New Report Details Major Economic Impacts of Solar

By |2020-02-20T11:46:02-05:00February 20th, 2020|Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

By Francis Hodsoll and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. 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

What Local Governments Need to Know about Sustainable Practices

By |2019-07-09T12:58:53-04:00July 9th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

by Francis Hodsoll and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. 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

Our State Legislature’s Role in a Clean Energy Future

By |2019-05-29T12:57:32-04:00May 29th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Land Use, Policy, Virginia Solar|

A Panel Presentation Recap from the 2019 Tom Tom Summit and Festival by Francis Hodsoll and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. 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

Best Practices for Utility-Scale Solar Decommissioning in Virginia Pt. 2

By |2019-04-25T11:56:12-04:00April 25th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Land Use, Policy, Virginia Solar|

by Lea Maamari and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. On March 27, SolUnesco president Jon Hillis presented at the 2019 Environment Virginia Symposium. Speaking to other industry and environmental leaders, Jon covered the evolving nature of Virginia counties’ requirements imposed on solar electric generation facilities as part of their permitting process.  Jon generally focused on the decommissioning requirements placed by the counties on these solar facilities.  For the past year, SolUnesco has conducted research and published reports on  Virginia’s decommissioning requirements across all ninety-five counties (Review of Counties

The Unified Future of Clean Energy

By |2019-04-25T10:44:44-04:00March 28th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Land Use, Policy, Virginia Solar|

By Francis Hodsoll, Lea Maamari and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. 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

Solar Industry’s Richmond Legislative Meet and Greet

By |2018-03-01T23:11:37-05:00February 5th, 2018|Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

February 5th, 2018 By SolUnesco 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

Gillespie, Like Many VA GOP, Supports All Energy Forms

By |2018-06-21T11:36:57-04:00July 13th, 2017|Policy, Virginia Solar|

Under Governor Terry McAuliffe, Virginia has seen a rapid growth of its renewable energy market, particularly with solar energy development. With the upcoming gubernatorial election, it has been unclear how much support renewable growth will continue to receive from Richmond; While Democratic candidate Ralph Northam is committed to the status quo set up by McAuliffe, Republican Ed Gillespie has been silent on renewables – his campaign site only touts a desire to work with the White House in promoting the use of fossil

The Latest Buzz: Solar Farms as Pollinator Sanctuaries

By |2018-08-10T10:52:04-04:00April 26th, 2017|Industry, Policy|

Overview Pollinators, such as honeybees and butterflies, are the unsung heroes of agriculture. However, their populations have been collapsing in recent years, creating a crisis for farmers who depend on them. Solar developers have started creating habitat sanctuaries to help reverse this trend.

The Composite Index, Problem Solved!

By |2018-06-08T10:38:04-04:00April 18th, 2017|Company Update, Policy, Virginia Solar|

We have good news!  On April 6th Virginia’s Tax Commissioner, Craig M. Burns, issued a letter clarifying the valuation of solar projects within the Composite Index. The bottom line: these solar farms will provide a net revenue benefit to the county.  As previously stated, bureaucratic bookkeeping could have inadvertently ground Virginia solar development to a halt by reducing county revenue when new solar farms are built. The following is the third of three installments highlighting SolUnesco’s research on the Virginia

The Composite Index and How it Relates to Solar Development in Virginia, Part One:

By |2018-08-10T12:14:00-04:00March 29th, 2017|Company Update, Policy, Virginia Solar|

Bureaucratic bookkeeping may inadvertently grind Virginia solar development to a halt.  The state government is assessing this issue and we understand a decision will be issued in due course.  This is the first of three installments highlighting SolUnesco’s research on the Virginia Composite Index and its impact on solar electric generation. To download our complete findings, click here.

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