Bill
Bill > SB250
summary
Introduced
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
In Committee
02/18/2026
02/18/2026
Crossed Over
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices; local regulation; installation by tenants; consumer protection. Prevents a locality from prohibiting the use of a small portable solar generation device, as defined in the bill, on a residential structure, provided that certain requirements are met. Under the bill, a small portable solar generation device must include a device or feature that prevents the device from affecting the electrical system of a building during a power outage. The bill includes provisions related to the installation of small portable solar generation devices by tenants and prevents landlords from prohibiting such installation in certain circumstances. Under the bill, small portable solar generation devices are excluded from the provisions of net metering programs applicable to eligible agricultural customer-generators, eligible customer-generators, or small agricultural generating facilities. The bill also permits any electric utility customer to own and operate a small portable solar generation device, provided that certain requirements are met. The bill prohibits an investor-owned utility, municipal utility, or electric cooperative from imposing interconnection requirements, charging any fee related to the device, or requiring that the customer obtain the utility's approval before installing or using the device. Under the bill, no electric utility, municipal utility, electric cooperative shall be liable for damage or injury caused by a small portable solar generation device. The bill also provides that small portable solar generation devices are considered goods for the purposes of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. Finally, the bill requires the State Corporation Commission to develop and publish a notification form by September 1, 2026 for electric service customers who install a small portable solar generation device.
AI Summary
This bill allows any electric utility customer to own and operate a "small portable solar generation device," defined as a nationally certified, plug-in solar device with a maximum power output of 1,200 watts that is not connected to the electric grid and is primarily intended to reduce a customer's electricity usage. It prohibits investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and electric cooperatives from imposing interconnection requirements, charging fees, or demanding prior approval for these devices, and shields them from liability for any damage or injury caused by them. Additionally, the bill restricts local governments from prohibiting the use of these devices on residential structures if certain requirements are met, and prevents landlords owning more than four rental units from prohibiting tenants from installing them on their premises, though landlords can set reasonable restrictions on size, placement, and manner of installation. This legislation is a recommendation from the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #3 (on 02/24/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB250 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1169895.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB250/text/SB250S2 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1143015.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB250/text/SB250S1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB250/text/SB250SC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB250) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091301.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB250/text/SB250 |
Loading...