West Virginia PSC Net Metering Rules 150 CSR 33: System Capacity, Insurance, and Interconnection

Key Takeaways

• Residential net metering systems are capped at 25 kilowatts (August 2026).
• Commercial systems can reach 500 kilowatts (August 2026), industrial up to 2 megawatts (August 2026).
• Utilities have an aggregate cap of three percent (3%) (August 2026) of peak demand for all net metering.
• General liability insurance is required, ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000 (August 2026) based on system size.

What are the system capacity limits for net metering in West Virginia?

The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) Series 150-33 outlines specific nameplate capacity limits for net metering systems, varying by customer type. As of August 2026, a residential service location can install a generation project with a nameplate capacity not greater than 25 kilowatts. Commercial service locations are limited to 500 kilowatts, while industrial service locations can install systems not greater than 2 megawatts.

For customer-generators served by rural electric cooperatives, municipally-owned electric utilities, or utilities serving fewer than thirty-thousand residential customers, the maximum nameplate capacity is 50 kilowatts (August 2026).

These limits ensure that distributed generation integrates into the grid without exceeding specific thresholds.

| Small Utility / Co-op System Capacity | Maximum 50 kilowatts (August 2026) | Figures as of August 2026.

We verified these figures by directly consulting the West Virginia Public Service Commission's Series 150-33 rules, codified under W. Va. Code R. § 150-33, on August 23, 2026.

What are the aggregate and circuit penetration limits for net metering?

Beyond individual system capacities, West Virginia's rules also establish limits on the total amount of net metered generation a utility must accommodate and specific circuit penetration thresholds. The total generation capacity installed by all customer-generators cannot exceed three percent (3%) (August 2026) of the electric utility aggregate customer peak demand in the State during the previous year. Within this aggregate cap, no less than one-half percent (0.5%) (August 2026) is reserved specifically for residential customer-generators.

Utilities may also apply to the Commission to limit additional net metering connections if distributed generation exceeds fifteen percent (15%) (August 2026) of the peak load on three-phase circuits, or five percent (5%) (August 2026) of the peak load on single-phase circuits. These limits help maintain grid stability and reliability.

What insurance is required for net metering systems?

The West Virginia PSC Series 150-33 rules mandate general liability insurance for net metering systems, with requirements tiered by system size. A customer-generator with a facility up to 50 kW (August 2026) must maintain general liability insurance in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) (August 2026).

For systems with a nameplate capacity greater than 50 kW (August 2026) and up to 500 kW (August 2026), the required general liability insurance increases to five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) (August 2026).

The highest insurance requirement applies to facilities with a nameplate capacity greater than 500 kW (August 2026), which must maintain general liability insurance in the amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) (August 2026). You should ensure your insurance coverage meets these requirements before interconnection.

How does metering work for net metering in West Virginia?

The rules specify certain requirements for metering net-metered installations. A customer applying to be a customer-generator after November 15, 2019, must agree to the installation of a blank meter socket (August 2026) in a utility-approved accessible location. This allows the electric utility to directly measure the customer-owned generating facility's output.

If an electric utility chooses to install non-standard meter(s), the utility is responsible for the expenses for these non-standard meters, including the cost of the meter and its installation. This covers costs that exceed the incremental cost to meter a customer-generator (August 2026) with standard equipment. The rules also define virtual meter aggregation as "The combination of readings and billing for all meters regardless of rate class on eligible properties owned or leased by a Customer-generator by means of the electric utility billing process" (August 2026).

What are the interconnection standards and other provisions?

All electric utilities, customer-generators, and other entities governed by these rules must comply with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards at all times (August 2026). This ensures a consistent and safe standard for interconnection.

The rules also state that charges for energy consumption contained in the net metering tariff for customer-generators must be the same as charges for energy consumption contained in the standard service tariff (August 2026) under which the customer-generator would otherwise be served. This ensures retail rate energy parity for net metered customers.

When planning your system, consider that systems requiring distribution upgrades must fund actual incremental interconnection costs directly (August 2026). This is a point not explicitly detailed in the main statutory provisions but noted as a gap in general understanding. For specific guidance on system sizing and interconnection, you may consult our solar sizing tool.

Understanding these regulations is crucial for successful solar installation. You can compare these rules with those in neighboring states by reviewing our guides on Virginia SCC Net Metering Rules, Pennsylvania PUC Chapter 75 Net Metering, and Ohio PUC Net Metering and Interconnection.