Virginia Energy Opens Applications for Solar Interconnection Grant Program to Advance Public-Sector Solar Projects; Applications Are Due by October 2, 2026
RICHMOND, VA — The Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) today announced the opening of applications for the new Solar Interconnection Grant Program, which will help public bodies offset utility interconnection costs for eligible solar-energy projects across the Commonwealth.
Established through House Bill 683 and Senate Bill 659 of 2026, the program will be administered by Virginia Energy’s Division of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, commonly known as the State Energy Office. The program addresses the cost of connecting distributed solar facilities to the electric grid, which is a key barrier facing public-sector solar development.
“Virginia’s public bodies should not have to put strong solar projects on hold because the cost of connecting to the grid is beyond reach,” said Vince Maiden, Director of the Virginia Department of Energy. “This program will help communities move viable projects forward, reduce long-term energy costs, and provide better information about the interconnection challenges that public-sector solar projects face across the Commonwealth.”
The Solar Interconnection Grant Program offers approximately $2 million in grant funding to Virginia public bodies for eligible interconnection-related expenses at solar facilities located on previously developed sites. Eligible costs may include transformers, relays, direct transfer trip equipment, SCADA and telemetry, metering modifications, protection equipment, engineering, and other utility-required infrastructure needed to complete interconnection.