Virginia bill could stir more small solar energy

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) — Virginia could see new incentives for participating in small solar projects.

A piece of legislation made it through the General Assembly targeted towards increasing solar energy in places such as rooftops of homes and schools, or small property.

The bill expands the amount of clean energy under Virginia law that can go into these types of projects.

It does so by increasing the carve out of small solar in Dominion Energy’s renewable portfolio requirement from 1% to 5%.

It would also give the power to the State Corporation Commission to alter that number later on.

The bill is co-sponsored by Virginia Democrats Delegate Katrina Callsen and Senator Schuyler VanValkenberg.

“We say we want to move into more clean energy, the only way you can do that is by building clean energy,” Senator VanValkenberg said. “The second reason is we actually are having increased loan, right, our grid is being used more, so we have more energy demand.”

The bill is now awaiting Governor Glenn Youngkin’s signature.

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