Gov. Spanberger’s recently announced energy plan has sparked conversations across the commonwealth in boardrooms and among talking heads in Richmond. However, one portion of the plan that has drawn particular attention is how much land could be used for solar development. While the plan presents a range of possible scenarios, the high end calls for as much as 277,000 acres of solar development, a figure that has understandably prompted questions about how Virginia will balance its growing energy needs with protecting its farmland and forests.
That said, it’s important to recognize the energy plan is simply that: a plan. A plan that maps out Virginia’s potential energy future for the next decade, required by law to be produced every four years. We saw this plan released under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin, which included a plan for an SMR to be operational over the decade of 2022-2032, a target that likely will not be met. The release of energy plans in general is a good idea in theory, but doesn’t quite fit for Virginia, as it would require immense coordination between governors every four years to actually keep Virginia on track with the past governor’s goals. Spanberger’s release and the total acres being forecasted to reach net-zero goals by 2050 would require coordination of six different administrations.
It ultimately begs the question: will Spanberger’s energy plan, and 277,000 acres of land, actually be used for solar development in Virginia? The answer is probably not, and, for more reasons than one, we don’t think it should. Obviously, this would require vast agreement over the years, but the plan also ignores potential technological advancements — solar panels becoming more efficient, batteries being able to store more power in less space — and loses focus on an all-of-the-above energy mix. However, recognizing that the commonwealth will likely need more solar and that it’s the most cost-efficient and quickest generation source to build, I thought it might be interesting, for the sake of the argument, to consider what it would look like if Virginia actually used 277,000 acres for solar.
That number can seem overwhelming, but diving a bit deeper gives much-needed context. These acres represent about 1.5% of Virginia’s existing farmland and less than 1% of Virginia’s forestland, which would be quite the jump considering that utility-scale solar occupies just 0.07% of all U.S. farmland and just 0.23% of Virginia’s prime farmland. I don’t say this to undermine the importance of protecting agricultural land, forests and the character of our rural communities, but it showcases a different perspective. Virginia does not need to choose between covering its natural beauty in solar arrays and forgoing new energy development; with well-researched siting and strong ordinances, there is plenty of room to meet in the middle.
The land-use discussion deserves to be heard, but doesn’t fully acknowledge that the acreage in the energy plan is a proposal, not the end-all-be-all. It does not automatically approve individual projects or eliminate the local review processes that help determine where development is appropriate. Communities will have opportunities to raise legitimate concerns about setbacks, screening, environmental impacts, agricultural preservation and compatibility with surrounding land uses, and county leaders will still ultimately have the final say in land use decisions. Prime farmland and forests should be considered thoughtfully, and responsible siting practices can help reduce conflicts while allowing projects to move forward in suitable locations.
One piece of this conversation that is missing from discussions is recognition of the property rights of landowners who choose to participate in energy development. Utility-scale solar projects, especially in Virginia, are built through voluntary agreements between private landowners and private energy companies. A farmer or other property owner may decide that leasing a portion of their land for a solar project makes economic sense for their family, their business or the long-term management of their property. This is not the state obtaining 277,000 acres through eminent domain, but rather a private transaction between landowners and energy developers. For or against solar energy, should the government be telling private landowners what they can and cannot do with their land?
Property rights are not simply about protecting landowners from outside sources or government overreach, but about giving landowners the opportunity to decide how to use their property within the law. In that same regard, it isn’t uncommon for farmers to weigh different opportunities to diversify their land and plan for the future, and for some, a solar lease is a way to diversify and provide consistent income that helps sustain a family farm. For others, solar may not be the right choice, but both decisions deserve respect. Local governments can and should set clear standards that address legitimate community concerns, but those standards should not unnecessarily prevent private property owners from willingly entering into lawful private agreements.
Simply put: projects should be evaluated on their individual merits, and landowners’ decisions exist alongside the rights and interests of their neighbors. The goal should be to establish a structured, predictable process that protects communities while preserving landowners’ and energy developers’ ability to negotiate agreements and invest in Virginia’s energy future.
While this proposed plan does appear like a massive jump in solar generation across Virginia, it isn’t the biggest surprise. Virginia needs additional electricity generation, period. Electricity demand continues to rise in the commonwealth, and we remain more dependent on imported electricity than any other state in the United States — it’s clear that in-state generation is crucial to meeting that demand, strengthening energy security and helping reduce costs for consumers. Solar is not the only answer, nor can it meet every need on its own. But it is one of the quickest and most cost-effective options for adding new electricity supply, especially when paired with battery storage and supported by other dispatchable generation.
The commonwealth should prioritize suitable sites, responsible development, meaningful local review and, importantly, respect property owners’ choices. Virginia will continue working to meet growing electricity demand, and the Spanberger Energy Plan will remain active for the next three years. During that time, we should be asking these questions about how much land solar might use, but we should also be asking whether we can build the energy infrastructure we need while respecting the people who own the land and the communities where these projects may be located. Those goals are not mutually exclusive, and a balanced energy future has to make room for both.
Jack Wilson is director of communications at Energy Right, a non-profit focused on education.
