Balcony Solar in Virginia
Everything you need to know about plug-in and balcony solar law in Virginia, plus what it means for what you're allowed to plug in, and what it saves.
Is it legal?
Yes.
Virginia's House Bill 395 was signed into law and takes effect on 1 January 2027. It permits systems up to 1,200W of plug-in solar per customer, raised from the earlier draft's 391W cap after months of coalition work, which can be plugged into a standard outlet with no permit and no utility approval required.
The law explicitly bars utilities from charging any fee or requiring interconnection review for a qualifying plug-in solar device.
Bright Saver's 180W and 360W kits both sit well below Virginia's 1,200W cap, so they need no electrician, no dedicated circuit and no permit.
What You Can Save in Virginia
Virginia's average residential electricity price is about 16.4 cents per kWh (EIA, 2026 average). A 180 W kit generating about 270 kWh a year saves roughly $44 a year; a 360 W kit roughly $89.
Those are modest numbers on their own. What tips Virginia residents toward buying anyway is that the kit pays for itself over its life and there is no roof work or contractor needed.
The rules, in one table
Bill
Signed
HB 395
22 April 2026
Effective
1 January 2027
Maximum System Size
1,200 W
No-Electrician Threshold
391 W
Permit Required
No
Utility Notification
Pre-installation notification required
HOA Can Prohibit
Bright Saver Ships Here
N/A
Yes
If You Rent in Virginia
Nothing in HB 395 requires a landlord's permission for a plug-in system, and nothing is drilled or wired into the building. The kit comes down in under ten minutes when you move.
What to buy
Both Bright Saver kits qualify for Virginia's simplest tier. A $29 annual membership unlocks member pricing below. Free shipping to Virginia.
Balcony Solar 180 W
Do-It-Yourself, No roof or electrician needed
MEMBER-ONLY PRICE
Balcony Solar 360 W
Do-It-Yourself, No roof or electrician needed
MEMBER-ONLY PRICE