Virginia 2026 Energy Legislation

awarded

The 2026 Virginia General Assembly passed legislation focused on solar energy, energy storage, shared solar, and agrivoltaics. The legislation provides a framework for local governments to evaluate and approve energy projects with a balance of structure and flexibility, emphasizing local decision-making authority. Key bills include provisions for Battery Energy Storage Systems as accessory uses to solar projects, solar ordinance standards for setbacks and decommissioning, and the development of model ordinances for energy storage aligned with national safety standards.