In 2019 the Virginia General Assembly passed HB 2741 establishing the Clean Energy Advisory Board (the “Board") as an advisory board in the executive branch of the state government. The stated purpose of the Board is to establish a program (the “Program") for disbursing loans or rebates for the installation of solar energy infrastructure that will benefit low-income and moderate-income households through the “Low-to-Moderate Income Solar Loan and Rebate Fund" (“LMI Solar Fund"). The enabling legislation requires the Board to prepare and submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual report for publication as a report document.

Since the passage of the Virginia Clean Economy Act, Virginia has been working to fundamentally transform the Commonwealth’s electricity generation and grid. The Board’s mission is to ensure that low-to-moderate income (“LMI") Virginians are not left behind in this energy transition.

This year the Board worked to create a program that will expand cost-effective solar energy opportunities to reduce energy costs and increase access to clean electricity for LMI communities across Virginia. The Board and staff from the Virginia Department of Energy (“Virginia Energy") continued its national and state program research, worked closely with the Clean Energy States Alliance to finalize the program design, issued an RFP to launch a pilot program to inform Virginia’s LMI solar program, participated in stakeholder meetings, and consulted Dominion Energy Virginia on its solar programs for low and moderate-income customers.

Increasing energy costs impact all customers, but low- and moderate-income customers experience the challenges of risings costs most acutely. Solar energy technology, paired with energy efficiency measures, has been proven to reduce electricity expenses while supporting clean energy goals. The Board is committed to launching a sustainable LMI Solar Fund to serve those who can benefit the greatest from solar installations. The Board hopes 2023 will bring additional opportunities to continue to expand its work.