Policy Archives - SolUnesco

Clearing the Path for Solar: MAREC Action Highlights Opportunity for Policy Action in Virginia

By Lea Maamari|2025-05-21T11:19:38-04:00May 21st, 2025|Land Use, News, Policy|

The Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition (MAREC) Action shines a light on one of the most pressing barriers to Virginia’s clean energy future: inconsistent local solar siting regulations. According to the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center Solar Database, currently more than half of Virginia’s counties have either banned or significantly restricted utility-scale solar development. From strict acreage caps to conflicting land-use rules, many local governments have created a regulatory framework that makes it nearly impossible to implement new solar projects

Major Economic Impacts of Solar

By Lea Maamari|2025-06-20T16:35:23-04:00February 20th, 2020|Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Mangum Economic's New Report Richmond-based Mangum Economics has just released an in-depth analysis of the the fiscal impact of utility-scale solar facilities over projects’ 35-year lifetime. The detailed report examines factors driving solar development and how Virginia localities are impacted. The surge in solar interest is notably reflected in the rise in megawatt hours generated. According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, solar facilities across the U.S. increased from 0.9 million megawatt hours in 2008 to 63.8 million megawatt hours

Local Governments: What You Need to Know about Solar

By Lea Maamari|2025-06-20T15:50:59-04:00July 9th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

The Opportunity At the 2019 SolSmart Virginia Local Government Solar Procurement Meeting on June 17, Francis Hodsoll joined five other presenters for a workshop focused on learning, sharing, and discussing solar procurement opportunities for local governments. Topics included green tariffs, non-utility procurement options, the market dynamics and the drivers of solar generation’s extraordinary growth, and examples of successful local government procurement. In his presentation, Hodsoll spoke to local governments eager to learn about the Virginia solar energy market, opportunities to explore sustainable practices like procuring clean energy, and sustainable energy procurement options. The following

Our State Legislature’s Role in a Clean Energy Future

By Lea Maamari|2025-06-20T13:02:12-04:00May 29th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Land Use, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Tom Tom Summit and Festival This April, SolUnesco CEO, Francis Hodsoll, moderated and presented on a panel at the Tom Tom Summit and Festival in Charlottesville. This annual event brings together a diverse group of thought leaders to discuss a revitalized approach to civic life and community, and this year devoted an entire day to renewable energy. Hodsoll and three co-panelists, Chip Dicks, Will Reisinger, and Rachel Smucker, explored how Virginia legislators impact the adoption of clean energy technologies and

The Unified Future of Clean Energy

By Lea Maamari|2025-06-20T13:01:12-04:00March 28th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Land Use, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Where We Can All Agree Decarbonizing energy through solar and wind technologies, as well as harnessing geothermal, hydropower, and biomass power, moves us toward meeting American’s growing desire for zero emission, zero carbon energy. The question of how and whether these discreet clean energy industries can join forces or align interests has stirred efforts and prompted discussion among industry experts and stakeholders, including at the recent Clean Energy Leadership Institute (CELI) Conference this past October. In this article, we explore the possibilities of organized and unified efforts among clean energy providers, with some key insights from SolUnesco CEO Francis Hodsoll. Recognizing first that this has been an ongoing conversation among

Solar Industry’s Richmond Legislative Meet and Greet

Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar

Solar Industry’s Richmond Legislative Meet and Greet

By SolUMarketing|2025-06-18T15:22:51-04:00February 5th, 2018|Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Virginia Legislators Meet Solar Last Tuesday, the Solar Industry’s regional association (MD, DC, DE & VA Solar Energy Industry Association - MDV-SEIA) hosted a Meet and Greet at the Virginia Credit Union League in Richmond, VA. The event provided opportunities for Virginia legislators to get to know the local solar industry and learn more about solar energy legislation that we supported. The event highlighted several Bills which were the result of a two-year mediated process called the Rubin Solar Workgroup[1].

SolUnesco Talks Solar Policy and Growth in Virginia

By Francis Hodsoll|2025-06-18T14:24:44-04:00July 18th, 2016|Company Update, Policy, Virginia Solar|

On Wednesday. July 13th, 2016, we presented at the Virginia Association of Assessing Officers (VAAO) Property Assessment Conference (Click here to download presentation). The association and their conferences provide continuing education to the Virginia community of assessors. We believe that maintaining a healthy dialogue with the professionals who determine land values for the purpose of tax assessments serves the solar industry well. Francis Hodsoll, CEO, presented on policies driving national solar markets and their application to the Virginia framework. He

EPA’s 2015 Report on Climate Change

By SolUMarketing|2025-06-18T11:06:07-04:00July 1st, 2015|Industry, Policy|

Last week, the EPA recently released a report entitled: Climate Change in the United States: Benefit of Global Action, on June 22nd, 2015. This peer-reviewed report presents two different scenarios based on scientific reports and analysis: One scenario presents the economic, health and other socio-economic damage under the “business as usual” case. The other scenario presents the relative benefits resulting from global agreements to cut greenhouse gas emission and the resulting benefits.

Hodsoll: Cut carbon to boost Virginia’s economy

By SolUMarketing|2025-06-18T10:56:45-04:00April 15th, 2015|Policy, Virginia Solar|

This summer, we expect a final Clean Power Plan rule, the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s requirement that states reduce carbon pollution from electricity generation. The big question for Virginia: Is the regulation an anchor or an opportunity? A growing chorus of businesses sees economic opportunity for the commonwealth: a chance to foster long-term growth and drive prudent energy diversification. Yesterday, in advance of Governor McAuliffe’s meeting with the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginian-Pilot published an op-ed by VAEIC board president, Francis Hodsoll.