For the past three years, my family has benefited financially and environmentally from rooftop solar on our small farm and home. We made this investment to lower our electricity costs and support a more sustainable future. Like many West Virginians, we saw solar as a way to take control of our energy needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, the future of solar investment is now at risk.

American Electric Power, our utility provider, is seeking to reduce net metering policies, cutting the value of solar credits by over 70%. If approved, this move would hurt future solar customers. The Public Service Commission must carefully consider the impact of this change, and the Legislature should act to protect net metering as an important tool for energy independence and economic growth.

When we installed solar panels, we knew West Virginia had net metering policies that allowed us to offset our electricity bills by contributing excess energy to the grid. Over time, our solar array has saved us thousands of dollars, reduced demand on the power grid, and helped lower emissions.

Our data shows that we offset our energy usage by 119%, meaning we produce more energy than we consume. Since April 2022, we have produced 31.1 MWh of electricity while using only 26.1 MWh, sending 4.8 MWh back to the grid.

The excess energy we generate is sold by AEP to other customers at increasing costs, while current net metering policies allow us to bank our surplus for nighttime use and for the few months when our panels produce less than we use.

We expected utility costs to continue rising, making solar a smart investment. Since April 2022, AEP has made several rate increase requests, including a $297 million request that the PSC denied and a 15.4% base rate increase proposed in August 2024, which is suspended until May 2025 for review. Meanwhile, we secured a fixed monthly payment for our solar investment over 10 years, protecting our household from these increases.

If rates keep rising while net metering policies are weakened, it could discourage future solar investment and burden homeowners. This also conflicts with broader sustainability commitments and could undermine corporate pledges to support renewable energy.

AEP and FirstEnergy, West Virginia’s largest utility providers, emphasize their commitment to sustainable energy in their Environmental, Social, and Governance reports submitted to the SEC. These reports highlight renewable energy goals, yet their efforts to weaken net metering raise concerns about their true commitment.

Our excess energy does not just add power to the grid — it also boosts their corporate sustainability metrics, making it appear as if they actively support renewable energy. Keeping strong net metering policies ensures that homeowners’ contributions are fairly recognized and that West Virginia supports a diverse and reliable energy system.

West Virginia has an opportunity to create a stronger, more sustainable economy by embracing renewable energy. Rather than seeing residential solar as a challenge, utilities could modernize and adapt.

West Virginia produces more electricity than it consumes, yet residents pay higher-than-average electricity rates compared to neighboring states. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, our per capita income is among the lowest in the country, yet we continue to face rising energy costs. Instead of discouraging solar, West Virginia should be encouraging local energy production.

Lawmakers have introduced two bills aimed at protecting net metering and ensuring fair compensation for solar owners. Passing these bills is essential to ensuring future investors have a clear return on investment.

Net metering is about more than just energy credits. West Virginians should have the ability to make energy decisions that benefit their families while contributing to a stronger, more independent power grid.

I urge the Public Service Commission to carefully review AEP’s proposed net metering cuts, and I encourage the Legislature to pass these critical bills to keep solar a viable option.

Renewable energy is one of many pathways to revitalizing both our economy and environment. Utility companies have a chance to modernize and adjust in ways that benefit all West Virginians.

We must work together to support solar owners and promote policies that encourage–not discourage–energy innovation.

Now is the time to act. Contact your legislators and let them know that fair net metering policies are essential for West Virginia’s future.

Mark Swiger is a solar homeowner who lives in Wheeling.