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Virginia Administrative Code
Title 9. Environment
Agency 15. Department of Environmental Quality
Chapter 60. Small Renewable Energy Projects (Solar) Permit by Rule
6/6/2025

9VAC15-60-130. Small solar energy projects less than or equal to five megawatts or less than or equal to 10 acres or meeting certain categorical criteria.

A. The owner or operator of a small solar energy project is not required to submit any notification or certification to the department if he meets at least one of the following criteria:

1. The small solar energy project has either a rated capacity equal to or less than 500 kilowatts or a disturbance zone equal to or less than two acres; or

2. The small solar project falls within at least one of the following categories, without regard to the rated capacity or the disturbance zone of the project:

a. The small solar energy project is mounted on a single-family or duplex private residence.

b. The small solar energy project is mounted on one or more buildings less than 50 years old or, if 50 years of age or older, have been evaluated and determined by DHR within the preceding seven years to be not VLR-eligible.

c. The small solar energy project is mounted over one or more existing parking lots, existing roads, or other previously disturbed areas and any impacts to undisturbed areas do not exceed an additional two acres.

d. The small solar energy project utilizes integrated PV only, provided that the building or structure on which the integrated PV materials are used is less than 50 years old or, if 50 years of age or older, has been evaluated and determined by DHR within the preceding seven years to be not VLR-eligible.

B. The owner or operator of a small solar energy project with either a rated capacity greater than 500 kilowatts and less than or equal to five megawatts or a disturbance zone greater than two acres and less than or equal to 10 acres shall notify the department and shall submit a certification by the governing body of the locality or localities wherein the project will be located that the project complies with all applicable land use ordinances.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1197.6 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 28, Issue 21, eff. July 18, 2012.

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