Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 02, 2020
Contact: Dave Neudeck, Communications and Marketing Director, 804-786-5053, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov
Virginia Encourages Development of Sustainable Solar Facilities
State launches program for certifying solar sites as pollinator-smart
RICHMOND — Solar developers in Virginia can earn high marks for being green by certifying their projects. Cople Elementary School in Westmoreland County is the first facility in Virginia to be gold certified under a new program that encourages pollinator-friendly solar development. Gold certification is the highest pollinator-smart designation available through the voluntary program.
The Virginia Pollinator-Smart Program, part of Gov. Ralph Northam’s initiative to encourage pollinator-smart solar development in the commonwealth, was developed with input from national experts, industry leaders and state agency environmental managers who are all committed to a rigorous, science-based process.
The innovative program, led by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), includes a series of recommendations and resources for solar energy developers to plan, build and monitor solar facilities that attract pollinators, lessen stormwater impacts and increase the visual appeal of the installations.
A key focus of the certification is the use of Virginia native plant species in solar developments. Expertly crafted mixes of native plants can transform a solar facility into habitat that supports pollinator and bird species, while enhancing facility economic efficiencies over the long term.
“Using native plants instead of non-native, often invasive, plant species benefits native insect populations and supports Virginia’s native seed and plant industry,” said Jason Bulluck, director of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program at DCR. “Over time, with growth in sourcing of native plant materials, development and restoration demands of other industry, beyond solar, stand to benefit as well,”
“Given the rapid growth of solar development, Virginia has a unique opportunity to slow declining populations of pollinators by encouraging the planting of pollinator-friendly, native species at solar power facilities,” DEQ Director David Paylor said. “By increasing the amount of native vegetation in Virginia, we protect water quality, increase the absorption of carbon dioxide, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve aesthetics and our quality of life.”
“The use of native plant species can reduce impacts caused from fragmented natural habitat or invasive non-native species, while also benefitting pollinator populations, thus making solar energy more environmentally responsible,” DCR Director Clyde Cristman said. “Research shows more ecosystem benefits, such as carbon sequestration, sedimentation and erosion reduction, provision of pollinator services, and wildlife habitat when native plant species are used.”
Cople Elementary School, working with Sun Tribe, developed a solar facility at the school that extended the environmental benefits beyond green energy. A variety of exclusively native plant species, including Black-eyed Susan, Partridge-pea and Wild Bergamot were planted under and around the array of solar panels at the school. The facility will also provide an educational opportunity for Cople Elementary School students and a research site for colleges and universities. The installation is now providing energy to offset the school’s power bill and carbon footprint.
“Sun Tribe is proud to have the first Gold-Certified Pollinator-Smart project in Virginia’s history, and to have worked closely with our partners at Westmoreland County Public Schools to create this important environmental and educational resource for students,” said Sun Tribe Solar CEO Devin Welch. “We hope other states will look to Virginia as a trailblazer in this effort and see projects like this one as evidence of what is possible when we put sustainable values at the heart of solar.”
“Nationwide, there is growing demand for innovative solar designs that are combined with additional environmental benefits,” said Rob Davis, director of the Center for Pollinators in Energy, located in Minnesota. “Virginia’s Pollinator-Smart Solar guidance and Sun Tribe’s successful project are both excellent examples of how forward-looking planning and innovation can address complex land use and environmental issues.”
More information and the certification application are available at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/pollinator-smart, or email pollinator.smart@dcr.virginia.gov.
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