Industry Archives - SolUnesco Developoment

Virginia House Bill 206 Creates a Moratorium on Utility-scale Solar in Virginia

By Francis Hodsoll|2022-02-24T11:44:41-05:00February 24th, 2022|Industry|

By Francis Hodsoll, CEO SolUnesco With House Bill 206, the Virginia House of Delegates determined disturbing 10 acres of farmland or fifty acres of forestland constitutes a “significant adverse impact.” As a Virginia Utility-scale developer, I am confident that HB 206 – as passed out of the House – will place a moratorium on Utility-scale solar. Further, HB 206 creates precedence that should terrify other land uses. I cannot understand why we want legislators making determinations where there exists a

Solar is Hiring in Virginia

By Lea Maamari|2021-11-12T12:35:28-05:00November 12th, 2021|Industry, Workforce Development|

By the Randolph Solar Development Team Now launching its 7th cohort, the Solar Hands-On Instructional Network of Excellence (SHINE), is preparing Virginia residents for a major influx of solar and construction jobs, and pushing developers to hire locally. Virginia’s Solar Workforce Development Over a 2-day intensive curriculum, with both classroom and hands-on field instruction, students earn a certificate that gives them a competitive edge for not only solar jobs, but general construction positions as well. “Our students range in age from 19 to 50,” explains SHINE Executive Director, David Peterson. “They live in Prince

Randolph Solar Updates

By Lea Maamari|2021-11-05T09:04:53-04:00November 5th, 2021|Company Update, Industry, Land Use|

By the Randolph Solar Development Team In just a few months, the Randolph Solar project will take another step forward in its development, when our team will meet with the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission during public hearings. In the meantime, Randolph Solar has been working closely with our community to ensure the project will bring major tax and economic benefits while fitting seamlessly into the surrounding beauty of Charlotte County. Over 150 landowners are participating in the project with option agreements that will benefit their families, their land,

Randolph Solar will benefit Charlotte County and the local community

By Lea Maamari|2021-02-10T09:55:57-05:00February 2nd, 2021|Industry, Virginia Solar, Workforce Development|

By The Randolph Solar Development Team Increased tax revenue, hundreds of jobs and increased revenue to landowners – solar projects provide many direct and indirect economic benefits in a community. Here are just some benefits Randolph Solar, if approved, brings to the local community in Charlotte County: Increased local income during construction includes tens of millions spent on labor and materials. Indirect economic benefits during construction include workers spending money locally at restaurants, shops, conveniences stores, gas stations, etc. This

Building a Sustainable Future for Rural Communities

By Lea Maamari|2020-11-19T14:00:58-05:00November 19th, 2020|Company Update, Industry, Virginia Solar, Workforce Development|

By Francis Hodsoll and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. From September 15 through October 30, 2020, Tom Tom Foundation hosted the City Rising Summit, a virtual gathering of global changemakers whose sessions focused on creating sound solutions for community recovery and rebuilding after COVID-19. During Week 7, “The Small City Movement,” SolUnesco CEO Francis Hodsoll and Becky Campbell, Manager of Government Affairs at First Solar held a fire-side-chat. Together,

New Report Details Major Economic Impacts of Solar

By Lea Maamari|2020-02-20T11:46:02-05:00February 20th, 2020|Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

By Francis Hodsoll and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. Richmond-based Mangum Economics has just released an in-depth analysis of the the fiscal impact of utility-scale solar facilities over projects’ 35-year lifetime. The detailed report examines factors driving solar development and how Virginia localities are impacted. The surge in solar interest is notably reflected in the rise in megawatt hours generated. According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, solar facilities

SHINE Continues to Prepare the Next Generation of Solar Workers

By Lea Maamari|2019-12-23T09:52:03-05:00December 20th, 2019|Company Update, Construction, Industry, Virginia Solar, Workforce Development|

by Francis Hodsoll, Jon Hillis and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. Since 2018, The Solar Hands-on Instructional Network of Excellence (SHINE) has worked with Southside Virginia Community College and solar developers like SolUnesco to educate, train, and secure jobs for a new generation of solar workers. As Virginia commits legislatively to meeting ambitious renewable energy goals, and corporations like Microsoft are making major solar purchases in the state, SHINE

How SolUnesco Helped Launch SHINE, an Immersive Solar Training Program

By Lea Maamari|2019-12-05T16:19:14-05:00November 18th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Virginia Solar, Workforce Development|

by Francis Hodsoll, Jon Hillis and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. SHINE: Partnerships that Bridge Gaps The Solar Hands-On Instructional Network of Excellence (SHINE), is a public-private partnership dedicated to building innovative solar career pathways in Virginia. SHINE’s mission is to develop a qualified, diverse, equitable, and inclusive solar workforce, equip Virginians with the tools and knowledge to enter the solar sector, help solar developers and construction companies source

What Local Governments Need to Know about Sustainable Practices

By Lea Maamari|2019-07-09T12:58:53-04:00July 9th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Policy, Virginia Solar|

by Francis Hodsoll and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. At the 2019 SolSmart Virginia Local Government Solar Procurement Meeting on June 17, Francis Hodsoll joined five other presenters for a workshop focused on learning, sharing, and discussing solar procurement opportunities for local governments. Topics included green tariffs, non-utility procurement options, the market dynamics and the drivers of solar generation’s extraordinary growth, and examples of successful local government procurement. In his presentation, Hodsoll spoke to local governments eager to

Our State Legislature’s Role in a Clean Energy Future

By Lea Maamari|2019-05-29T12:57:32-04:00May 29th, 2019|Company Update, Industry, Land Use, Policy, Virginia Solar|

A Panel Presentation Recap from the 2019 Tom Tom Summit and Festival by Francis Hodsoll and Melody S. Gee Melody S. Gee is a business and technical writer in St. Louis, MO. This April, SolUnesco CEO, Francis Hodsoll, moderated and presented on a panel at the Tom Tom Summit and Festival in Charlottesville. This annual event brings together a diverse group of thought leaders to discuss a revitalized approach to civic life and community, and this year devoted an entire