Virginia clears balcony solar for DIY installation, second-state move

Virginia’s House of Delegates approved a bipartisan bill to legalize balcony solar, allowing plug-in solar kits (about 1,200 watts, roughly four panels) to be installed on balconies, yards, or other sunny spaces and treated like consumer appliances. The measure, supported by Gov. Spanberger and expected to take effect next January, would make Virginia the second state after Utah to enable self-installation of balcony solar, with payback estimates of 2–5 years and potential to curb electricity bills while expanding access to clean energy.