Utility Scale Solar

Solar installations fall into two categories: utility-scale solar where the power is fed directly into the grid (sometimes called industrial-scale), and distributed solar where the energy is used on the home, farm, business or school where it is generated (sometimes called behind-the-meter).

Across our service area, localities are considering special use permit applications for several utility-scale projects.

In response, the Alliance has created a set of considerations and best-practices to help Valley localities think through potential issues and develop their local response to project proposals. These utility-scale solar guidelines are the product of our outreach to other localities in the state that have experienced the permitting, construction, and maintenance phases of these projects as well as consideration of our local land uses and resources. (Download a copy for your local staff and electeds.)

The Alliance recommends proposals be designed to:

Protect clean water.

Effective erosion control and stormwater management during construction and during the life of the project is key to protecting groundwater and local streams.

Minimize impacts to farm soils.

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.

Avoid historic, cultural and scenic resources.

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.

Return sites to pre-construction condition.

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).

Consider lasting infrastructure impacts.

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.

Support continued agriculture or wildlife habitat.

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.

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.

County	Location	Acreage	Size (MW)	Status	Developer
Augusta	Lyndhurst and Stuarts Draft	1000 acres of panels (on 2600 acres)	125	Motion to deny the SUP passed 4-3 on May 22, 2019	Community Energy Solar
Augusta	Greater Stuarts Draft area	560 acres of panels (on 880 acres)	83	Planning Commission voted 4-3 against the project on January 12, 2020	Round Hill Solar LLC & Strata Solar
Frederick	West of Stephens City	370 acres of panels (on 668.5 acres)	75	Board of Supervisors unanimously approved CUP on July 8th, 2020	Urban Grid & Foxglove Solar LLC
Frederick	Southwest of Stephens City	705 acres of panels (on 1605 acres)	80 – 130	Board of Supervisors unanimously approved CUP on September 23, 2020	Bartonsville Energy Facility (TCE Virginia Development)
Harrisonburg	Northeast Corner of N Liberty Street & Acorn Dr	10 acres	1.4	Council announced intention to allow purchase of land in August 2020	Harrisonburg Electric Commission (HEC)
Page	South of Stanley	340	20	Motion to approve the SUP passed 4-2 on April 2, 2019	Urban Grid
Page	North of Luray	560	100	Motion to approve the SUP failed 3-3 on April 2, 2019	Urban Grid/Cape Solar
Rockingham	South of New Market, near Endless Caverns	355 acres next to a substation	31.4	First request for SUP denied by Supervisors on Sept 14, 2018 Second request for SUP withdrawn by applicant in March 2020 Third request for SUP tabled by Board of Supervisors in September 2020	Caden Energix LLC
Shenandoah, Town of Mount Jackson, Phase 1	South of Mount Jackson, property was annexed by the town in 2016	160	15	Town Council approved SUP in 2017; construction delayed due to permitting issues, set to start in 2020	Cypress Creek Renewables
Shenandoah, Town of Mount Jackson, Phase 2	South of Mount Jackson, property was annexed by the town in 2016	175	18.9	Town Council approved SUP in October 2018	Cypress Creek Renewables
Shenandoah, Town of Mount Jackson, Phase 3	South of Mount Jackson, property was annexed by the town in 2016	145	16.2	Town Council approved SUP in October 2018	Cypress Creek Renewables
Shenandoah	Edinburg	200	20-50	Request for SUP tabled by Planning Commission on March 7, 2019	Shenandoah Solar
Warren (Town of Front Royal)	West of Marys Shady Lane, South of I-66	75-125 acres of panels (on 179 acres)	unavailable	Special Use Permit Application filed June 8, 2020	Front Royal Limited Partnership

Resources

Related News

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We commend Augusta County for the time and effort put into making sure solar projects in the county are well-sited and successful and that valuable natural resources and the quality of life of our communities are included in local planning efforts.