Abstract
This paper focuses on the legal, environmental, land use, and policy issues associated with developing solar energy projects in Virginia, with a particular focus on large-scale installations in rural areas. Part II discusses state laws, regulations, and recent legislative actions that relate to solar development, including the Virginia Stormwater Management Act and Erosion and Sediment Control Law. Part III reviews local strategies for managing solar development, including comprehensive plans, ordinances, siting agreements, and conditional use permits. Part IV addresses the challenges localities may face when balancing land preservation and Virginia’s ambitious clean energy goals. Finally, Part V provides recommendations for consideration by Virginia’s lawmakers, regulators, and localities as the state continues to expand its solar energy generation capacity.
This abstract has been taken from the authors' introduction.
Document Type
Renewable Energy
Publication Date
Summer 2022
Repository Citation
Kameli, Reza and Shen, Sun, "Developing Solar Energy in Rural Virginia: An Analysis of Legal, Environmental, and Policy Issues" (2022). Virginia Coastal Policy Center. 80.
https://scholarship.law.wm.edu/vcpclinic/80