Virginia Solar News
Flipping the Switch at VMM
Flipping the switch for the Solar Panels that we installed for the Virginia Mennonite Missions (VMM) office in Harrisonburg! Glad to partner with VMM, an important community organization, to help them cover their utilities and stabilize their electric rate with sustainable, alternative energy.
Check out drone shots of their solar system on VMM's YouTube!
Check out drone shots of their solar system on VMM's YouTube!
Green Hill Solar Sponsors Redwing Roots Music Festival
Green Hill Solar was glad to once again be a sponsor of the Redwing Roots Music Festival which took place at Natural Chimneys Campground June 21-23, 2024. In addition to sponsoring the festival, we provided a solar-powered generator for folks to recharge phones and devices while camping.
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Solar Summer
Eric and Jeremy had the opportunity to speak to some high-schoolers about solar in June a local "Solar Summer" event. Jeremy quizzed them about renewable energy in Virginia, while Eric discussed a previous solar project that we had done at Eastern Mennonite University and the impact it not only has had on them, but on the students that participated and pushed for it as well. It was a great time and we enjoyed getting to teach the next generation about renewable energy and solar systems!
Virginia Solar Summit 2024
Green Hill Solar recently attended the Virginia Solar Summit in Richmond, VA. There were people from all over the commonwealth representing all corners of the solar and renewables industry, including from local and state government, from utility companies, environmental consultants, agrivoltaic partners, technology partners, attorneys, and more.
One overarching issue presented throughout the summit was:
DID YOU KNOW? A Google search consumes the same amount of energy as running a 60W lightbulb for 17 seconds.
Several people from the Harrisonburg area were featured speakers!
There was a lot of discussion about agrivoltaics, which is the combination of solar energy production with agricultural and vegetation management practices. Argonne National Laboratory published a recent study showing that there are positive benefits between solar and the land that it's on. Various people presented on pollinator programs, sheep leasing, and grass seed mixtures, among other things, and how they can help agricultural land thrive while also being used to produce solar energy.
One final important topic that was covered is the new funding of the Solar For All program, to the tune of $156 million that was recently awarded to Virginia. The Virginia Energy Dept. is estimating that through these funds over 16,000 households will be able to get solar that were previously unable to; 1,200 new jobs will be created; there will be 100MW of rooftop and shared solar installed; and over $400 million in lifetime economic benefits for those involved. The state has applied for over $1 billion in funding, and this is the first portion to come Virginia's way, specifically targeted towards geographic and income-challenged areas, but there are likely more funds to come.
This was a great conference where a passion for innovation and dedication to renewable energy in Virginia was on full display!
One overarching issue presented throughout the summit was:
- The Virginia Dept. of Energy is predicting 5.6% year-on-year growth in energy usage for the commonwealth
- Virginia already currently purchases 5MW of energy each day to meet demands (that exceed our current ability to produce)
- The Dept. of Energy's goal is to completely de-carbonize the grid by 2035, but projected photovoltaic (solar) deployment is currently too slow to meet that deadline
- So, there was a rallying call to all in the industry to charge forward to meet the goal for clean energy in Virginia.
- Thankfully, there were also many reports given on efforts to do just that, and the entire renewable industry (not just solar) is actively engaging to help Virginia meet its goals.
DID YOU KNOW? A Google search consumes the same amount of energy as running a 60W lightbulb for 17 seconds.
- Expand this concept to include the increasing digitization of everything in our lives, as well as the rise of AI, and hence, the need for massive data centers that run AI engines - and this is a large part of what accounts for our ever-increasing energy needs.
- Renewable energy solutions can help Virginia (as a state), and Virginians individually, become more energy independent and resilient, even as energy demands increase.
Several people from the Harrisonburg area were featured speakers!
- Remy Pangle spoke about CASE (the Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Energy) at JMU, as well as the work she is doing with Repowering Schools.
- Abe Kaufman spoke about energy conservation and sustainability efforts happening on JMU's campus, primarily related to a solar system that was installed along with a pollinator field.
There was a lot of discussion about agrivoltaics, which is the combination of solar energy production with agricultural and vegetation management practices. Argonne National Laboratory published a recent study showing that there are positive benefits between solar and the land that it's on. Various people presented on pollinator programs, sheep leasing, and grass seed mixtures, among other things, and how they can help agricultural land thrive while also being used to produce solar energy.
