On January 22, 2025, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“SCC”) scheduled an evidentiary hearing inCase No. PUR-2024-00211 to consider standards for interconnecting distributed energy resources in Dominion’s service territory. The order for notice and hearing explained that the hearing will examine, among other things, when the utility may require certain fiber technology called “direct transfer trip” or “DTT.” The order states that the hearing will evaluate Dominion’s proposed methodology for determining when DTT is required for a particular generation facility. The order references Dominion’s November 15, 2024, proposal, which argues that DTT is “the fastest and most reliable way to isolate a fault and remove all sources.” Dominion’s filing also describes certain alternatives to DTT, which could be less costly for distributed resource owners.
Several advocacy organizations, including the Distributed Solar Alliance (“DSA”) and the Coalition for Community Solar Access (“CCSA”), opposed Dominion’s DTT proposal. The DSA’s expert witness testimony argues that Dominion’s DTT requirements for mid-sized net metered projects will force some projects to be cancelled or downsized. The CCSA filed expert testimony alleging that DTT is “typically an unnecessary and expensive mitigation option, costing between $500,000 and $1.5 million per project.”
Virginia law includes several provisions to encourage distributed energy construction. Virginia Code Section 56-594 authorizes net-metered facilities up to 3MW in size. The Virginia Clean Economy Act, at Va. Code § 56-585.5(C) and (D) also requires Dominion to procure minimum quantities of distributed solar energy.
The SCC held an evidentiary hearing on September 30 and October 1. There is no deadline for the Commission to publish a final order in this matter.