With increasing demand for renewable energy, we are seeing proposals for utility-scale solar developments in most of the localities in the Shenandoah Valley. Since 2019, Alliance staff and board have been working to get it right with solar in the Valley—we envision solar development that complements, not conflicts with, our agriculture and forestry economy.
Utility Scale Solar
The Alliance believes scaling up renewable energy can be a significant positive step statewide if properly implemented and can bring economic opportunities for businesses and landowners. Utility-scale proposals are more likely to be successful if they are thoughtfully designed and localities are prepared to thoroughly evaluate and consider the positive and negative impacts in their community.
There are two types of solar energy developments. Utility or large-scale solar generates power to be sold to a utility and fed into the power grid. Distributed solar is used on-site, such as for a business, farm or home. This latter type of solar installation helps meet localized demand and does not require major transmission upgrades.
The Alliance recommends proposals be designed to:
Effective erosion control and stormwater management during construction and during the life of the project is key to protecting groundwater and local streams.
Here in the Valley, we have some of the finest agricultural soils in the nation. When it’s not feasible for a solar installation to avoid prime agricultural soils, grading, compression and soil disturbance should be minimized so that a site can be used for farming again in the future.
In the wrong location, utility-scale solar installations could run counter to a locality’s pursuit of historic resource protection and tourism associated with historic and scenic assets.
Effective decommissioning provisions should be included in all utility-scale solar projects, ensuring that the land can be used for productive agriculture or other use after the life of the contract (generally 25-30 years).
Will a solar project require new or upgraded transmission lines or substations? The impacts of the new infrastructure should be assessed along with the impacts of the solar project. Local ordinances and comprehensive plans should also be consulted in order to ensure compatible development that is right for each community.
Some utility-scale solar projects allow for continued grazing (generally sheep) or hay in conjunction with the installation, and others use native or pollinator plants, contributing to the farm economy and minimizing the need for extensive herbicide application.
Resources
- Virginia Conservation Network – 2024 Briefing Book Utility Scale Solar (Published 2023)
- Rappahannock River Basin Commission – Stakeholder Perspectives on Utility-Scale Solar Facility Development and Key Considerations for Decision Makers (June 2023)
- Great Plains Institute – Best Practices: Photovoltaic Stormwater Management Research and Testing (Jan 2023)
- ICMA/APA – Solar@Scale: A Local Government Guidebook for Improving Large-Scale Solar Development Outcomes (Dec 2022)
- UVA Energy Transition Initiative – Decommissioning Utility-Scale Solar Facilities (August 2022)
- Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley – Incorporating Solar into Agricultural Landscapes: Workshop for Farmers (Feb 2022)
- Southern Environmental Law Center – Solar Initiative Solar Policy Brief (March 2017)
- NC Clean Energy Technology Center
- Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) Research on Data Center and Energy Demand
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