Just days before the close of the 2026 legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly passed two identical bills aimed at regulating the use of these devices: House Bill 395 and Senate Bill 250.

Both measures received overwhelming bipartisan support in the state legislature. The legislation represents the first plug-in solar policy to clear both chambers of a state legislature since HB 340 was passed in Utah on March 12, 2025.

Efforts to introduce similar legislation are currently underway in at least 27 other states, reflecting what advocates describe as a growing nationwide movement to enable plug-in solar. However, proposals in Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming have failed to advance during the current legislative session, while efforts in several other states have progressed slowly.

Plug-in solar advocates have welcomed Virginia’s latest move.

Cora Stryker, co-founder of the plug-in solar nonprofit Bright Saver, said the decision reflects growing concern over rising electricity costs.

“It’s clear that Virginia’s leadership understands that renters and homeowners alike need relief from rising energy bills now,” Stryker said. “Virginia is leading the pack toward a cleaner, more affordable future – but it certainly won’t be the last to reach this milestone.”

Abigail Spanberger, governor of Virginia, has promoted the portable solar legislation as part of her “Affordable Virginia” agenda, which aims to reduce costs for residents by ensuring that Virginians “are making use of the resources currently available to them to lower their energy bills.”

Under state rules, the governor must act on legislation within 30 days after the legislature adjourns, which occurred on March 14. If Spanberger signs the bills as expected, the new framework for plug-in solar devices will take effect on January 1, 2027.