Net Metering FAQ

Net metering is one way to measure and value the output of member-owned generation. The intent of a net metering arrangement is to allow the member to meet all, or part, of their electricity requirements by using renewable fuel generation on the member’s premises.

Solar thermal electric, photovoltaics, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, geothermal electric, municipal solid waste, small hydroelectric, tidal energy, and wave energy.

As your solar array produces electricity, that energy feeds into your main electrical panel. Any home loads running at the time (refrigerator, HVAC, lights, etc.) consume that energy. If there is extra energy after those home loads consume what they need, that energy is fed back into the electrical grid.

We provide kilowatt-hour (kWh) credits on your account for that energy. We are not able to display that information on members' bills at this time. Current net metered members can retrieve their kWh credit balance by calling (800) 234-7832. One of our member service representatives can provide information for your account.

You can view a sample solar electric bill (PDF). This includes a breakdown and explanation of charges appearing on your monthly statement.

Then, you pay only for the net energy that you have received from the system, plus any fixed monthly charges provided by the applicable rate schedule.

You will carry a kWh credit balance with SVEC for the excess amount. You could expect a monthly bill with solar to be as little as our basic consumer charge (plus taxes and fees) if all kWh consumption was produced by the solar array.

If you have a month where you use more than you produce, these credits are applied to your account before you are charged for any electricity delivered to you. These kWh credits do not expire and there is no cap on accrual.

SVEC does not offer any rebates for members installing solar but does offer the net metering program as explained in other portions of this document. For State and Federal rebate information, you can visit the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's page on Programs and Financial Incentives.

They are: Schedule NEM-10 (PDF). The Net Energy Metering Rider will be added to your current rate designation when your net metering installation receives permission to interconnect to SVEC’s distribution system. A full list of our rates, including Schedule NEM-10, can be found on our Rates page.

All net-metering inquiries and applications should be emailed to us: email SVEC Net Metering.

A step-by-step guide is available on our Solar/Net Metering page, and the full interconnection process is available here: Distributed Resource Integration Requirements (PDF)

There is a $50 net meter inspection fee that SVEC charges to inspect the system and change the meter. This is typically paid by your solar installer on your behalf. A monthly bill with solar can be as little as our basic consumer charge (plus taxes and fees) if all kWh consumption was produced by the solar array. This is our base charge to be connected to the SVEC distribution system. There are no standby fees assessed by SVEC.

Yes. There is a maximum capacity limit of 1 MW for non-residential systems, and a 20 kW limit for residential systems, or 100% of your expected annual load, whichever is less.

Find information on how to read your new AMI meter here.

Our Landis + Gyr Focus AXR net meters contain three to four rolling values, depending on how the meter is programmed.

REC = Received. This is electricity being put back on the grid from the solar array, after any home load consumption. This value only goes up.

DEL = Delivered. This is electricity SVEC has delivered to the member. This value only goes up.

NET = Net Value, Delivered – Received. This value can go up or down depending on how much electricity the solar array has produced.

DMX = Demand. This value may soon apply to residential accounts.

Yes! Most installers will take the square footage of your home and any major energy users and calculate an expected load based on these factors. The installer will provide this information to us, along with your application, so we can verify the system sizing.

We do not. During the 2020 General Assembly, new rules went into place for Investor Owned Utilities (IOUs) only. Electric Cooperatives operate under our own set of net metering rules which still includes the 100% of annual consumption capacity. See the NEM-10 Tariff (PDF) for additional information.

Also known as green certificates, green tags, or tradable renewable certificates, they represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects and are sold separately from commodity electricity.  For more information, visit Energy.gov.

For additional information on rules and regulations, please view the State Corporation Commission’s Order Adopting Regulations (PDF).

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency

• Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) website
• A source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency

United States Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Programs

• United State Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Program website
• Gives more information about cost-effective solar technologies that have the greatest potential to benefit the nation and the world

United States Department of Energy, Wind Powering America

• United States Department of Energy, Wind Powering America website
• Gives information about wind power, and a wind resource map for Virginia