Bill of the Day: Prioritizing Distributed Solar Energy
Updated on March 8th, 2024.
Aerial solar view, Lee County. Image credit: Andre Eanes
Why Prioritize Distributed Solar in Virginia?
While Virginia develops more zero carbon energy resources to hit our 100% clean energy targets outlined in the Virginia Clean Economy Act, legislation must prioritize small-scale, on-site (aka “distributed”) solar energy. However, there are many policy barriers in place that hinder on-site and shared solar options for Virginians.
Several pieces of legislation proposed this General Assembly session can ensure that Virginians have the opportunity to access affordable, on-site solar energy. In doing so, we can decrease climate pollution, boost ratepayer savings, and incentivize the development of solar energy on already developed or degraded spaces.
You can take a deeper dive into barriers for distributed solar and policy solutions from the conservation community in Our Common Agenda. To learn more, read our “Powering Progress Through Rooftop Solar” and “Expanding Access to Community Solar” policy papers.
Distributed Solar Bills to Support in the General Assembly
Seven new distributed solar bills have been introduced in the General Assembly to build out solar energy. VCN has taken a position on several of these bills:
(Delegate Rip Sullivan) Expands Virginia’s shared solar program for Dominion and Appalachian Powers’ ratepayers who may not have access to residential solar. This expansion aims to minimize impacts on key natural resources, extend access to solar energy equitably for more Virginians, and facilitate eligibility for federal incentives established by the Inflation Reduction Act. Companion to SB 253.
(Delegate Rip Sullivan) Expands Virginia’s shared solar program for Dominion and Appalachian Powers’ ratepayers who may not have access to residential solar. This expansion aims to minimize impacts on key natural resources, extend access to solar energy equitably for more Virginians, and facilitate eligibility for federal incentives established by the Inflation Reduction Act. Companion to SB 255.
(Delegate Paul Krizek) Allows the Commonwealth to fund solar projects built on former coal mines and brownfields, removing the provision on Virginia’s Brownfield program that only permits federal funds to fund the program. This will facilitate more solar projects on former coal mines and other already degraded land, minimize impacts on existing natural resources, and offset project costs in these locations. Companion to SB25.
(Delegate Jackie Glass) Removes barriers for customers to install residential solar by requiring important disclosures so that all Virginians receive the same information about their solar energy system and about their rights as system owners. Companion to SB 313.
(Delegate Rodney Willett) Clarifies existing Virginia net-metering laws to remove barriers for residential solar by exempting net metering customers with battery storage devices from standby charges and removing the requirement for net metering customers to purchase additional liability insurance. Companion to SB 271.
(Senator Travis Hackworth) Allows the Commonwealth to fund solar projects built on former coal mines and brownfields, removing the provision on Virginia’s Brownfield program that only permits federal funds to fund the program. This will facilitate more solar projects on former coal mines and other already degraded land, minimize impacts on existing natural resources, and offset project costs in these locations. Companion to HB199.
(Senator Scott Surovell) Expands Virginia’s shared solar program for Dominion and Appalachian Powers’ ratepayers who may not have access to residential solar. This expansion aims to minimize impacts on key natural resources, extend access to solar energy equitably for more Virginians, and facilitate eligibility for federal incentives established by the Inflation Reduction Act. Companion to HB 106.
(Senator Scott Surovell) Introduces a pilot program for incentivizing solar installations on parking lots. Parking lot solar reduces land needed to develop for large-scale solar projects and reduces carbon pollution. This pilot program intends to reduce the cost-gap that comes from building canopy infrastructure. Companion to HB 108.
(Senator Suhas Subramanyam) Clarifies existing Virginia net-metering laws to remove barriers for residential solar by exempting net metering customers with battery storage devices from standby charges and removing the requirement for net metering customers to purchase additional liability insurance. Companion to HB 1062.
(Senator Schuyler VanValkenburg) Removes barriers for customers to install residential solar by requiring important disclosures so that all Virginians receive the same information about their solar energy system and about their rights as system owners. Companion to HB 576.
(Delegate David Reid) Introduces a pilot program for incentivizing solar installations on parking lots. Parking lot solar reduces land needed to develop for large-scale solar projects and reduces carbon pollution. This pilot program intends to reduce the cost-gap that comes from building canopy infrastructure. Companion to SB234. (Subcommittee recommends laying on table).
(Delegate Betsy Carr) Ensures new and renovated public buildings are built with energy-efficient, solar-ready roofs. This will result in long-term savings to benefit taxpayers, improving public health, and advancing the achievement of net-zero energy standards. Companion to SB79. (Left in Appropriations).
(Senator Barbara Favola) Ensures new and renovated public buildings are built with energy-efficient, solar-ready roofs. This will result in long-term savings to benefit taxpayers, improving public health, and advancing the achievement of net-zero energy standards. Companion to HB1456. (Tabled in Appropriations)
(Senator Ghazala Hashmi) Introduces a pilot program for incentivizing solar installations on parking lots. Parking lot solar reduces land needed to develop for large-scale solar projects and reduces carbon pollution. This pilot program intends to reduce the cost-gap that comes from building canopy infrastructure. Companion to HB 367. (Continued to 2025 in Appropriations)
Take Action
Prioritizing on-site solar reduces energy burdens and taxpayer costs for Virginians. Furthermore, installing solar on already developed or degraded spaces, such as public buildings, parking lots, and coal fields, reduces the pressure to build solar on farms and forests while also reducing our demand on fossil fuels that emit carbon pollution.
Email your lawmakers through CCAN Action Fund’s action alert to tell them to support SB253/HB106 and SB255/HB108 with pre-written language!