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Bill > HB1133


VA HB1133

VA HB1133
Virginia Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems Program; established.


summary

Introduced
01/14/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Department of Energy; Virginia Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems Program and tax credit; solar energy and battery energy storage projects. Establishes the Virginia Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems Program, to be administered by the Department of Energy for the purpose of (i) coordinating and supporting the development of solar energy and short duration battery energy storage industries and projects by other public or private entities; (ii) evaluating and approving solar energy and short duration battery energy storage projects as qualified projects for the purposes of the tax credit established by the bill; and (iii) determining which items and services are considered eligible project costs for a given qualified project, as defined in the bill. The bill establishes requirements for what can be considered a qualified solar energy and battery energy storage project based on whether the use of such project is for a residential, commercial and industrial, or utility-scale project. The bill establishes a tax credit for the installation of such residential, commercial and industrial, or utility-scale solar energy and energy storage projects for taxable years beginning on and after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2032. Finally, the bill requires the Department to monitor allocation of the tax credit and publish quarterly transparency reports summarizing such information and to establish and maintain a public dashboard displaying certain information on the solar energy and short duration battery energy storage installations by January 1, 2027. The bill has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2027.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the Virginia Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems Program, administered by the Department of Energy, to support the growth of solar energy and short-duration battery energy storage industries and projects. The program will evaluate and approve projects as "qualified projects" for a new tax credit, and determine eligible project costs. A "short duration battery energy storage project" is defined as equipment capable of storing energy for less than 10 hours. The bill outlines requirements for "qualified residential," "qualified commercial and industrial," and "qualified utility-scale" projects, with specific criteria related to construction start dates, operational status, and energy storage duration, often referencing alignment with federal incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act. A tax credit will be available for these qualified projects for taxable years between January 1, 2027, and January 1, 2032, with varying credit amounts and caps for residential, commercial/industrial, and utility-scale projects, and an overall annual aggregate cap. The Department of Energy will monitor the tax credit's allocation, publish quarterly reports, and maintain a public dashboard on installations by January 1, 2027, with the entire act taking effect on that date.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Continued to next session in Finance (Voice Vote) (on 02/11/2026)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1133
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1133) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133880.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1133/text/HB1133
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