Solar Has a Local Problem
The proposed solar array on the First United Methodist Church in downtown Charlottesville promised an annual energy savings of $11,000 per year. The Church was also eager to take advantage of new federal tax credits offered by the Inflation Reduction Act. With the promise of federal support, they rallied their congregation and secured a private donation to support the project. It seemed like another project with a solar green light until they hit a roadblock — the Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review (BAR).
The Church is located in a historical architectural district in the City of Charlottesville. Their plans to remove original slate roof tiles to install solar panels bump up against local code last updated 20 years ago. A few things have changed in the subsequent two decades since the code’s adoption, including a rapidly escalating climate crisis and the City’s own commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
It is worth noting that the BAR was nearly split on project approval but ultimately voted 4-3 to reject the application for solar. Now it is up to Charlottesville’s City Council to determine whether or not to override the BAR rejection. That might be a fine solution if this were an isolated case. The reality is that solar projects routinely confront out-of-date local code restrictions which can derail projects and hinder opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save money.
Neighboring Albemarle County’s code for Entrance Corridors, last updated in 2011, requires solar projects on existing buildings to be screened from view. What’s an Entrance Corridor? They are identified access points to the County for tourists which have the opportunity to reflect local values. Route 29, Interstate 64, Route 250, Rio Road, and many others are classified as Entrance Corridors. The County’s current code implies that modern solar panels might somehow tarnish the look and feel of 29 North’s economic sprawl — a perspective that is grossly out of date.
Solar’s local problem isn’t just restricted to Central Virginia. A quick Google search will deliver scores of news stories of solar projects being denied by local planning commissions, city councils, and boards of supervisors. Most local codes haven’t been updated for a decade or more. During this time solar technology has advanced tremendously as a cost-effective and visually appealing solution for rising energy costs and a growing climate crisis.
Virginia’s General Assembly passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act in 2020. The United States Congress passed major climate legislation in 2022 with the Inflation Reduction Act. Now it is time for our local governments to get on board. Charlottesville and Albemarle County should lead the way by updating their local codes to accelerate the adoption of rooftop solar in Virginia. Both entities are currently undergoing zoning and code revision. In doing so, let’s make sure we remove unnecessary and outdated barriers to rooftop solar and other net-zero-enabling technologies. The climate can’t wait, and our local businesses, schools, and churches like First United Methodist shouldn’t have to either.
Susan Kruse is the Executive Director of the Community Climate Collaborative and the current chair of Virginia’s Clean Energy Advisory Board. A shortened version of Susan Kruse’s Letter to the Editor appeared in the Daily Progress on January 31, 2023.