If your electric bill says Appalachian Power or Wheeling Power, the rules for solar in West Virginia changed on March 1, 2026. Older articles still describe the previous one-for-one system, which new customers can no longer get.

Here is what applies now, who is still covered by the old terms, and what it means when you are comparing solar quotes.

The short version

  • New customers get an export credit of 12.41 cents per kWh from March 1, 2026.
  • Applications submitted before March 1, 2026 keep 1:1 net metering for 25 years.
  • The residential system cap is 25 kW, and credits roll over.

How net metering works on your bill

Your solar panels do two different jobs, and they are credited differently.

Power you use as it is produced never leaves your home. It simply reduces how much electricity you buy from the utility.

Power you send to the grid is an export. Under the current Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power terms for new customers, each exported kilowatt-hour earns a credit of 12.41 cents.

That split is the main thing to understand. The more of your solar you use at home, the less of it depends on the export rate.

Which terms apply to you

Your situation

Your terms

Application submitted before March 1, 2026

1:1 net metering for 25 years

New customer from March 1, 2026

Export credit of 12.41 cents per kWh

What this changes when you compare quotes

A proposal built on one-for-one assumptions will not match what a new AEP customer actually receives. When you review a quote, check these:

  • Which export rate did they use? Ask to see it written down.
  • How much of the production do they expect you to use at home? A home that runs more during the day exports less.
  • Is the system sized to your real usage? Bring 12 months of kWh history, not a single bill.
  • Would a battery change anything? A battery can hold power for later that would otherwise be exported. Whether it is worth adding depends on your home and your goals.

We do not put savings numbers in articles like this one because they depend on your usage, your roof and your rate. A LightSkye solar specialist reviews your bill and your home and shows you what applies at your address.

Rules that apply across West Virginia

  • The residential system cap is 25 kW.
  • Credits roll over.
  • The program is set by West Virginia Code 24-2F-8 (HB 2201, 2015).
  • Residential customers must carry $100,000 in liability insurance.
  • West Virginia has no state solar tax credit, and few other state incentives.
  • The federal homeowner tax credit (25D) is not available for expenditures made after December 31, 2025.

If your bill says Mon Power or Potomac Edison instead, your rules are different. Read our Mon Power and Potomac Edison guide.

Common questions

Does Appalachian Power still offer 1:1 net metering in West Virginia?

Not for new customers. Applications submitted before March 1, 2026 keep 1:1 net metering for 25 years. New customers get an export credit of 12.41 cents per kWh.

Does this apply to Wheeling Power customers?

Yes. Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power are both AEP companies in West Virginia, and the same terms apply.

Do unused credits expire in West Virginia?

No. In West Virginia, credits roll over.

How big can a home solar system be under West Virginia net metering?

The residential cap is 25 kW.

How do I know which utility I have?

Your utility's name is printed on your electric bill.

Sources

Facts checked November 7, 2026. Utility rules change, so confirm current terms with your utility before you sign anything.

LightSkye Energy is a licensed West Virginia solar installer (WV064496). See how solar works in West Virginia, or request a solar quote.