As a private citizen organizer of the Richmond Solar Co-op, I am advocating that Virginia's 2018 Energy Plan includes rooftop distributed solar as an essential element. A single Internet post on Nextdoor in Richmond's North Side generated well over 120 individuals expressing interest in rooftop solar.  More than 70 homeowners  joined the solar co-op to further evaluate their home’s solar potential.  Solar co-op's all over Virginia have enabled 700 installations on private citizens homes thus far.

Rooftop solar creates resilient and local energy in our communities and increases well paying local jobs.  84% of Virginia's solar jobs are in the rooftop distributed solar sector according to The Solar Foundation. The expansion of rooftop solar and its associated jobs depends on fair market access and incentives like net metering and third-party ownership. It is hindered by utility- imposed standby charges, arbitrary limits on net metering and system size limitations. To create jobs, Virginia needs to expand net metering, third-party ownership and eliminate unnecessary barriers to customer owned solar.

Virginia citizens are asking our government to support our efforts to go solar on our homes, farms and businesses. We are requesting legislation that helps increase individual solar energy projects and associated jobs.  Make plans for renewable energy to grow significantly in Virginia.