Kanawha County, WV Solar Energy: Panel Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- Building and electrical
- Utility
- Appalachian Power (AEP)
- Net Metering
- WV PSC, §24-2F-8
- Statewide Cap
- 3% of peak demand
Summary
Rooftop solar in Kanawha County needs building and electrical permits plus a utility interconnection agreement. West Virginia guarantees net metering through the Public Service Commission, capped statewide at three percent of peak demand.
An electric utility shall offer net metering to customer-generators on a first-come, first-served basis so long as the total generation capacity installed by all customer-generators is no greater than three percent (3%) of the electric utility aggregate customer peak demand in the state during the previous year, of which no less than one-half percent (0.5%) is reserved for residential customer-generators.
Full Breakdown
A residential solar system in Kanawha County is permitted as structural and electrical work, requiring a building and electrical permit from the county or city, with wiring meeting the National Electrical Code. Fire-code access pathways around roof ridges and edges shape panel layout. Before connecting to the grid, the owner signs an interconnection agreement with the serving utility, which in the Charleston area is Appalachian Power (AEP). Net metering is set by the WV Public Service Commission under W. Va. Code §24-2F-8, which credits excess generation but caps total net-metered capacity at three percent of each utility's in-state peak demand.
Violations & Fines
Installing without required permits draws a retroactive permit, fines, and code corrections. Connecting to the grid without an interconnection agreement can force the system offline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for solar panels in Kanawha County?
Can I get credit for extra power my panels make?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kanawha County
Compare Kanawha County to another location·View the West Virginia solar energy overview
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