2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26104178D

HOUSE BILL NO. 289

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 9, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 23 of Title 56 a section numbered 56-596.7, relating to electric utilities; small portable solar generation devices.

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Patrons—Anderson, Anthony, Carnegie, Clark, Cole, N.T., Guzman, Henson, Martinez, Rasoul, Schmidt, Shin and Willett

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Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 23 of Title 56 a section numbered 56-596.7 as follows:

§ 56-596.7. Small portable solar generation devices; exempt from interconnection.

A. As used in this section, a "small portable solar generation device" means a moveable photovoltaic generation device that (i) has a maximum power output of not more than 1,200 watts at a single premise, (ii) is designed to be connected to the electrical system of a building through a standard 120-volt alternating current outlet, (iii) is not designed to be interconnected with the electric grid, (iv) is located on the customer's side of the electric meter and intended primarily to offset part of the customer's electricity consumption, (v) meets the standards of the most recent version of the National Electrical Code, and (vi) is certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, as described in 29 C.F.R. § 1910.7, or an equivalent nationally recognized testing laboratory.

B. Any customer of an investor-owned utility, municipal utility, or electric cooperative may own and operate a small portable solar generation device that meets the requirements of this section without being subject to interconnection requirements, net energy metering provisions, or any other provision of law requiring reimbursement to or approval from the electric utility to own and operate the small portable solar generation device. No investor-owned utility, municipal utility, or electric cooperative shall require a customer using a small portable solar generation device to obtain the utility's approval before installing or using the device, pay any fee or charge related to the device, or install any additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated with the device.

C. A customer that owns and operates a small portable solar generation device shall ensure that the device includes a device or feature that prevents the device from exporting power to the electric grid or from affecting the electrical system of the building during a power outage.

D. No investor-owned utility, municipal utility, or electric cooperative shall be liable for any damage or injury caused by a small portable solar generation device.