Net Metering FAQ

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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)

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.

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.