Virginia’s legislature has passed legislation (S.B. 1395) to amend the state’s existing net metering and interconnection law. The bill raises the maximum capacity of non-residential systems placed in service after July 1, 2015, from 500 kW to 1 MW, while limiting — for all sectors — the system size necessary to meet annual on-site needs, as measured by consumption during the customer’s prior 12 months. The bill adds general language to the existing law regarding interconnection, safety and cost responsibility for necessary interconnection-related grid upgrades, and requires utilities to determine whether interconnection requirements have been met within 30 days for residential facilities and 60 days for non-residential facilities.

The governor has until March 30, to sign or veto the bill.