Virginia Assembly backs bill establishing agrivoltaics definition, broadening renewable energy projects

A bill recently approved in the Virginia General Assembly, backed by State Del. John Chilton McAuliff, seeks to define agrivoltaics, revise criteria for small renewable energy projects, and guide state regulation through a new stakeholder advisory panel, the Virginia State House reports.

The measure cleared both legislative chambers and, as of March 6, 2026, had been formally enrolled, passing in the House by 66-30 and in the Senate by 28-12.

Labeled HB508 and introduced during the regular session that began Jan. 14, 2026, the state legislature describes it as covering “Small renewable energy projects; agrivoltaics definition.”

We offer the following analysis based on a review of the bill text and include clarifying interpretations of its terms.

The bill defines “agrivoltaics” as intentionally co-locating agricultural operations with solar power generation, requiring that farm businesses remain viable, agricultural output continues throughout the duration of the solar system, and the primary income source is not displaced by the solar component. It also updates criteria for “small renewable energy project” status to recognize related interconnection assets and sets updated capacity limits for a range of sources including solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass, waste, and energy storage effective July 1, 2026. Virginia Cooperative Extension is tasked with forming an advisory panel to develop project eligibility guidelines for state grants, create monitoring plans for agrivoltaics projects, and recommend related permit or incentive strategies, with findings due by Nov. 1, 2026.

The House vote saw 62 Democrats join 4 Republicans in support, while 30 Republicans voted no.

In the Senate, 21 Democrats and 7 Republicans voted to pass the bill; 12 Republicans were opposed.

Del. John Chilton McAuliff (Democrat-30th District) sponsored the bill, alongside Del. Amy J. Laufer (Democrat-55th District), Del. Irene Shin (Democrat-8th District), and 13 other cosponsors.

McAuliff completed his studies at the University of Richmond in 2014.

He secured election in 2026 to the Virginia State House representing the 30th district, succeeding Geary Higgins.

Virginia’s legislative process begins when a member introduces a bill in either chamber, after which it may be assigned to committees, amended, and subjected to discussion before moving to floor votes in both the House of Delegates and Senate. Passage in both chambers sends the bill to the governor, who may sign, veto, or allow it to become law without signing. Annual sessions begin on the second Monday in January, with many bills introduced each year, though only some reach the final stages.

Information for this report was provided by the Virginia State House. Additional source data is available here.