Utility rules
Net metering and solar exports in the DMV
The DMV does not have one net-metering rule. Renovessa identifies utility candidates, asks the homeowner to confirm the account and rate, and preserves the tariff version used in each estimate.
Primary state and utility source review complete; account tariff confirmation remains required.
Imports and exports are different energy flows
Solar used at the home reduces imports. Surplus solar becomes an export. The value, rollover and settlement of exports depend on the current state, utility, customer class, system size, tariff and interconnection status.
Maryland, DC and Virginia require separate paths
Maryland starts with Maryland PSC rules and the serving utility. District projects use DC rules and Pepco's current process. Virginia projects start with SCC rules and then the applicable investor-owned utility or cooperative, such as Dominion or NOVEC.
Why Renovessa asks you to confirm the tariff
A geocoded address can suggest utilities, but service territories overlap and account-level rate schedules cannot be guaranteed from location alone. Savings stay unavailable until the relevant import and export assumptions are explicitly confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is exported solar always worth the retail rate?
- Do not assume so. Compensation, credit rollover and settlement are tariff- and program-specific and can change.
- Does net metering mean the utility bill becomes zero?
- No. Fixed charges, non-bypassable charges, timing differences and system production can leave a bill.
- Is interconnection the same as a building permit?
- No. Local permitting/inspection and utility interconnection/permission to operate are separate processes.
Sources, review and limitations
Renovessa uses primary government, regulator, utility and model-provider sources. Links below are the evidence pack for this guide; account rules, funding and eligibility still require confirmation at decision time.
- Maryland Public Service Commission — net metering
State regulator overview; utility tariffs and current program rules still govern an individual account.
- Pepco — DC interconnection and net energy metering
Utility process page; a submitted project must follow the current tariff and interconnection documents.
- Virginia State Corporation Commission — net metering
Virginia regulator overview and governing resources.
- Dominion Energy Virginia — net metering
Utility-specific program and application information.
- NOVEC — net metering
Cooperative-specific program information for eligible NOVEC customers.
- Substantive change
- Separated jurisdiction and utility paths and added homeowner-confirmation rule.
- Update policy
- Review dates change only after the evidence or explanation is substantively checked—not automatically.
Educational planning information only. It is not a contractor proposal, engineering approval, utility determination, legal advice, tax advice or financial advice. Read the calculator methodology.