Solar permitting — Mecklenburg County, Virginia
On file: public meetings, local news, known opposition groups.
Board of Supervisors voted unanimously April 14 2025 to REMOVE utility-scale solar as a permitted use (revised Article 20); all-Republican board (Fisher, Graham, Massengill, McGhee, Clanton). NOTE: Virginia HB 711/SB 347 (eff. July 1, 2…
Key driver: Article 20 (Apr 2025) removes utility-scale as permitted use — functional ban. CRITICAL: HB 711/SB 347 — if signed, Mecklenburg's ban becomes illegal and must be repealed or amended to allow SE applications. Risk trajectory shifts from Worsening toward Stable once legislation signed, but board hostility remains; denials via SE process still possible.
Permitting process
Local permitting pathway
Utility-scale solar removed (no longer allowed as new land use); small/medium-scale allowed with limits in specified districts.
Setbacks & buffers
150 ft from property lines
Spacing requirements
Ordinance amendment packet references distance controls relative to other solar facilities (applied to remaining categories).
Size restrictions
Utility-scale removed; remaining categories include acreage limits (see amendment packet).
Penalties & bonding
Total penalty: +5 (Denial +5)
State-level permits & approvals
Local permit: Special Use Permit (SUP) or Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in A-1 Agricultural zoning; issued by Board of Supervisors (BOS) or Planning Commission per county ordinance. Counties without zoning (Buchanan, Russell, Lee, Scott, etc.) proceed via revenue-sharing siting agreements. SCC CPCN: Va. Code §56-580 (as amended by HB 1558/SB 762, eff. Jul 2021) — SCC Certificate of Public Convenience & Necessity required for generating facilities ≥5 MW; waivable for utility-owned projects under SCC-approved IRP. DEQ Permit by Rule (PBR): Required for all solar facilities ≥1 MW per Va. Code §10.1-1197.6; includes VSMP/VPDES erosion & stormwater permits. Mar 2022 DEQ rule: solar panels counted as impervious surface same as parking lots. Revenue sharing: Va. Code §15.2-2288.7 — localities may require up to $1,400/MW-year for utility-scale solar on agricultural or forestal land; increases 10% in year 1 then every 5 years thereafter. VDACS notice: VA Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services must be notified for projects converting prime agricultural or forestal land. PENDING LEGISLATION (as of Mar 11, 2026): HB 711 (Herring) / SB 347 (VanValkenburg) both cleared both chambers and await Gov. Spanberger's signature (session ends Mar 14, 2026). If signed: (1) all localities must allow solar ≥1 MW via special exception — outright bans illegal; (2) statewide setback floor: 150–200 ft non-participating dwellings, 50–100 ft from state roads, 100–250 ft from streams/wetlands, 50–75 ft from property lines; (3) localities retain denial authority but must report reasons to SCC public database; (4) companion HB 891/SB 443: BESS permitted accessory use on approved solar SE sites. Spanberger is pro-solar; signature expected. Monitor: lis.virginia.gov.
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State policy & grid context
State RPS & clean energy policy
100% carbon-free by 2050 (Dominion), 2045 (APCo) | Virginia Clean Economy Act (2020) | Va. Code §56-585.5
State incentive programs
Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA, 2020): Dominion must reach 100% carbon-free by 2045; Appalachian Power by 2050; major driver of utility-scale solar procurement. Net metering: available under VCEA for systems up to 1 MW (by-right); large-scale behind-the-meter negotiated. SCC SolarShare: Dominion program offering renewable energy credits. Virtual net metering (Virginia): programs vary by utility. DEQ review: required for solar facilities ≥150 MW (permit by rule) or DEQ standalone review. Utility: Dominion Energy Virginia serves 2/3 of VA; Appalachian Power (AEP) serves western VA; Northern Virginia Electric Coop (NOVEC) serves NoVA exurbs; various rural cooperatives and municipal utilities.
Grid & interconnection
PJM / Dominion Energy Virginia (DEV) transmission zone
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Battery storage (BESS) P1 State-Default Permitting
Standalone BESS (not co-located with approved solar): still requires county SE/SUP and host siting agreement
Local BESS ordinances & bylaws
County-level battery-storage status, safety requirements, and projects — each linked to a primary source.
Community opposition P1
Organized opposition signals on record for this county — petitions, community groups, and oppositional coverage — each linked to its primary source.
- Mecklenburg County blocks future large-scale solar development Solar
- Why it’s better to let counties review solar projects case-by-case • Virginia Mercury Solar
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Subscriber intel Subscribers
Researched for this county and available with a subscription:
- Project track record
- Developer intelligence
- Governing board
Energy-related meetings & dockets P1
Halo color matches the energy category tagged on each meeting.
- 2026-05-11 OtherData Center
The Board of Supervisors established a tax rate of $0.66 per $100 of assessed valuation for data center equipment in Mecklenburg County.
- 2026-02-09 County BoardBESS
WHEREAS, House Bill 711 and Senate Bill 347 are proposed legislation which place certain restrictions on local governments’ ability to impose maximum setback distances regarding solar facilities and determine for local governments where sai
- 2025-05-12 County BoardData Center
The Board of Supervisors established a tax rate of $0.66 per $100 of assessed valuation for data center equipment in Mecklenburg County.
- 2025-03-27 Planning CommissionSolar
Proposed amendments to Mecklenburg County Zoning Ordinance to remove utility-scale solar facilities as a permitted use
- 2023-09-11 County BoardSolar
Board of Supervisors discussed a financial agreement for the Finneywood Solar Project with Dominion Energy Virginia.
- 2023-05-08 County BoardSolar
The Planning Commission must review any proposed solar project to ensure it aligns with the County's Comprehensive Plan.
- 2021-07-12 County BoardSolar
Commercial solar permit applications will require a stated completion date and may incur additional fees for delays.
- OtherSolar
The Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors voted to deny a special-use permit application for a 150 MW solar farm proposed by Antlers Road Solar, LLC.
- Zoning BoardSolar
The Planning Commission voted to approve a special-use permit application for a 150 MW solar farm
- County BoardSolar
Planning Commission extended review of Antlers Road Solar Project
- Planning CommissionSolar
Mecklenburg County Planning Commission approved a public hearing for a solar project with no changes
- County BoardSolar
The Grasshopper Solar Project is complete, but concerns remain about run-off into Butcher's Creek.
- OtherSolar
4 13-5 Off-Street Lo ading Requirements 14 TOWERS AND ANT ENNAS 141 14-1 Definitions 14-2 Uses 14-3 Applicability 14-4 Guidelines and Requirements 14-5 Federal Requirements 14-6 Building Codes 14-7 Information Required 14-8 Factors for Spec
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State PSC dockets P1
No tracked activity yet — coverage expands weekly.
Local news P3
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