Goochland County
Goochland County, Virginia: solar permitting grade C (score 46/100, Elevated Risk). Score has been stable over the last 12 months. Primary-source ordinance and board-vote data on SitePath.
Public summary
| Grade | C · Elevated Risk · Score 46/100 |
| Population | 25,738 |
| Solar ordinance | Active, restrictive solar ordinance |
| Active moratorium | None on record |
| Regulatory trajectory | Stable (no material ordinance movement) |
| 12-month score movement | Stable |
| Last verified | 2026-05-02 |
Developer outlook
Goochland County carries elevated permitting risk. Developers should budget additional time for ordinance review, public hearing preparation, and community engagement. Virginia's state RPS policy provides a supportive macro backdrop for renewables, even where individual county ordinances are restrictive. Market saturation is elevated in this area — expect competition for prime land parcels and interconnection capacity.
Local intel
On file: energy-related meetings · named opposition groups
- 2026-05-11Data CenterData center project proposed for TOD West area · agenda
- SolarSolar energy panel or structure Sec. 15-290 Place of public assembly and use open to the public A. · agenda
- Transmission15-287 P Utility – gas transmission line, compressor station, measurement station, regulator station CUP Utility distribution facility, public , and all… · agenda
Nearby counties
- Powhatan County · ≈12 miB40—
- Louisa County · ≈17 miF70—
- Fluvanna County · ≈22 miD52—
- Hanover County · ≈23 miF69—
- Cumberland County · ≈23 miC51—
- Amelia County · ≈27 miC49—
Compare these counties side-by-side →
Goochland County ranks #74 of 133 ranked Virginia counties (1 = lowest permitting risk). Lowest-risk in Virginia: Charlottesville County (A · 23), Manassas Park County (A · 27), Falls Church County (A · 27). See all Virginia county grades →
Want the full record?
Setback distances, board vote histories, source documents, and ordinance amendments are available in the full county profile. The map is free; a walkthrough shows you the underlying record.
About this score
Every U.S. county is scored 0–100 on solar permitting risk (lower is friendlier to development). The grade is a weighted composite of compliance stringency, market saturation, regulatory trajectory, and data uncertainty. Every figure traces back to a primary government document. Read the full methodology →
Related reading
SitePath Intelligence is a research platform. Data verified as of 2026-05-02. Scores update on a quarterly review cycle.