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Happy Friday!
July 31, 2026
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This week, the Energy Right team was in Charlottesville where we attended the Shared Solar Celebration! Community meetings, open discussion, and just seeing more and more people interested in learning more about clean energy is the core of Energy Right.
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Comments on the Virginia Energy Plan
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In June, Governor Spanberger announced the decision to open the Virginia Energy Plan Input Portal, creating an opportunity for Virginians, state agencies, utilities, and advocacy organizations to help shape the Commonwealth’s energy future. Energy policy affects every Virginian, from families paying monthly utility bills to manufacturers planning expansions and rural landowners considering new opportunities for their property.
Energy Right jumped at the opportunity and submitted recommendations to the state centered on reliability, affordability, responsible development, and stronger local partnerships. As Virginia’s electricity demand continues to rise, it is important that the Commonwealth pushes for practical, all-of-the-above solutions that strengthen the grid while keeping energy affordable. That means continuing to invest in a diverse mix of resources, as well as the transmission infrastructure and modern grid improvements needed to deliver reliable power. One point we strongly advocated for in our recommendations is that Virginia’s energy needs require stronger partnerships with local communities.
Many local governments are reviewing increasingly complex energy proposals with limited staff and technical resources, making outside education and technical assistance essential for local governments to make informed decisions, which should not be the case. Additionally, Energy Right pushed that responsible energy development should protect private property rights while providing predictable standards that balance agricultural preservation and community priorities. By building local capacity and embracing practical, community-focused solutions, Virginia can strengthen reliability, support continued economic growth, and ensure its energy future remains affordable, resilient, and prepared.
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FROM THE ROAD
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Energy Right attended a celebration of Virginia’s new shared solar capacity hosted by Apex Clean Energy, Aurora Energy Research, and Dimension Energy. The event featured a panel discussion featuring Virginia’s Chief Energy Officer Josephus Allmond, Virginia Energy Commission Director Carrie Hearne, the Local Energy Alliance Program, Community Climate Collaborative, and Gray’s LAMBscaping. We are grateful to be attending events like these and to learn from industry leaders about the future of the shared solar program in Virginia as the legislature drastically increased the shared solar capacity requirement this year.
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What We’re Thinking
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Shared Solar Expands in Virginia
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Yesterday the Energy Right team had the opportunity to attend an event hosted by Apex Clean Energy, Aurora Energy Research, and Dimension Energy to celebrate the expansion of shared solar in Virginia. The event featured a panel discussion with Virginia’s Chief Energy Officer, Josephus Allmond, and other industry experts who discussed the growing importance of shared solar as a solution to lower costs for families, combat the affordability crisis, and generate more energy for the Commonwealth. Shared solar began in 2020 in Virginia and allows multiple customers to subscribe to a solar project in their community and receive credits on their electricity bills based on the energy produced. Instead of installing panels on their own property, customers can participate in the program and benefit from local energy generation.
Virginia’s expanded program comes at a critical time as electricity demand continues to rise due to data centers, advanced manufacturing, and population growth. The legislation that passed this year more than doubles the amount of shared solar available in Dominion Energy territory and expands opportunities in Appalachian Power territory, allowing more and more Virginians to subscribe to a nearby solar project and receive credits on their monthly electric bills. Current subscribers save 10% or more on their electricity costs, demonstrating that clean energy can also be an affordability tool.
During the event, Aurora Energy Research presented a study on Virginia’s shared solar program showing that expanding the program could save Virginia ratepayers more than $2.5 billion over the next 25 years, whether or not a customer is subscribed, by adding lower-cost electricity to the grid and helping reduce wholesale power costs. As Virginia works to balance reliability, affordability, and economic growth, shared solar represents a viable option that gives consumers more choice while helping keep energy costs lower for everyone.
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A quieter week for the Energy Right team, attending the Charlottesville solar event and catching up on some book work!
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Virginia has begun developing its new four-year energy plan, a roadmap that will outline how the Commonwealth intends to meet growing electricity demand while working toward its long-term energy goals. Governor Abigail Spanberger’s administration is gathering public input through regional meetings and an online survey, emphasizing an “all-of-the-above” approach that includes renewables, nuclear, and existing energy resources. The final plan, expected this fall, will help guide Virginia’s energy priorities over the next decade.
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