Virginia’s renters may soon have the right to set up small solar panels on their balconies. The Virginia General Assembly passed House Bill 395 and Senate Bill 250, allowing plug-in solar panels without utility company approval. Governor Abigail Spanberger received the bills for her signature.
Virginia renters may soon install small balcony solar panels without needing approval from their utility company.
The House passed the measure with a unanimous 96-0 vote. The Senate approved HB 395 on March 5, 2026, after debate. The law won’t take effect until at least 2027.
The panels are limited to 1,200 watts per home. They plug into a regular outlet and sit on the customer’s side of the meter. Devices must be certified by a recognized testing lab, like UL or Intertek, and meet National Electrical Code standards.
Customers don’t need utility permission before installing a panel. Utilities can’t charge fees related to the devices. However, customers must notify their utility using a form created by the State Corporation Commission. The panels must also prevent power from flowing back into the grid during outages.
Landlords with more than four rental units can’t ban the panels outright. They can set reasonable rules about size, placement, and appearance. Tenants must notify both their landlord and utility before installing. The law specifically targets renters, apartment dwellers, and people whose roofs aren’t suitable for traditional solar.
Safety’s a concern too. The devices include back-feed protection to keep power from entering the grid during outages. Experts raised worries about older wiring and fire risks from cheap devices. Insurance companies haven’t formally objected. Landlords can require renters to carry renter’s insurance.
Before 2027, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade will bring together a group of stakeholders. It’ll include utilities, environmental groups, firefighters, realtors, and government officials. They’ll look at building code issues. The State Corporation Commission will also develop the required notification form. Under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act, the devices are classified as “goods”, giving buyers protections against deceptive advertising and recourse for defective products.
Virginia’s now the second state after Utah to pass a balcony solar law. Utah approved similar rules in 2025 for systems up to 1.2 kW. About 30 other states have introduced similar bills. The Chesapeake Climate Action Network called it an energy affordability priority. Wider adoption of small-scale solar could support decreased dependence on fossil fuels, helping stabilize energy prices for renters and communities alike. Senate Bill 250 was sponsored by Sen. Scott Surovell, a Democrat representing Fairfax.
References
- https://www.henricocitizen.com/plug-in-solar-panels-near-approval-by-general-assembly/
- https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/03/12/virginia-becomes-second-u-s-state-to-advance-plug-in-solar-legislation-to-the-governors-desk/
- https://citizenportal.ai/articles/7615665/Virginia/2026-Legislature-VA/Senate-passes-bill-allowing-small-portable-balcony-solar-devices-amid-safety-and-insurance-concerns
- https://www.utilitydive.com/news/virginia-legislature-passes-balcony-solar-bill/814582/
- https://www.solar.com/learn/guide-to-balcony-plug-in-solar/
- https://apps.dlas.virginia.gov/User_db/frmView.aspx?ViewId=7072&s=7
- https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/solar/virginia-to-become-second-state-balcony-solar
