Voc module in Northern VA:

Corrected Voc = 45.0 × 1.114 = 50.1V
Max modules (600V) = 600 ÷ 50.1 = 11.97 → 11 modules

Northern Virginia AHJ Requirements

Northern Virginia is served by multiple separate jurisdictions:

Jurisdiction	Building Department	Notes
Fairfax County	DPWES Land Development Services	High solar permit volume; experienced reviewers
Arlington County	DCPHD Permits Office	SolarAPP+ participating
Alexandria (City)	City of Alexandria DCPD	SolarAPP+ participating
Loudoun County	DPSS Building & Development	Active solar market

All Northern Virginia jurisdictions use the Virginia USBC (NEC 2023). Permit turnaround in NOVA is typically faster than many US markets due to high application volume and experienced review staff.

SolarAPP+ in Northern Virginia

Multiple Northern Virginia jurisdictions participate in SolarAPP+. For qualifying residential systems under 15 kW in Arlington, Alexandria, and parts of Fairfax County, SolarAPP+ can reduce permit turnaround to same-day or next-day approval. Confirm current SolarAPP+ participation status with the specific AHJ before submitting — participation changes over time.

Virginia Property Tax Exemption

Virginia Code § 58.1-3661 classifies solar energy equipment as a separate class of property that localities may exempt from property tax:

Most Virginia localities with significant solar markets (Fairfax County, Arlington, Virginia Beach) have enacted the exemption
Exemption applies to the solar equipment itself
Confirm whether the specific locality has enacted the exemption — it varies by county/city

NEC 2023 Virginia Permit Packages

SurgePV generates Virginia USBC (NEC 2023)-compliant permit packages — formatted for Dominion Energy interconnection, Northern Virginia AHJ requirements, and VCEA net metering documentation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What NEC edition does Virginia use?

NEC 2023 — adopted through the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC), which applies statewide to all jurisdictions uniformly.

What is the Virginia Clean Economy Act?

The VCEA (2020) mandates 100% clean electricity for Virginia by 2045 and includes strong net metering protections: retail-rate credits for customer solar, expanded system size limits, and prohibition on reducing credits for existing customers during their system’s useful life.

How does Dominion Energy net metering work in Virginia?

Retail-rate credits for systems up to 25 kW residential / 1 MW commercial. Credits carry forward monthly. November annual true-up pays unused credits at the wholesale rate. VCEA prohibits DEV from reducing these terms for existing customers.