Appalachian Power Company’s net metering proposal in Virginia
- Energy democracy & policy
Solar at risk in Virginia: The utility company APCo is threatening to slash net metering
Calling all solar advocates in Virginia – We need your support!
Appalachian Power Company (APCo) is threatening the rights of current and future solar owners with its proposal to cut net metering, a policy that makes going solar more affordable.
Solar United Neighbors (SUN) is actively working with other intervening parties to fight this proposal at the State Corporation Commission (SCC), but we need your help. Below, learn what net metering is, how APCo’s proposal would hurt solar owners, and what you can do to protect net metering for all Virginians.
What is net metering?
Imagine you are a solar owner (you might already be!) and in a sunny month your system produces more energy than your home consumes. In a fair system, you should end up with a negative bill credit, and that credit should carry over to next month’s bill like rollover minutes on an old cell phone plan.
That’s the idea behind net metering. Net metering is the policy that enables you to be compensated for extra solar electricity production, allowing you to offset your electric bill. This policy helps solar owners pay off their system more quickly, making solar more financially accessible.
Virginia’s current policy credits solar owners with the full retail rate of the energy produced, but APCo is trying to get away with crediting only about a quarter of what the energy is worth.
The consequences of APCo’s proposal.
In 2020, the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA) created a 100% clean energy standard for utilities, which included a provision for the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to conduct net metering proceedings throughout 2024 and 2025.
APCo’s net metering proceeding began in September 2024 with APCo’s proposal of only crediting solar energy sent to the grid at 4.9 cents (the current full retail rate credit is around 16.4 cents).
This drastic cut to credit is not only unfair to current solar owners, but it decreases access to those interested in going solar in the future. It also puts undue strain on solar businesses, who rely on fair solar policies to be able to provide well-paying jobs and support the local economy.
And this policy change isn’t just relevant to Virginians under APCo’s jurisdiction. The outcome in the APCo case will help set the stage for the Dominion Energy net metering case, which begins in May. This is a crucial case for determining fair solar credit in all of Virginia.
Take action to protect net metering
Submitting a personalized public comment is the most impactful thing you can do to prevent APCo’s proposal from passing. If enough people use their voice, it can lead to dropping this proposal.
You can easily submit a comment now, in minutes, by using SUN’s online action form. Include your solar story and why fair credit for solar is important to you.
<Submit your comments to protect net metering>
There will be another hearing on May 20th, so we don’t have a lot of time! Whether or not you live in the Appalachian region, you can submit a comment to help defend net metering for your fellow Virginians.
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