**Virginia’s Push Toward Streamlined Solar Development: What It Could Mean for Homeowners and the Industry**
The solar industry in Virginia is preparing for significant changes with the latest draft recommendation aimed at simplifying the permitting and development process for large solar and storage projects. This proposal could not only benefit solar companies but also individuals looking to adopt solar panels for their homes by creating a more structured and consistent clean energy framework across the state.
Let me break down what this means and how homeowners, solar companies, and the state as a whole could benefit from these changes.
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### **The Vision: A Better Permitting and Siting Process**
Currently, permitting and siting larger solar installations in Virginia can be a complex process, varying from locality to locality. The draft recommendation proposes establishing a Virginia advisory board to bring consistency and predictability to this process by regularizing permitting for major solar arrays and energy storage sites.
The proposed advisory board would assess if a project is of “critical statewide significance,” focusing on projects larger than 20 MW located near key interconnection points. If a solar company’s project is denied at the local level, the company might have the option to appeal to the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Centralizing these decisions could
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/12/03/a-virginia-proposal-would-give-the-state-a-role-in-siting-solar-and-storage-over-20-mw/
