Dominion Energy’s net metering proposal in Virginia
- Energy democracy & policy
Calling all solar advocates in Virginia – We need your support!
Net metering, also known as fair crediting to solar, allows solar owners to get a credit on their electric bill for the excess energy they produce – and Virginia utilities are coming for it.
Solar supporters joined together in August, and the State Corporation Commission (SCC) blocked Appalachian Power Company (APCo)’s harmful proposal to cut net metering. Now, we need your help to protect Virginians in Dominion Energy territory.
Below, learn about your right to net metering, what could happen if Dominion Energy’s proposal to cut net metering passes, and what solar supporters like you can do to stop it.
Submit a comment to protect net metering in VA.
The value of net metering
Imagine it’s a sunny afternoon and your solar panels are producing more energy than your home needs. The extra energy flows into the grid where it can be used by your neighbors. In return, your utility rewards you with credit on your electric bill that is equal to the current electricity market rate.
That’s net metering, a policy that rewards solar owners for sharing excess energy production with their neighbors.
Right now, Dominion territory offers a full retail rate (1:1 credit) of net metering over a 12-month netting period.
The current net metering policy provides a path to financial freedom amidst utility rate hikes and ongoing inflation. It helps solar owners maintain consistent bills throughout the year. Net metering savings also help more people access solar because it’s easier to make up the initial investment.
But net metering doesn’t just benefit solar owners. More solar energy flowing to the grid reduces energy costs for everyone. It reduces the need for utilities to build out expensive energy infrastructure, like peaker plants, gas pipelines, or transmission lines.
Dominion Energy’s proposal to cut net metering
Dominion wants to significantly reduce fair crediting to solar. Here’s the potentially devastating proposal:
- Cut solar credits by 32%. Dominion wants to reduce the net metering credit from $0.14/kWh to $0.095/kW, undervaluing solar and making it harder for solar owners to recoup their investment.
- Shorten the crediting period from 12 months to just 30 minutes. This change doesn’t give customers adequate time to get credit for producing more energy than they consume.
Brandon Praileau, Virginia Program Director at Solar United Neighbors, shares that this proposal, if passed, “would rob future solar owners of an opportunity to save on their energy cost,” as well as rob all Virginians of a way to hedge against rising energy costs.
Protect net metering in Virginia: Submit your comment
Our recent win against APCo proves that when we work together as a community, our voices get heard.
Personalized public comments from solar supporters can make all the difference in dropping Dominion Energy’s proposal.
Submit your comment now, in minutes, using SUN’s online action form. Include your solar story and why fair credit to solar is important to you. Then, share this post with the solar supporters in your life. You don’t have to be a solar owner to submit a comment, and the more comments we have the better. You can also register to deliver live telephonic comments during the SCC’s hearing on January 20 by sharing your name and phone number on this SCC form, or by calling 804-371-9141. The deadline to register is January 13.
Take action now to protect net metering.
Watch the full explainer video here:
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