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Happy Friday!
May 16, 2025
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The Energy Right team has been busy as ever through the May storms this week, visiting just over half a dozen counties in attendance for multiple local meetings, public hearings, and proposals. Stay tuned for another new podcast announcement soon as well!
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A Solar Story from Ault’s Farm
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Steve Ault on his farm
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If the topic of solar farms has come up in your community and left you with more questions than answers, we wanted to share a story from Prince Edward County that might help bring some clarity. The Energy Right team recently visited a 20-acre solar site and spoke with a local sheep and solar farmer whose experience we found to be one that resonates with our mission and the people in the communities we’ve visited.
Steve Ault, a property owner in Prince Edward, had used his land for so long, you could tell there was pride and care for his farm. Maintaining farmland is a consistently demanding job, and Steve began to feel that at his age, it was time to hand the reins over to a younger, local grazer of the community. When he first heard about a proposed solar project, he was skeptical, like many are. Questions about short-term and long-term alike—but as he learned more, he began to see the value in it.
Project development came together with a plan that felt worth it to Mr. Ault, and now, his solar farm is set to remain on the land for 25 years—providing his family with clean energy, financial security, and a dependable use of the land over time. Today, sheep still roam beneath the panels, keeping vegetation low and agriculture active. It’s a working landscape that continues to benefit both the grid and the community.
The addition of solar has made a real difference for Steve’s family. With less daily labor and a new source of income, he’s able to spend more time with loved ones—knowing that the land is still providing for future generations. What started as skepticism turned into a partnership grounded in practicality. For those weighing the potential of solar, his story is one of many that act as a reminder that energy decisions can reflect both long-term vision and local values.
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Sheep of the Week
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This happy ewe is showing off her healthy two lambs on the Ault family farm in Prince Edward County! Solar Grazer Matt English was kind enough to show us around at the end of lambing season this spring. The sheep on this property are decedents of the sheep that grazed this farm before solar. The Ault Family couldn’t be happier to see the sheep continue grazing under panel!
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From Landfill to Land Use,
Scott County Brightens up with Solar
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On Monday, May 12th, the Scott County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of special use permits for three proposed solar facilities uniquely sited on and around a former landfill. One of the projects is planned directly atop the closed landfill itself, while the other two would utilize adjacent land that surrounds the site. If ultimately approved by the Board of Supervisors, these developments would mark the county’s first “brownfield to brightfield” energy projects—turning a dormant site into a valuable clean energy resource and setting a new standard for strategic land reuse in the region.
Landfills are rarely seen as sites of opportunity—but that’s precisely what makes this proposal so significant. These properties often sit untouched for decades, burdened by limited development potential and ongoing maintenance needs. By repurposing the land for clean energy production, Scott County is embracing a model that combines environmental remediation with economic return. Responsible development on brownfield sites like this generate long-term tax revenue and help meet rising local and regional electricity demands—all while minimizing land-use conflict.
The Commission’s recommendation also reflects a broader shift in how rural communities can think about energy siting. Instead of viewing energy development as disruptive, Scott County is showing how it can be integrative—supporting the longevity of the land, energy independence, and local growth all at once. As interest in landfill solar continues to grow across Virginia, Scott County’s leadership is part of the blueprint for similar efforts state, and even nation, wide.
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A landfill repurposed into a “brightfield.” North Carver, MA
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This week our team went to Charlotte, Franklin, King and Queen, Mecklenburg, Prince Edward, Scott, and Sussex counties!
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Scott County Mural
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This mural tells the story of innovation in Scott County, and can be found in the county seat, Gate City. The Energy Right team participated in a public hearing where local leaders discussed innovation of a new kind: Brownfield solar development. Brownfields, or former industrial sites that have limited future utility, our prime sites for energy production that can serve local communities in Virginia.
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Virginia signals it’s ready to explore geothermal energy with new legislation
Michael Pope – Radio IQ
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Virginia will officially add geothermal energy to its renewable portfolio standards this summer, following bipartisan support for legislation signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. The bill, introduced by Democrat Sen. Jeremy McPike, signals a growing interest in deep-earth heat as a viable clean energy source.
While Virginia’s geology may present challenges, advocates say Southwest Virginia could be well-positioned to explore this emerging sector.
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NEXT WEEK
We’ll be back at Franklin, Lunenburg, and Wise counties next!
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Virginia has approved a first-of-its-kind utility-scale virtual power plant (VPP) pilot, directing Dominion Energy to build out 450 MW of distributed capacity using home batteries, school buses, and other local energy resources. The program must be filed by the end of 2025 and evaluated in 2028.
With growing demand and grid reliability concerns, Virginia’s move could serve as a blueprint for neighboring states like Maryland, which also passed major clean energy legislation this year.
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