Virginia Governor Signs Bills Expanding Shared Solar Access

Governor Glenn Youngkin signed legislation, patronized by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and Delegate Rip Sullivan, to improve shared solar access in Dominion Energy territories and create a shared solar program for customers in southwest Virginia. This marked a significant step forward in the state’s energy landscape.

At a glance

• Governor Glenn Youngkin signed SB 253/HB 106 and SB 255/HB 108 to improve and expand shared solar access in Dominion Energy territories.
• The legislation, patronized by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and Delegate Rip Sullivan, will significantly impact the state’s energy landscape.
• The bills will add up to 150 MW to Dominion Energy’s shared solar program and create a 50 MW shared solar program for Appalachian Power Company.
• The legislation requires calculating the minimum bill for each utility to consider shared solar benefits to the electric grid and the state.
• Efforts of leaders like Majority Leader Scott Surovell and Delegate Rip Sullivan, supported by Governor Youngkin, have led to this achievement in line with the Youngkin Administration’s 2022 Virginia Energy Plan.

The details

Governor Glenn Youngkin recently signed two bills, SB 253/HB 106 and SB 255/HB 108, to improve and expand shared solar access in Dominion Energy territories and create a shared solar program for customers in southwest Virginia.

The legislation, patronized by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and Delegate Rip Sullivan, is expected to impact the state’s energy landscape significantly.

These bills will allow for the addition of up to 150 MW to Dominion Energy’s shared solar program and the creation of a 50 MW shared solar program for Appalachian Power Company.

Key Aspect of the Legislation

One key aspect of the legislation is that it requires considering the benefits of shared solar to the electric grid and the state when calculating the minimum bill for each utility.

While the bills are seen as less ambitious than originally envisioned by industry stakeholders, they are viewed as a significant compromise and incremental progress for shared solar in Virginia.

Efforts of Leaders

Majority Leader Scott Surovell has been actively involved in developing a shared solar program in Virginia since 2020, while Delegate Rip Sullivan played a key role in driving the legislation’s passage.

Their efforts, along with the support of Governor Youngkin, have culminated in this achievement, which is in line with the Youngkin Administration’s 2022 Virginia Energy Plan.

The Virginia Energy Plan, which includes recommendations on additional energy sources for electricity customers to choose from, emphasizes the need to remove barriers to distributed generation, including shared solar.

This legislative milestone represents a step forward in Virginia’s efforts to expand renewable energy options and promote a more sustainable energy future for the state.

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