Partners and advocates rallied for affordable, clean energy outside Richmond’s General Assembly Building. Photo by David Parrish Photography.

As Virginia’s energy demand grows, solar and storage remain the fastest, most affordable resources available to meet energy demand. A package of bills work together to increase affordable, clean energy by significantly increasing storage and small scale solar targets, removing regulatory bottlenecks, and enhancing consumer protections to meet demand with speed and savings. We can secure a reliable, cost-effective, clean energy future for the Commonwealth with the Affordable Clean Energy Package:

Local energy, like small-scale solar, can be deployed on built environments like rooftops, parking lots, and previously disturbed lands, helping preserve Virginia’s farmland and forests while generating energy where it’s needed. These local energy sources reduce strain on our transmission grid by generating power exactly when it is consumed. By expanding small scale solar, schools, municipalities, and businesses can save money as increased competition will lower costs.

VCN and our Partners support the following bills to expand small scale solar:

Batteries make the grid cheaper, adaptable, and more reliable. Batteries maximize the benefits of existing solar and can be brought online faster than large fossil projects–benefiting Virginians immediately. A report by IdeaSmiths found that doubling the amount of Virginia’s battery storage will save ratepayers approximately $11 billion by drastically reducing fuel charges to customers, which have been and will continue to be a major driver of customer bill increases.

Increasing Virginia’s energy storage ensures we have the backup power needed to meet energy demand during peak demand and extreme weather. Localities can eliminate regulatory bottlenecks for energy storage through a state-model ordinance that gives clear safety and zoning guidance for approving projects. Proactive planning can also ensure Virginia remains competitive in attracting investment into energy storage and jobs.

VCN and our Partners support the following bills to increase energy storage:

Additional measures are needed to protect homeowners who own or lease residential solar projects. Homeowners can obtain further transparency on all of the details within a residential solar project before signing. Homeowners can also be protected against bad actors who use confusing contracts and predatory tactics, saving their time and money. Overall, these measures will help build further trust between homeowners and the solar industry.

VCN and our Partners support the following bills to protect homeowners with residential solar projects:

Modernizing rooftop solar permitting can remove existing barriers like long wait times, high installation costs, and other regulatory bottlenecks. These measures will work alongside existing state building and safety codes, helping approve projects faster without compromising safety.

VCN and our Partners support the following bills to streamline smart rooftop solar permitting:

Renters, condo owners, and those with unsuitable roofs can benefit from plug-in balcony solar systems to power their homes and lower their energy bills. Enabling balcony solar will remove interconnection red tape while complying with national safety standards.

VCN and our Partners support the following bills to permit residential balcony solar:

Email your state legislators and urge them to support the Affordable Clean Energy Package!

Also, see the real-time updates from LIS on the bill tracker below: