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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.
  • Minimize impacts to farm soils.
  • Avoid historic, cultural and scenic resources.
  • Return sites to pre-construction condition.
  • Consider lasting infrastructure impacts.
  • Support continued agriculture or wildlife habitat.

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.

Projects Proposed in our Region

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, 2021

The project application has been withdrawn.

Round Hill Solar LLC & Strata Solar
Augusta Waynesboro 50 acres of panels (on 90 acres) 5 Board of Zoning Appeals approved Aug 5, 2021 Dynamic Energy Systems, LLC
Augusta Fishersville 12 acres of panels (on 50 acres) 3.88 Board of Zoning Appeals approved Aug 5, 2021 Augusta CSG
Augusta Stuarts Draft 45 acres of panels (on 80 acres) 3 Board of Zoning Appeals approved Nov 4, 2021 Wayne Avenue Solar I / Borrego Solar Systems, Inc.
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)
Frederick West of Gore 80 acres of panels (on 326 acres) 20 After Board of Supervisors March 2021 rejection and subsequent successful lawsuit by developer, Planning Commission approved CUP on December 1, 2021 Blue Ridge Energy Holdings LLC
Harrisonburg Northeast Corner of N Liberty Street & Acorn Dr 10 acres 1.4 In operation. Harrisonburg Electric Commission (HEC)
Page Near Stanley 340 acres 20 Motion to approve the SUP passed 4-2 on April 2, 2019 Urban Grid
Page North of Luray 560 acres 100 Motion to approve the SUP failed 3-3 on April 2, 2019

Planning Commission recommended denial of SUP resubmission in March 2022.

SUP withdrawn by developer August 2022.

Urban Grid/Cape Solar
Rockingham South of New Market, near Endless Caverns 149 acres 31.4 A revised third request for SUP was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Dec 8, 2021 Caden Energix LLC
Rockingham Elkton 27 acres 3 SUP approved by Board of Supervisors Dec 8, 2022 SolAmerica Energy
Rockingham Elkton 149 acres of panels (on 375 acres) 70 A revised SUP was approved by the Board of Supervisors on March 8, 2023 Knight Solar, LLC
Rockingham Elkton 19 acres of panels (on 36 acres) 3 SUP denied by Board of Supervisors February 8, 2023 Hexagon Energy
Rockingham Dayton 40 acres 3 SUP denied by Board of Supervisors on Feb 23, 2022 Dynamic Energy Systems, LLC
Rockingham North of Port Republic off of Route 340 150 acres of panels (on 564 acres) 50 SUP approved by Board of Supervisors on Nov, 16 2022 Sun Ridge Solar
Rockingham Mount Crawford 16 acres of panels (on 58 acres) 4.8 SUP denied by Board of Supervisors on Dec, 14 2022 Solar Star Mount Crawford 1, LLC
Rockingham South of New Market, near Endless Caverns 24 acres of battery storage (on 244 acres) 200 SUP approved by Board of Supervisors on Dec 14, 2022 Prospect Powers LLC
Rockingham Keezletown 24 acres of panels (on 41 acres) 5 SUP denied by Board of Supervisors on Dec 14, 2022 Mountain Valley Solar LLC
Shenandoah, Town of Mount Jackson, Phase 1 South of Mount Jackson, property was annexed by the town in 2016 160 acres 15 Town Council approved SUP in 2017; construction ongoing as of April 2021 Energix
Shenandoah, Town of Mount Jackson, Phase 2 South of Mount Jackson, property was annexed by the town in 2016 175 acres 18.9 Town Council approved SUP in October 2018 Energix
Shenandoah, Town of Mount Jackson, Phase 3 South of Mount Jackson, property was annexed by the town in 2016 145 acres 16.2 Town Council approved SUP in October 2018 Energix
Shenandoah, Town of Mount Jackson, Phase 4 South of Mount Jackson, property was annexed by the town in 2016 129 acres 30 Planning Commission will consider SUP in January 2022 Energix
Shenandoah Mount Jackson 32 acres 3.19 Request for SUP approved by Board of Supervisors Oct 27, 2020 Randolf Solar Partners, LLC
Shenandoah Edinburg 168 acres 45 Request for SUP tabled by Planning Commission on December 2, 2021 MSolar Industries
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

  • Alliance Utility-Scale Solar Ordinance Guidelines
  • Incorporating Solar into Agricultural Landscapes–Workshop for Farmers (Feb 2022)
  • Southern Environmental Law Center Solar Initiative Solar Policy Brief
  • Virginia Conservation Network_2019 Briefing Book Utility Scale Solar
  • NC Clean Energy Technology Center
  • The County Pulse Podcast – Virginia Association of Counties Podcast – Utility-Scale Solar Energy

 

Related News

Shenandoah Solar Ordinance Approved
May 08, 2023

We applaud Shenandoah County for approving a solar ordinance that successfully balances protection of agricultural lands while allowing opportunity for new energy development.

Shenandoah Solar Ordinance Update
Apr 03, 2023

The proposed ordinance includes many of the protective design standards for utility-scale solar development that the Alliance has advocated for

Urban Grid pulls the plug on Cape Solar
Aug 19, 2022

Congratulations to all those who worked hard against this project on the grounds of its size and wrong location.

Solar part of farm lifestyle for Liskey family
Jul 21, 2022

Perhaps the post on the Farm Choice Facebook page five years ago when the store went solar best summed it all up: “We have a new crop. We are harvesting solar energy.”

Page County Solar Ordinance Passed
Jun 29, 2022

After several years, multiple versions and many public comments, the Page County solar ordinance is approved!

Page County Solar Ordinance Joint Public Hearing
Jun 28, 2022

This will likely be the only opportunity to comment on this current, and hopefully final, version of an ordinance.

Solarize Shenandoah Information Session
May 23, 2022

If you’ve been considering solar, Solarize Shenandoah is a one-stop-shop to find out how you can incorporate solar on your property.

Page Planning Commission recommended DENIAL
Mar 21, 2022

A big thanks to all who spoke and submitted comments for the March 8 public hearing for the Cape Solar project north of Luray.

Cape Solar Public Hearing
Mar 04, 2022

Please attend the public hearing on Tuesday, March 8 and express support for the planning commission’s suggested conditions.

Incorporating Solar into Agricultural Landscapes – Workshop for Farmers
Feb 09, 2022

Attendees will learn about solar installation options and how solar can fit and complement existing agricultural operations.

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  • Kate Wofford, Executive Director
  • Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley
  • 9485 S Congress St • PO Box 674 • New Market, VA
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