# Virginia SB255: Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase I Utility.

Virginia SB255, Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase I Utility., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Scott A. Surovell (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-13 (Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0674)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB255-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB255
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Electric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase I Utility.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-12
- Last action: 2026-04-13, Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0674)
- Sponsor: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 7 (178 yes, 33 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 7

## Summary

Electric utilities; shared solar programs; Phase I Utility. Amends certain provisions related to the shared solar program established by the State Corporation Commission for Appalachian Power Company. The bill permits excess bill credits to be distributed to shared solar subscribers more than once annually. The bill also requires the utility in administering its shared solar program to require net crediting functionality for customer utility bills, as described in the bill. The bill also directs Appalachian Power to (i) release an additional 50 megawatts as part two of the shared solar program on July 1, 2026; (ii) release a further additional 50 megawatts as part three of the shared solar program by January 1, 2028; and (iii) petition the Commission to initiate a shared solar expansion proceeding to determine the capacity for part four of the shared solar program by May 1, 2029. See final enactments for bill effective date. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation. This bill is identical to HB 809.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Solar subscribers gain privacy and portability: benefit, medium. Customers in all rate classes can join shared solar without being moved to another class, and residential eligibility cannot require credit checks. Subscriptions can be transferred, and customers can keep them when moving within the same utility's service area. Utilities need written or electronic…
- Guaranteed solar savings for low-income customers: benefit, low. Shared solar must provide qualifying low-income customers net savings of at least 10% relative to their subscription fee. This savings requirement applies throughout the life of the subscription. Customers must meet Virginia's low-income definition in § 56-594.3. The dollar savings depend on the su…
- Solar subscribers get optional combined billing: benefit, low. Beginning July 1, 2027, subscriber organizations can choose combined utility billing, called net crediting. The utility lists the subscription fee and gives a net credit equal to the solar credit minus that fee. The subscription fee charged this way cannot exceed the credits received for that billi…
- More shared solar capacity for customers: benefit, low. The first phase allows 50 megawatts or 6% of the utility's peak load, whichever is less. Utilities must release another 50 megawatts on July 1, 2026, and another 50 megawatts by January 1, 2028. By May 1, 2029, the utility must request a Commission proceeding to set the fourth phase's capacity. The…
- Long-term solar credits for utility customers: mixed, medium. Virginia's Phase I shared solar subscribers earn bill credits based on their share of a facility's power output. Utilities must provide credits for at least 25 years after the facility begins commercial operation. Credits above the monthly bill carry forward, but credits cannot cover the required m…
- Solar bill rates balance credits and costs: mixed, medium. The State Corporation Commission sets annual solar credit rates separately for residential, commercial, and industrial customers, using each class's revenue divided by electricity sales. It sets a changeable minimum monthly bill covering utility infrastructure, service, and program costs, and must…
- Solar projects gain incentives with participation limits: mixed, low. Shared solar facilities must use solar panels, connect to an investor-owned utility's Virginia distribution system, serve at least three subscribers, and occupy one parcel. Each facility is capped at 5,000 kW; at least 40% of capacity must serve subscriptions of 25 kW or less. Subscribers must use…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Scott A. Surovell (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-27 | House | Passed House | pass | 86 | 10 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | House | Reported from Labor and Commerce | pass | 20 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate | pass | 23 | 16 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-11 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-09 | Senate | Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute | pass | 9 | 5 |   |

## Actions (30)

- 2026-04-13: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0674) (Governor)
- 2026-04-13: Approved by Governor-Chapter 674 (Effective - see bill) (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-10: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-09: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB255) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB255ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-02-27: Passed House (86-Y 10-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-27: Read third time (House)
- 2026-02-26: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-24: Reported from Labor and Commerce (20-Y 2-N) (House)
- 2026-02-18: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce (House)
- 2026-02-18: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-18: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-16: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB255) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Read third time and passed Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-11: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-10: Committee substitute printed 26107085D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (9-Y 5-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-26: Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB255) (Senate)
- 2026-01-12: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2026-01-12: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104619D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221664.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221663.PDF)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-04: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188820.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188819.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-10: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136042.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136041.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135784.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135783.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087003.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087002.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221664.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1221663.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188820.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1188819.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136042.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1136041.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135784.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1135783.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087003.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087002.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB255-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).