As the largest geographic locality in the state of Virginia with close to 1,000 square miles, Pittsylvania County has caught the attention of utility-scale solar developers. To protect its citizens and landowners, Pittsylvania County has adopted a comprehensive ordinance governing utility-scale solar development (begins on page 65).

Utility-scale solar projects are required to receive approval from several agencies before they can be completed. All parcels included in the project must be zoned A-1, M-1, or M-2.

A developer must initiate negotiations with Pittsylvania County for a siting agreement, as authorized the Code of Virginia, before beginning the rezoning or a special use permit can occur. Once a siting agreement has been approved, a Special Use Permit must be issued by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Here is a summary of the solar projects that have received a special use permit in Pittsylvania County.

Once a Special Use Permit has been issued for the project, it must then be approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality if the project will produce more than five megawatts of energy. Once a project receives approval from the State, all required plans, including Building and Site Plans, Erosion and Sediment Control Plans, Stormwater Plans, etc., must be reviewed and the appropriate permits issued before construction can begin.

Pittsylvania County retains a third-party Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector for all solar projects. Based on the solar ordinance, which was adjusted in June of 2022, all costs incurred by 
these inspections will be paid for by the developer. 

While the development is happening fast and involves hundreds of permitted acres of solar panels, four of the eighteen locally permitted solar projects are active. Four, including a large facility in Climax, are under construction or have received building permits. Many projects that have been approved locally have not yet received state-level permits from organizations like the Department of Environmental Quality.

Developing Solar in Pittsylvania County

Pittsylvania County has the space to host solar projects and the regulatory environment to protect all involved parties, including our residential landowners.

For any utility-scale solar project to be permitted, it must meet the following criteria:

• Land zoned M-1, Industrial District, Light Industry and the M-2, Industrial District, Heavy Industry, or A-1 Agricultural District.
• Located no more than two miles from an existing electric transmission line
• Located at least one mile from any other utility scale solar energy facility

To receive local approval, utility scale solar projects must receive a special use permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals. As a part of this special use permit, the Board of Zoning Appeals can apply conditions that the project must adhere to in order to be permitted. Some of the default conditions that are imposed on all solar projects include things like:

• A decommissioning bond to cover expenses
• Landscape buffers to mitigate visual impact
• Setbacks to ensure proper distance from adjacent properties
• Fencing for public protection

Any company that is interested in utility-scale solar development should contact the Pittsylvania County Community Development Department at 434-432-7750 or email Director Emily Ragsdale.

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