12News On Your Side: Solar Advocates Push Against Dominion’s Net Metering Proposal

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Dozens of solar advocates signed up to speak to a State Corporation Commission courtroom Tuesday morning to oppose Dominion Energy’s proposal to revise its net metering policy.

Those against the change say it will cut their compensation rates by 30% and ultimately harm the value of rooftop solar.

The utility company is asking the SCC to change how solar customers are credited for the electricity their panels generate and put onto the grid, changing how excess energy is measured.

Solar advocates say this would make it harder to incentivize people to install panels on their homes.

Homeowners are currently getting anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more per year through the program.

An advocate with Habitat for Humanity says the smaller homes he works with get about $75 a month, which can make a real difference to Virginia families right now.

“I would speak for the homeowner, being treated fairly, who was promised at the beginning of a contract, this is how it would work, all of a sudden, the big brother wants to change the rules, and I don’t think it’s fair,” said one unnamed homeowner.

Solar United Neighbors held a press conference at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square on Tuesday, following the start of the hearing.

“At the end of the day, this is really about regular people standing up for their rights to invest their own money, to save on rising energy costs, and to build clean, resilient energy into their communities,” said Aaron Sutch with Solar United Neighbors.

Dominion’s initial petition asks for the policy to be revised, noting it has been around for 25 years, but program use has vastly changed in the last five years due to rapid growth.

The proposal comes as Virginians grow increasingly concerned about rising costs.

Attendees of the press conference cited concerns about data coming to the area.

“People are feeling it in their pocketbooks, and there’s more to come,” said Marta Tomic with Vote Solar. “This is something that less than 2% of Dominion customers participate in.”

12 On Your Side reached out to Dominion Energy and received the following statement:

“Because this is an ongoing case with the SCC – and the hearing began today – we’ll let our testimony, proposal and feedback that we’ve filed speak for us, as they are already in the public record."

Details on the filings in the case can be found here.

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