[WHRO Public Media] Virginia is Slowly Expanding Access to Community Solar

Given higher costs of living and inflation, energy affordability has been a top priority for Virginians. Community solar projects allow homeowners to benefit from solar power who cannot install individual solar panels on their own property. Between small rooftop solar installations and massive solar farms, community solar projects serve as a middle ground for many communities.

Virginia initially authorized community solar projects through legislation passed in 2020, but the implementation process took several years to formalize – in part over determining how to bill participating customers. Previously, the State Corporation Commission (SCC) had decided to have customers pay Dominion Energy (Dominion) $55 each month to use power from community solar – on top of the cost of electricity. But in 2024, state lawmakers redirected the SCC to restructure the payments so that $55 wasn’t an additional premium, but a cost floor for participating customers: so instead of paying an additional $55 on top of electricity costs, customers could reduce their monthly electricity costs down to $55 instead. State regulators agreed to the change, and Dominion has stated that they are complying with the change and are “all in” on solar energy.

Right now, Virginia’s solar industry is restricted from too much expansion. However, proposed legislation from Del. Sullivan this year (HB 807) would allow solar capacity to expand without prior authorization from the General Assembly. On Wednesday, February 4th, the bill passed the House of Delegates with unanimous support and now heads to the Senate for approval.

You can read the full article here for more details.