My name is Robert Beaudette and I’m a solar developer for Commonwealth Power. We’re a commercial and industrial solar contractor based out of Richmond.
Working in the solar industry allows me to use the education I gained through the Virginia public school and university system to give back to my community. Solar enhances our economy, diversifies the energy market, and leads to cleaner air and water for us and our children. Every solar panel installed in Virginia means less coal ash in our James River.
The United States is already falling behind other countries due to regressive energy policies that slow our renewable energy deployment. It is critical that Virginia does not follow this trend and instead looks to states like Maryland, New Jersey, California, etc, and seek to be a leader in solar and renewable energy.
The growth of our industry depends on the fair market access for solar. The Virginia Energy Plan should expand job-creating incentives like net metering and the power purchase agreement pilot program. The arbitrary 1% capacity limit on net-metering will stifle the residential and commercial solar market if not raised. My job and many others depend on lawmakers to make that change.
Thank you.