Solar Interconnection Grant

The Solar Interconnection Grant Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Energy, provides funding to public bodies to offset the costs of connecting distributed solar energy systems to the electric grid. Established via Senate Bill 659 and House Bill 683, the program targets barriers to public-sector solar development by funding infrastructure upgrades, including transformers, relays, SCADA/telemetry, protection equipment, metering modifications, and necessary engineering services. Eligible projects may be behind-the-meter or front-of-the-meter and must be located at previously developed project sites. The anticipated period of performance ranges from 6 to 18 months. Applications must be submitted through the Virginia Energy Grant Portal by January 15, 2027. Awards are competitive and based on a 100-point scoring system that evaluates organizational summaries, project scope, readiness, interconnection details, and community benefits. Applicants must adhere to strict word counts and submit a master PDF and two Excel files. Grant recipients must comply with Virginia procurement laws and prevailing wage requirements mirroring federal Davis-Bacon standards. Administration requires monthly invoicing by the 15th of each month, quarterly progress reports, and final verification via equipment lists and photos. Payments are issued upon agency acceptance of work, with a potential 5% retainage for construction projects and a final audit before closing.