Guidelines for Solar and Wind Local Ordinances

August 11, 2023

Summary

In March 2011, the Virginia legislature enacted broad guidelines for local ordinances for solar and wind. The law states that any local ordinance related to the siting of solar or wind energy facilities must:

Be consistent with the Commonwealth Energy Policy (§ 67-102)
Provide reasonable criteria for wind and solar energy siting, protecting the locality while promoting wind and solar development
Establish reasonable requirements for noise limitations, buffer areas, set backs, and facility decommissioning

Program Overview

Implementing Sector:	State
Category:	Regulatory Policy
State:	Virginia
Incentive Type:	Solar/Wind Permitting Standards
Web Site:
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:	Solar Photovoltaics Wind (All) Wind (Small)

Authorities

Name:	Va. Code Â§ 67-103
Date Enacted:	03/28/2011
Effective Date:	03/28/2011

Name:	Va. Code Â§ 67-102
Date Enacted:	2006 (amended 2009)

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.