Energy 101: Inside the DMV Energy Policy Puzzle
Solar and battery policy rarely comes from a single source. In the Mid-Atlantic, it comes from state legislatures, utility regulators, a regional grid operator, federal agencies, and the courts, each with its own process and pace. Last Month, Thomas Turner, Virginia Director of Conservatives for Clean Energy (CCE), led a panel called Energy 101 aimed at untangling how these pieces fit together, from the rules governing a rooftop solar customer’s bill to the federal tax credits that shape the market nationwide.
The Energy 101 panel was part of the Energize Summit, hosted by the Chesapeake Solar and Storage Association (CHESSA). The summit, formerly known as Solar Focus, is billed as the premier annual gathering for solar and storage professionals in the DMV region. It brings together industry experts, government officials, and thought leaders to discuss market growth, technology advances, and regulatory updates. The event fosters collaboration among businesses, policymakers, and advocates working on solar and storage in Maryland, DC, and Virginia, whether attendees are industry veterans or new to the field.
The panel featured CCE-VA Director Turner; Katie Rever, Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, IGS Solar; Harry Warren, President, CleanGrid Advisors; and Nick Montoni, Senior Program Director, NC Clean Energy Technology Center.
The discussion began with two policy tools that shape solar development: net energy metering (NEM) and renewable portfolio standards (RPS). Net metering determines how customers with their own solar systems are compensated for the power they send back to the grid, and panelists explained how it works and the different compensation structures. Renewable portfolio standards require utilities to obtain a set share of their electricity from qualifying sources.
From there, the panel turned to differences in regulation and policy processes across the DMV. Turner gave a high-level overview of Virginia, including the roles of the Governor, the General Assembly, and the State Corporation Commission in the energy and regulatory process. The panel also reviewed Washington, DC, and the federal perspective. Overall, the panel was well received and informative.