News & updates
Legislative filings, regulatory milestones, and the long road to January 1, 2027.
July 22, 2026EquipmentHoymiles HiFlow Pro is the first UL 3700 plug-in microinverter in the US
The certification lands a year before Virginia's HB 395 consumer protections take effect on January 1, 2027 — and it's the first hardware most Virginians will legally be able to plug in.
June 18, 2026RegulatorySCC circulates draft HB 395 notification form for public comment
The State Corporation Commission's plug-in solar work group has released the first official draft of the notification template. Comments close August 1, 2026.
May 2, 2026LegalAttorney General opinion narrows HOA authority to block plug-in solar
A formal opinion issued by the Office of the Attorney General clarifies that HOAs cannot indirectly ban compliant plug-in systems by invoking architectural review powers.
April 11, 2026ComparisonHow Virginia's HB 395 stacks up against Utah's HB 340
The two earliest US plug-in solar statutes take different routes to the same destination. Virginia leans consumer-protection; Utah leans equipment.
March 22, 2026UtilityDominion Energy publishes its draft HB 395 notification process
A one-page voluntary form, no interconnection agreement, and no changes to the customer's meter or rate class. The state's largest utility signals a light-touch approach.
February 14, 2026EquipmentFirst UL 3700-listed plug-in solar kits reach US retailers
Three manufacturers received UL 3700 certification in February. Retail rollout begins in Q2, with prices ranging from $499 to $1,100 for complete kits.
January 9, 2026RegulatorySCC opens HB 395 stakeholder work group, formally beginning rulemaking
An 18-month process that will produce the notification form, utility guidance, and equipment attestation rules before HB 395's consumer protections take effect.