Dominion Energy Solar Net Metering in Virginia (2026)

A plain-English look at how Dominion Energy generally credits exported solar in Virginia, why those rules shape system sizing, and what to confirm with Dominion and the SCC before you sign.

If you're getting solar quotes in Dominion Energy territory in Virginia, the single thing that decides whether your math works is how the utility credits the power you send back to the grid. I'm an independent solar broker. I don't install, so I have no system to sell you and no reason to talk you into a bigger array than you need. What I do is read your quote and tell you straight whether the numbers add up. And in Virginia, a lot of the "savings" a rep promises hinges on net metering details they often gloss over. Here's how it generally works and what to verify before you sign anything.

What net metering actually does for you

Net metering is the billing arrangement that lets your solar panels offset your electric bill. When your roof produces more than your home is using, the extra flows back to the grid and you earn a credit. When you're pulling from the grid at night or on a cloudy day, those credits get applied against what you owe. In simple terms, your meter runs both directions, and at the end of the billing period you pay for your "net" usage.

The reason this matters so much is that solar rarely lines up perfectly with when you use power. You make the most electricity at midday and use the most in the morning and evening. Net metering is what bridges that gap. The more favorably your utility credits exports, the more your panels are worth.

How Dominion generally credits exported solar

In Dominion Energy's residential Virginia territory, net metering has historically credited exported energy in a way that's close to retail value, meaning a kilowatt-hour you send out has been worth roughly what you'd pay to buy one back. That's a favorable setup compared with states that have moved to lower "export rates," and it's a big reason solar pencils out for a lot of Virginia homes.

That said, I want to be careful here. Virginia's solar rules have been in motion for several years, and the specifics around credit value, eligible system size, any standby or grid charges for larger systems, and how end-of-period credits are settled can and do change. So treat the "retail-ish credit" idea as the general shape of things, not a permanent guarantee. The exact terms that apply to your account are set by Dominion's current tariff and overseen by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC).

Why these rules drive how your system should be sized

This is where I see the most quotes go sideways. When export credits are close to retail value, building a system that covers most or nearly all of your annual usage can make sense, because the summer surplus carries over to offset winter shortfalls. But if a program caps system size relative to your historical usage, or settles excess credits at a low rate at the end of the year, then a system that overproduces is just giving away cheap power.

So the right size depends entirely on the current rules. A good quote sizes your system to your actual 12-month usage and the way Dominion credits exports, not to the biggest array that fits on your roof. A rep paid on system size has every incentive to oversize. I don't, which is why I look hard at the production estimate versus your real bills.

Red flags I watch for in Virginia quotes

  • A proposal that assumes you'll get full retail credit for every kilowatt-hour forever, with no mention of the current tariff or possible changes.
  • A system sized well above your annual usage "to be safe" when overproduction may earn little.
  • A rep still quoting the 30% federal tax credit as if it's locked in. The federal residential credit (Section 25D) changed for purchases after the end of 2025, so anyone leaning on that old 30% number is working from outdated information. Check current federal rules and any Virginia state or local programs before counting on incentives.
  • Vague language about "bill elimination" without showing the export credit assumptions behind it.

What to confirm before you sign

Call Dominion Energy directly, or check their current net metering tariff, and ask three things: how exported energy is credited right now, whether there's a system size limit tied to your usage, and how any leftover credits are settled at the end of the billing cycle. You can also check the Virginia SCC for the rules currently in effect. Get the answers in writing if you can, and make sure your installer's production and savings estimate matches those terms, not a rosier version.

On price, keep it in perspective

Installed residential solar pricing varies a lot by system size, equipment, and installer. As a rough directional range, I often see quotes land somewhere around $2.50 to $3.50 per watt before any incentives, but that's an example to anchor against, not a fixed fact. Always check the per-watt number on your own quote and compare it against another bid or two. A fair net metering setup doesn't help you if you overpaid by 40% up front.

The bottom line

Dominion's net metering in Virginia has generally been one of the friendlier setups for making solar work, but the value lives in the details and those details can shift. Size to your real usage, confirm the current export credit terms with Dominion and the SCC, and don't let anyone talk you into a bigger system than the rules reward. If you want a second set of eyes that isn't trying to sell you anything, send me your quote.