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Happy Friday!
October 10, 2025
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This week, the Energy Right was in Halifax County for the Sunshine Tour where we learned more about the
solar project and agrivoltaics, including Jess Gray of Gray’s Lambscaping and Allison Wickham of Siller Pollinating Company. That’s clean energy, the Right Way!
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Sunshine Tour Kicks Off at Crystal Hill Solar in Halifax County
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Energy Right officially launched its Sunshine Tour this week under clear skies at the Crystal Hill Solar facility in Halifax County. This first stop welcomed planning commissioners and supervisors from nearby counties to see firsthand what a solar project looks like in operation—and the lasting value it brings to its host community.
The Crystal Hill project has been quietly producing clean energy for several years, all while coexisting with a thriving flock of sheep and a working apiary. Jess Gray of Gray’s Lambscaping shared how her sheep grazing operation supports land management at the site. Attendees also enjoyed a lunch-and-learn with Allison Wickham of Siller Pollinating Company, who
explained how her 10 on-site beehives support pollination for farms up to five miles away—creating ripple effects well beyond the project’s fence line.
The Sunshine Tour was created to give local and state leaders a rare, up-close look at real-world solar projects and the practical partnerships that make them work. It’s often hard for decision-makers to visit energy sites or speak directly with experts outside the boardroom. We wanted to change that.
A special thank-you goes to Urban Grid for opening their doors and to every local leader and industry partner who made the day a success. Together, we’re showing what responsible energy development really looks like—rooted in community, innovation, and long-term benefit.
If you are interested in attending or hosting a stop on the Sunshine Tour, please email skyler@energyrightus.org, and we will make it happen!
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Back on the Mic
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In the latest episode of the America First Energy Podcast, Ben Wilson is joined by Martina Arel, Director of Economic Development and Energy Research at Mangum Economics. They discuss the role of economic analysis in renewable energy projects, the benefits these projects bring to local communities, and Mangum’s individualized approach to each project. Later on, Ben is joined by Skyler to discuss the energy prices across the nation and give an update on the PJM interconnection.
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The Importance of Storage
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Across Virginia and the broader PJM region, energy storage is quickly becoming one of the most important tools for keeping the grid reliable and affordable. As electricity demand rises due to population growth, economic development, and energy-intensive industries, storage provides the flexibility to deliver power when it is needed most. A new report shows that PJM will need at least 16 gigawatts of storage by 2032 and 23 gigawatts by 2040 to maintain reliability.
Falling short could mean widespread load shedding during extreme weather and as much as a 38 percent increase in electricity costs by 2028.
Storage also strengthens the balance of our energy mix. It works hand in hand with natural gas and renewables, providing dependable, dispatchable power when the sun is not shining or demand spikes unexpectedly. For Virginia, that means storage will be a key part of meeting future energy needs while ensuring reliability for families and businesses across the Commonwealth.
Right now, hundreds of battery projects are waiting in PJM’s interconnection queue, representing billions in private investment and thousands of potential jobs. Unlocking that potential will take coordination among regulators, utilities, and communities, but the payoff is clear: a more stable, affordable, and forward-looking energy system that serves both Virginia and the broader region well into the future.
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Our team was in Chesapeake, Culpeper, Fluvanna, Halifax, King George, Lunenburg, and Russell counties!
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Tar, the Sheep Dog
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Even on a cloudy overcast day, the fields of this solar farm still see plenty of use—the sheep are
grazing and Tar is getting plenty of exercise keeping the herd together.
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NEXT WEEK
We’ll be in Brunswick, Franklin, Orange, Norfolk, and Wythe counties!
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A new report from the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA) finds that corporate clean energy
procurement—such as virtual power purchase agreements—significantly stabilizes renewable energy financing. Corporate buyers have driven over 100 GW of clean energy capacity in the past decade, reducing project financial distress by up to 52% in key U.S. energy markets, including PJM and ERCOT.
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