VT Study - Virginia Utility Scale Solar Projects Locally Approved 2015-2022 - Permit documents.zip

This research documents permit conditions and time for local permit processes for 48 utility scale solar photovoltaic projects in Virginia approved between 2015 and January 2022. The report summarizes the permit conditions using 106 categories of interest to stakeholders. The primary finding is that projects included few conditions to obtain local benefits beyond standard compensation of funds provided to the locality per megawatt of the proposed project size. Quality of permits were not evaluated. Recommendations included at the need to provide educational resources to improve and accelerate siting of USS PV facilities in the Commonwealth. This study of local permit conditions was the first of its kind in Virginia.