One final important topic that was covered is the new funding of the Solar For All program, to the tune of $156 million that was recently awarded to Virginia. The Virginia Energy Dept. is estimating that through these funds over 16,000 households will be able to get solar that were previously unable to; 1,200 new jobs will be created; there will be 100MW of rooftop and shared solar installed; and over $400 million in lifetime economic benefits for those involved. The state has applied for over $1 billion in funding, and this is the first portion to come Virginia's way, specifically targeted towards geographic and income-challenged areas, but there are likely more funds to come.
This was a great conference where a passion for innovation and dedication to renewable energy in Virginia was on full display!
Advanced Metering coming from SVEC
SCEV is working on replacing all of their current meters with new, advanced, meters over the next few years. The new meters give the co-op a better capability to measure demand for electricity on the distribution system. The new meters will ideally help members be better informed when it comes to their electric consumption habits, and in turn help the co-op build a more robust and reliable system going forward. The new meters will also assist with outage response, and improve efficiency for the staff of SVEC.
They have more info, and a robust FAQ section HERE.
They have more info, and a robust FAQ section HERE.
2024 - Green Hill Solar joins the Manufactory Collective
Green Hill Solar and Beck Builders have moved into a new office space on Rt. 42 just south of the downtown area in Harrisonburg. The building was an old furniture warehouse that was remodeled by Nate and Debbie Irwin, owners of the Manufactory Collective, which is the new venture taking over the old space. "The Manufactory Collective is a space where makers, manufacturers, artisans, and entrepreneurs can gain access to assembly, storage, and production space, large and specialized equipment, and industry experts to help them scale up their businesses."
We are excited to be joining a great group of entrepreneurs, as well as finally having an office space where we can all gather together for the first time! The photos below show that we're still settling in, but Eric and Susan have been hard at work furnishing the space and making it functional.
F0r more info about the Manufactory Collective click here.
We are excited to be joining a great group of entrepreneurs, as well as finally having an office space where we can all gather together for the first time! The photos below show that we're still settling in, but Eric and Susan have been hard at work furnishing the space and making it functional.
F0r more info about the Manufactory Collective click here.
2021 - Central Valley Habitat for Humanity Shares Their Solar Energy Model Across the State
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On Friday, June 18 at 11 a.m., Central Valley Habitat for Humanity and Give Solar will present a one-hour workshop to staff members of Habitat for Humanity affiliates around Virginia. The workshop will address the benefits of solar energy for Habitat homeowners as well as the Solar Seed Fund model used by the local Habitat affiliate to make solar systems possible on their new builds.
After the workshop, local volunteers will participate in a solar barn-raising to install 24 solar panels on the roof of the Habitat duplex at 660 Virginia Ave. in Harrisonburg. Give Solar partners with Green Hill Solar, a Harrisonburg-based solar installation company, to install the systems on Habitat homes. Members of the media are invited to attend the solar barn-raising beginning at 12:30 p.m. |
2021 - Give Solar launches Solar Seed Fund for Central Valley Habitat for Humanity
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Green Hill Solar and Beck Builders are partnering with Give Solar, a Harrisonburg-based program of New Community Project, to install solar panels on Central Valley Habitat for Humanity homes. The Solar Seed Fund will make it possible to install 20 solar systems on Habitat homes in the next five years.
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2020 News in Brief:
Green Hill Solar completed over 20 new solar installations for home-owners and businesses in the Shenandoah Valley!
The end of 2020 also ushered in new legislation to extend solar tax credits between 22%-26% through 2023!
2021 continues to be an excellent time to install solar for your home or business.
The end of 2020 also ushered in new legislation to extend solar tax credits between 22%-26% through 2023!
2021 continues to be an excellent time to install solar for your home or business.
June 2019 - Volunteer-Led Solar Installation
June 2019: Green Hill Solar participates in projects to support local not-for-profits with solar installation.
Listen to radio interview with: WMRA All Things Considered.
Green Hill Solar employee Jonathan Lantz Trissel and volunteers place the 2nd of 82 panels.
Learn more about giving solar to not-for-profits at Give Solar.
Oct. 7, 2018 - Sustainable Energy Fair Sponsors
Green Hill Solar and Beck Builders were the proud sponsors of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Sustainable Energy Fair at James Madison University.
Sept. 22, 2018 - Student-led Solar Barn-Raising:
Eastern Mennonite University and developer Secure Futures contracted with Green Hill Solar to install solar for the successful student crowd-sourcing project.
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