VirginiaHB8072026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase II Utility.

Sponsored By: Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31 (Republican)

Became Law

Summary

Electric utilities; shared solar programs; Phase II Utility. Amends certain provisions related to the shared solar program established by the State Corporation Commission for Dominion Energy Virginia. Under the bill, Dominion Energy Virginia is authorized to release an additional 525 megawatts of capacity as part two of such program upon the earlier of (i) a determination that at least 90 percent of the aggregate program capacity has been subscribed and project construction is substantially complete or (ii) July 1, 2026. The bill directs Dominion Energy Virginia to petition the Commission to initiate a proceeding to determine the capacity for part three of such program on or before part two of such program is substantially complete for 268 megawatts of capacity. The bill directs the Commission to evaluate the costs and benefits of the shared solar program under such proceeding and to consider the results of such proceeding in determining any future allocations of shared solar capacity and changes in program design. The bill directs the Commission to update its regulations on shared solar programs to comply with the provisions of the bill by December 31, 2026, and to require each participating utility to file any tariffs, agreements, or forms necessary for implementation of such programs by March 1, 2027. This bill is identical to SB 254.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

How your shared solar credits work

The law creates a shared solar program for Phase II utility customers. You can subscribe and get a bill credit equal to your share of kWh times your customer class rate, which the Commission sets each year. Any credit beyond your bill after the minimum bill carries to next month. Credits are applied within two billing cycles, with monthly data sharing and at least annual allocation of any extra credits. Your bill credits last at least 25 years from the project’s commercial operation date. After the rules are final, utilities have 180 days to start crediting for each interconnected facility.

Net crediting on bills and fee cap

Under net crediting, your utility can place the shared solar subscription on your bill and give you one net credit. The extra net‑crediting fee cannot be more than 1% of the bill credit, and total fees cannot be more than the bill credit. Net crediting is optional for project owners. The law also lets utilities recover any gap between credits paid and the cost of the injected energy in purchased‑power rates, which can affect overall rates.

Shared solar protections and low-income relief

The Commission sets a minimum bill to cover grid and program costs. Low‑income households (income at or below 80% of local median) do not pay the minimum bill. Rules ban credit checks to join for residential customers, require clear disclosures, and let subscriptions move with you. Low‑income customers cannot be charged early termination fees or have subscription info sent to credit bureaus. Projects can show low‑income participation by capacity or by savings, and the state can add tools to boost enrollment.

Program size, renewable credits, and timeline

Part one provides 200 MW of shared solar. Part two adds 525 MW when part one is 90% subscribed and mostly built, or by July 1, 2026; 450 MW is for projects serving no more than 51% low‑income customers and 75 MW is for projects that may serve more than 51% low‑income customers. After 268 MW of part two is substantially complete, the utility must ask the Commission to set part three. For the first 200 MW registered, project owners keep the renewable energy credits; later projects must send RECs to the utility for retirement. Projects on rooftops, brownfields, landfills, or dual‑use farms can get incentives. The Commission must set rules by March 1, 2025 and update them by December 31, 2026; utilities must file needed tariffs by December 1, 2025 and again by March 1, 2027. When setting part three, the Commission studies costs and benefits, including grid, renewable goals, economic effects, and environmental and fuel‑risk benefits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jen Kiggans - to resign 12/31

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 385 • No: 32

House vote 3/2/2026

Senate substitute agreed to by House

Yes: 90 • No: 8

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Passed Senate with substitute

Yes: 22 • No: 18

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/25/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/23/2026

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute

Yes: 10 • No: 5

House vote 2/4/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 1

House vote 2/4/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote 1/29/2026

Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 1/27/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0670)

    4/13/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 670 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/13/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB807)

    3/12/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB807ER)

    3/6/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/6/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/6/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/6/2026House
  10. Senate substitute agreed to by House (90-Y 8-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026House
  11. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB807)

    2/26/2026House
  12. Passed Senate with substitute (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

    2/26/2026Senate
  13. Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

    2/26/2026Senate
  14. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

    2/26/2026Senate
  15. Read third time

    2/26/2026Senate
  16. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/25/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/25/2026Senate
  18. Rules suspended

    2/25/2026Senate
  19. Committee substitute printed 26108399D-S1

    2/24/2026Senate
  20. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (10-Y 5-N)

    2/23/2026Senate
  21. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

    2/5/2026Senate
  22. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/5/2026Senate
  23. Passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026House
  24. Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House

    2/4/2026House
  25. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 1-N 0-A)

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

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