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Is plug-in solar legal in West Virginia?
No specific law
West Virginia has no plug-in solar law. Plugging a kit into an outlet falls under your utility's interconnection rules, which usually require approval.
Max system sizeNo capsmallest tier: Level 1 <=25 kW
Electrician / permitPermit and inspectionutility rules apply
Tell the utility?Interconnection applicationtypical fee $30
CertificationUL 1741 inverterrequired by every utility
What this means for you
✓ What you can do
- Apply for interconnection like any small generator (Level 1 <=25 kW), typical fee $30.
- Use portable panels with a power station, never connected to house wiring, with no permission at all.
- Install conventional rooftop or ground-mount solar through the standard interconnection process.
✕ Not yet / not allowed
- Plug a grid-tied kit into an outlet without an interconnection agreement; it can breach your service terms.
- Expect a permit or wiring exemption; none exists without a law.
- Count on a law soon: no plug-in solar bill has been filed.
What the rules say
No plug-in solar law or bill in West Virginia.
No law doesn't mean no rules. In West Virginia, a kit that pushes power back into your home wiring is treated like any other grid-connected generator. Most utilities require an interconnection application, and plugging in without one can breach your service agreement. Off-grid use (panels charging a battery that powers devices directly) avoids this entirely.
Before you plug in: West Virginia checklist
- The rule that applies is Public Service Commission of West Virginia's interconnection process: 150CSR33 net metering and interconnection rules.
- A plug-in kit falls in the smallest tier (Level 1 <=25 kW). $30.
- Permits: AHJ or licensed third-party inspection required; $100,000 insurance; UL 1741-SB inverter; 2020 NEC.
- Only consider kits with a UL 1741-listed inverter (UL 3700 preferred); a non-listed inverter will not be approved anywhere.
- What exports are worth: New customers 9.343 c/kWh through 12/31/2026 (secondary); legacy 1:1.
- If approval is slow or costly, a portable panel and power station (never connected to house wiring) needs no permission.
- No plug-in solar bill has been filed yet; the nearby states that passed laws in 2026 are the template to expect.
The rules in detail
West Virginia has no statute specific to plug-in solar. Average residential electricity price: 15.78¢ per kWh (EIA, July 2026).
Your utility's rules in West Virginia
No utility in West Virginia publishes a rule that specifically allows or bans outlet-connected generation, so the general interconnection agreement is what applies. Here is what the largest residential utilities say and require.
| Utility | Residential customers | Published position on plug-in kits |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian Power | 348,946 | No specific statement; 'Level 1 ... nameplate capacity of 25kW or less ... Application fee of thirty dollars ($30)'; electrical inspection by AHJ or state-licensed third-party inspector; $100,000 liability insurance; 'Company executes Permission to Operate'. source |
| Mon Power (FirstEnergy) | 334,588 | No specific statement; 'Level 1 (25kW or less) - $30.00'. source |
| Potomac Edison (FirstEnergy) | 135,266 | Same as Mon Power. |
| Wheeling Power | 34,392 | Same as APCo. |
Interconnection terms for a sub-1.2 kW system
| Regulator | Public Service Commission of West Virginia. |
|---|---|
| Governing rule | 150CSR33 net metering and interconnection rules. |
| Smallest tier | Level 1 <=25 kW. |
| Application fee | $30. |
| Electrician / permit | AHJ or licensed third-party inspection required; $100,000 insurance; UL 1741-SB inverter; 2020 NEC. |
| Export compensation | New customers 9.343 c/kWh through 12/31/2026 (secondary); legacy 1:1. |
| Electrical code | 2020 NEC (eff. 8/1/2022). |
In practice
- $30 fee is lowest explicit fee but insurance + inspection make kits impractical to register.
- Export credit only approved through 12/31/2026.
State incentives
- None (credit expired 2013).
Who is pushing for a law
- Solar United Neighbors West Virginia
- WV Citizen Action Group
Savings preview: 800 W kit in West Virginia
Adjust for your setup →≈ $126/year
Frequently asked questions
Is plug-in solar legal in West Virginia?
West Virginia has no plug-in solar law. Plugging a kit into an outlet falls under your utility's interconnection rules, which usually require approval.
Do I need a permit or electrician for plug-in solar in West Virginia?
Default. Check with your local building department before you plug in.
Do I have to tell my utility in West Virginia?
Default. Plugging in a grid-tied kit without following this can breach your service agreement.
What can an 800 W plug-in kit save in West Virginia?
Roughly 800 kWh and about $126 per year at West Virginia's average residential rate of 15.78¢/kWh, assuming a typical balcony or patio mount. See the calculator for your exact setup.