Solar Panels Virginia Law

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.

Solar panels virginia law.

Certified solar energy equipment facilities or devices means any property including real or personal property equipment facilities or devices excluding any portion of such property that is exempt under 58 1 3660 certified by the local certifying authority to be designed and used primarily for the purpose of collecting generating transferring or storing thermal or electric energy. However the law respects the right of hoas to place reasonable restrictions on the size place and manner of placement of solar facilities on members property. Virginia governor ralph northam has signed hb 414 sb 504. Deq developed a permit by rule to facilitate the review of small solar projects in virginia.

Since 2014 virginia law has prohibited hoas from banning solar panels unless the ban appears in the association s recorded declaration. The owner shall provide documentation prepared by an independent solar panel design specialist who is certified by the north american board of certified energy practitioners and is licensed in virginia that is satisfactory to the community association to show that the restriction is not reasonable according to the criteria established in this subsection. The small renewable energy projects solar permit by rule pbr regulation became effective on july 18 2012. Homeowners associations can only stop you from installing solar if the hoa s recorded declaration explicitly prohibits solar installations.

A recorded declaration is a legal document that lays out the rules of the hoa at its founding. However the law respects the right of hoas to place reasonable restrictions on the size place and manner of placement of solar facilities on members property. But dominion and appalachian power have both tried various measures to block these independent private contracts. All surplus generation is applied as a credit to your next bill at the utility s avoided cost or other previously agreed upon rate.

The legislation protects the rights of homeowners who want to go solar but live in hoa communities said aaron sutch program director for solar united neighbors. Virginia lawprotects your ability to go solar. The new law requires virginia s largest energy companies to construct or acquire more than 3 100 megawatts of energy storage capacity. Since 2014 virginia law has prohibited hoas from banning solar panels unless the ban appears in the association s recorded declaration.

The bill protects homeowners who want to install solar from burdensome homeowners association hoa restrictions.