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NOVEC interconnection application

NOVEC is an electric cooperative serving 169,027 residential customers in Virginia (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: PDF + email (Email to NOVEC net metering / system metering department). Gridpol files NOVEC interconnection applications for licensed installers – solar, storage and EV chargers – with single-line diagram and site plan, unlimited for $500 a month.

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Partly researched from official sources. NOVEC publishes only an email contact; no online form, fee schedule or checklist found. Verify on first project: NMIN submission channel, NEM-10 rider terms, inspection fee, storage rules, meter installation timeline.

NOVEC at a glance

Utility

Northern Virginia Elec Coop

Type

Electric cooperative

EIA utility ID

13640

Residential customers

169,027 (EIA-861, 2025)

Net-metered residential customers

3,981 (EIA-861, 2025)

Service territory

7 counties in Virginia

How to apply

PDF + email – Email to NOVEC net metering / system metering department · official link

Who submits

Customer or the selected solar installer contacts NOVEC's system metering department (NOVEC 'Ready to go solar?').

Export compensation

NEM – NOVEC Schedule NEM-10 (net metering)
Net meter records delivered and exported energy; excess offsets future bills (NOVEC Net Metering page). Rider text not reviewed.

Review time (official)

VA rule 20VAC5-315-30: residential - utility has 30 days from notification to determine compliance; customer may interconnect on day 31 unless utility requests a waiver; non-residential 60/61 days. Notification date = 3rd day after mailing.

Documents NOVEC asks for

  • Interconnection application formSCC Form NMIN: Sections 1-4 must be submitted to and approved by the cooperative before any construction/installation Gridpol prepares this.
  • Customer signatureMember/customer signs NMIN
  • Proof of insuranceLiability insurance >= $100,000 for <=10 kW AC; >= $300,000 for >10 kW AC (20VAC5-315-60)
  • UL 1741 / IEEE 1547 certificationVendor certifies on the NMIN form that the generator complies with UL/IEEE 1547 (20VAC5-315-40 A 4)
  • Final inspection sign-offLicensed electrician certifies on the SCC notification form (NMIN) that installation meets NEC/manufacturer specs, or signed final electrical inspection if installed by customer or Class A/B contractor (20VAC5-315-40 A 3)
  • Net metering / net billing agreementSeparate agreement for service under the net metering rider is required

How the NOVEC process runs

  1. Select installer.
  2. Customer or installer emails netmetering@novec.com / contacts system metering department to start; submit SCC Form NMIN Sections 1-4 before installation (VA rule).
  3. Install; electrician certification or final inspection on NMIN.
  4. NOVEC installs net meter; operation begins.

Size levels and limits

LevelUp toNote
Residential20 kW20 kW AC (VA cooperative limit)
Non-residential1000 kW1 MW AC
Net metering cap20 kW

VA cooperative limits 20 kW AC residential / 1 MW non-residential (20VAC5-315-20); NOVEC tariff NEM-10 caps with published remaining capacity.

Sources

Virginia interconnection rule

Commission

Virginia State Corporation Commission

Interconnection rule

20VAC5-315 (Regulations Governing Net Energy Metering, incl. interconnection of net metering facilities); 20VAC5-314 (Interconnection of Small Electrical Generators and Storage, for non-net-metered) – Regulations Governing Net Energy Metering · source

Applies to

Electric distribution companies: investor-owned (Dominion, Appalachian Power) and electric cooperatives; 20VAC5-314 does not apply to net metering customers (they follow 20VAC5-315)

Application form

Commission-approved net metering notification form (or identical utility electronic system) signed by customer, licensed electrician and vendor (20VAC5-315-30/40); non-NEM: Level 1 Interconnection Request Form (Schedule 5) <=500 kW

Timelines

Net metering: residential customer must notify before construction and get approval before interconnecting; utility has 30 days (nonresidential 60 days) from notification (third day after mailing) to determine compliance (20VAC5-315-30).

Fees

Net metering: no application fee in rule; up to $50 per generator for inverter-settings inspection (>10 kW) or protective settings inspection; standby charges only for Phase II utility residential >15 kW (20VAC5-315-40/50).

Insurance

Net metering: <=10 kW at least $100,000 liability (homeowners/commercial); >10 kW at least $300,000; no higher limits or additional policies may be required (20VAC5-315-60). Non-NEM (314-160): $100k <=10 kW, $300k <=500 kW, $2M >500 kW.

External disconnect

Lockable, utility-accessible, load-breaking manual disconnect switch only if required by the utility's tariff; electrician certifies installation on the notification form (20VAC5-315-40 A 2-3).

Export compensation

NEM – Va. Code 56-594, 56-594.01, 56-594.2; 20VAC5-315
Monthly netting at retail rate under same tariff as non-NEM customers; 12-month net metering period. Recent SCC proceedings revising Dominion/APCo net metering not verified here.

Not bound by the rule

Electric cooperatives are covered (20 kW residential / 1 MW nonresidential). Municipal utilities are not SCC-regulated and set their own policies.

Other utilities in Virginia

All Virginia utilities →

Gridpol Unlimited

$500 / month

Unlimited interconnection applications. 12-month agreement, signed online. The agreement starts the day you sign; first invoice right away, then monthly.

  • Unlimited interconnection applications
  • Single-line diagram and site plan for every application
  • Pre-submission check against the utility’s requirements
  • Homeowner e-signature link for the authorization
  • Filing in your utility portal accounts or by the utility’s method
  • Utility questions, corrections and resubmissions
  • Follow-up through approval, inspection and PTO
  • Customer list, exports, API and webhooks
Get started

Applications are typically submitted within 2 business days after complete documents. Utility review times are set by each utility.

Get started – $500/month unlimited