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 loads running at the time (refrigerator, HVAC, lights, etc.) consume that energy. If there is extra energy after those loads consume what they need, that energy is fed back into the electrical grid.

We provide 1:1 retail 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.

View a sample solar electric bill (PDF). For residential members, 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 SVEC distribution system, plus any fixed monthly charges provided by the applicable rate schedule. NET value billing automatically takes into account any solar SVEC has received from your solar array during the billing cycle.

You will carry a kWh credit balance with SVEC for the excess amount. Residential members 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. Non-residential members could see their kWh charges reduced to zero but should still expect to see demand and kvar charges on their bills, as applicable.

If you have a month where you use more energy from the SVEC distribution system than you produce with your solar array, 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-10A (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-10A, 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)

Within the application process, there is a one time $50 net meter inspection fee that SVEC charges to inspect the net metering facility after project completion. This is typically paid by the solar installer on your behalf but please verify with your contractor.

Monthly, at a minimum, you can always expect to pay our basic consumer charge (plus any taxes and fees) if all kWh consumption was produced by the solar array (for residential members). General service members should still expect to see demand and kvar charges, as applicable, in addition to the basic consumer charge.

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-10A 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. RECs are calculated using the member’s behind-the-meter net metering equipment and are not able to be calculated using the SVEC meter. RECs are typically calculated and sold through a third party renewable energy credit aggregator and are not part of the kWh credit relationship between SVEC and the member.

For more information about RECs, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website.

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