Dominion has a program for a grid-tie system where they'll buy all of your power for systems up to 20kW (although they discourage systems over 10kW with fees). First, does anyone know of pros and cons of the programs? I am not completely following the link http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/13/1119761/-Dominion-s-Solar-Purchase-Program-Undervaluing-solar-overcharging-green-power-customers My other questions: Does forum recommend having both inverter solar power (110v) as well as 24V in a couple of places throughout the house? My house would be one story and 3000 sq feet (about 160 feet in length, as it will be stretched shoehorn shaped. Does forum recommend 220V or any high usage appliances is fed directly by power company (e.g. AC) w/o any inverter?

I saw this program too (I have a 4.7kw in Sterling, VA). From my understanding this program has yet to materialize here.

--EDIT-- In March 2013, the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved a rate program for Dominion Virginia Power customers that install solar PV systems. The rate was approved at 15 cents per kWh with a 5 year contract. Both residential and nonresidential customers are eligible for the program. The program is capped 3 MW, with 60% of the capacity reserved for residential customers and 40% reserved for nonresidential customers. Customers must install a separate meter for the PV system and sell all of the generation back to Dominion. Customers will pay a charge for the meter. The program is considered a pilot program that will last for 5 years, at which point the Dominion will decide whether or not to move forward with a permanent program. -------------- http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=VA58F&re=0&ee=0

Posted By tomtoth on 01 Apr 2013 08:43 AM
I saw this program too (I have a 4.7kw in Sterling, VA). From my understanding this program has yet to materialize here.

--EDIT-- In March 2013, the Virginia State Corporation Commission approved a rate program for Dominion Virginia Power customers that install solar PV systems. The rate was approved at 15 cents per kWh with a 5 year contract. Both residential and nonresidential customers are eligible for the program. The program is capped 3 MW, with 60% of the capacity reserved for residential customers and 40% reserved for nonresidential customers. Customers must install a separate meter for the PV system and sell all of the generation back to Dominion. Customers will pay a charge for the meter. The program is considered a pilot program that will last for 5 years, at which point the Dominion will decide whether or not to move forward with a permanent program. -------------- http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=VA58F&re=0&ee=0

This is convenient for them since grid tie systems are generally designed to match your household AC current and reduce your load from the power company. Anything extra would be backfed into the grid and likely used by your neighbors. So in short every other power company does what they should do and only meters what you actually use. If you have a 10kwhs solar system that produces 900kwhs a month and you use most of that during daylight to run your AC you could probably break even and not pay or pay less. When this gets bad for virginia power is during the spring fall when you are at work during the day and the system is cranking out the 900kwhs during the day and they are having to pay you $.15 a kwh for whatever you are not using. Then you get home at night and really dont use heating or cooling. The reason they are making you sell everything back is to exploit the above system to their advantage and use averages. They know you are creating 900kwhs but probably buying 1500kwhs or more from them on average a month. You will never break even and on top of that you will still pay transmission fees on the power you are supposidly "buying" from virginia power but actaually producing yourself. I would research this really well and make sure it jives with what is actually suppose to be in the program. Also, make sure you find out about your transmission fees.

Posted By NetComrade on 15 Mar 2013 09:37 PM
Dominion has a program for a grid-tie system where they'll buy all of your power for systems up to 20kW (although they discourage systems over 10kW with fees). First, does anyone know of pros and cons of the programs? I am not completely following the link http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/13/1119761/-Dominion-s-Solar-Purchase-Program-Undervaluing-solar-overcharging-green-power-customers My other questions: Does forum recommend having both inverter solar power (110v) as well as 24V in a couple of places throughout the house? My house would be one story and 3000 sq feet (about 160 feet in length, as it will be stretched shoehorn shaped. Does forum recommend 220V or any high usage appliances is fed directly by power company (e.g. AC) w/o any inverter?

This sounds like a very common Netmetering program offered by many Utilities.  They're usually a good deal, and I would recommend an inverter, with only the typical 110VAC and 220VAC outlets in your household.  Your Utility probably won't allow a switch from the inverter to a home DC system.  Also, you will probably have to provide external disconnects, so the utility can remove you from the grid, if they have emergency maintenance to perform.

My guess is, that you will also need some type of permit in your area, and that the Utility will require a copy of the permit, before approving your Netmetering account.

Lots of pros to a Netmetering system.  The only con is that you will probably still get an electric bill, even if you consistently run a surplus.  Utilities all have a fixed fee that they charge for meter reading, etc.  Mine just recently went from $19.95 a month to $29.95.  I wasn't happy about this, and I called, and had a very long conversation with a company representative.  He told me that their goal is to recover all operating expenses except for their power purchase, with the Fixed Fee.  They actually lowered the Usage Fees, when they raised the Fixed Fee!!!  He told me that, just 10 years ago, they didn't operate that way.  The fixed fees only covered a small portion of their operating expenses.  I believe that this policy is very "anti-renewables" in it's approach.