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MERRY CHRISTMAS!
December 20, 2024
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This week our team went across the state, visiting seven different counties on our mission for
Clean Energy the Right Way.
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A Practical Guide to Solar Projects in
Our Communities
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We recently found an excellent new resource for municipal governments from Penn State University. For those living in different counties and communities that have heard of solar projects or talk about considerations of them, the Municipal Officials’ Guide to Gride Scale Solar Development (GSSD) in Pennsylvania has a lot of information to offer that applies to solar projects in our state. The guide goes on to explain the steps that they have found to be most important for communities when considering GSSD, namely, knowing what the most important aspects are for the community and setting those standards up front, then allowing the developers room to work within those boundaries.
This resource covers other essential topics such as the basics of grid-scale solar, technologies involved, and the physical and environmental impacts of such developments. The researchers at Penn State also address land conversion issues, localized economic impacts, tax implications, and considerations for municipal ordinances related to solar projects, all broken into different and easily digestible categories. Designed to educate local officials, the guide aims to facilitate informed decision-making as solar energy becomes increasingly significant in the state’s energy landscape.
As our commonwealth continues growing, the path forward alongside clean energy is apparent. We hope that in connecting local leaders and communities in Virginia with up-to-date resources that we can help inform and discuss all topics relating to clean energy here. This resource, as well as those found on our website, can help inform decision makers and voters alike, helping to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to make the best decisions for their communities.
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Mapping Solar Growth in Virginia: A Spotlight on UVA’s Database Tool
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We’ve shared a little bit about this tool before and wanted to lean in on this weeks’ theme of resources and tools for the public; here is the UVA Weldon Cooper Center’s Virginia Solar Database. This resource offers a comprehensive overview of large-scale solar projects proposed for approval across the state. From permitting statuses to project scales and development teams, the database provides a detailed snapshot of the solar landscape, including insights into the specific counties where projects are being planned.
The database aggregates data from a wide array of public records, including local government archives, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the State Corporation Commission, and PJM Queue data, as well as press and industry sources. With regular updates, it ensures an accurate, up-to-date representation of solar development, streamlining the tracking of projects through local, state, and interconnection approval stages. This can be used to accurately see the solar development in surrounding areas, and insight into individual projects.
We are sure to see more research to come in the following year, and with it, a better understanding of solar projects and initiatives in our Commonwealth. Part of our mission is sharing that with you all, showing direct sources, and trying our best to inform.
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This week, our team travelled to:
Halifax, Nottoway, Prince Edward, Rockbridge, Scott, Suffolk, and Sussex counties!
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Suffolk County Planning Commission
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Energy Right attended a Planning Commission meeting this week in Suffolk City where they were discussing a small-scale solar project. After much deliberation and feedback from the community, the Suffolk Planning Commission voted to approve the project and send it the City Council for further consideration. It was great to see the Planning Commission discuss the merits of this project and ensure that all citizens of the community are protected while also realizing the benefits of clean energy!
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Virginia to host world’s first fusion power plant
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Virginia is poised to host the world’s first nuclear fusion power plant, with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) announcing plans to build the groundbreaking facility in Chesterfield County. Projected to generate 400 megawatts of electricity by the early 2030s, this innovative plant uses fusion — a clean, sustainable energy process mimicking the sun — rather than fission, avoiding long-lived waste and meltdown risks.
Supported by state incentives and federal funding, the facility will operate independently in selling its power. CFS selected Virginia for its favorable regulatory environment. Local environmental groups cautiously welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a promising clean energy solution amid rising energy needs. Governor Youngkin underscored the project’s importance, framing it as a cornerstone of Virginia’s leadership in clean energy innovation.
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NEXT WEEK
We’ll be enjoying the holidays and hope you all will too—see you in the new year!
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Google and Apex Clean Energy have partnered to develop Virginia’s first onshore wind farm, Rocky Forge Wind, a 79.3 MW project that marks a milestone in the state’s renewable energy journey. Slated for operation in 2026, Rocky Forge will support Google’s 24/7 carbon-free energy goals, decarbonizing its Virginia data centers while delivering significant economic benefits, including $30 million in local tax revenue and up to 250 construction jobs. This collaboration highlights wind energy’s role in complementing solar power and advancing clean energy across the region.
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