SB340 - Agrivoltaics Definition for Small Renewable Energy Projects
Summary
Virginia Governor signed SB340 into law (Chapter 157), establishing a statutory definition of 'agrivoltaics' for small renewable energy projects. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and creates a formal category for projects combining solar energy generation with agricultural production on the same land.
What changed
Virginia has enacted SB340, which provides the first statutory definition of 'agrivoltaics' for small renewable energy projects under state law. The definition establishes criteria for projects that combine solar energy generation with agricultural production on the same parcel of land, creating a distinct regulatory category for these dual-use systems.
The practical effect for affected parties is significant: developers and landowners now have a clear statutory basis for pursuing agrivoltaic projects under Virginia's small renewable energy framework. This should streamline project development and financing for combined solar-agricultural installations, which have grown nationally as a method to maintain farmland use while generating renewable energy. Energy project developers and agricultural operations in Virginia should review the definition ahead of the July 1, 2026 effective date.
What to do next
- Energy developers should review the new agrivoltaics definition to determine eligibility for small renewable energy project classification
- Agricultural landowners considering solar installations should assess whether their projects qualify under the new definition
- Monitor Virginia regulatory updates for any permitting or compliance guidance related to the new definition
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Virginia / SB340 Signed by Governor SB340 Senate Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-06
Small renewable energy projects; agrivoltaics definition.
Small renewable energy projects; agrivoltaics definition. Provides a definition of "agrivoltaics" for the purposes of small renewable energy projects. This bill is identical to HB 508.
Bill Details
State Virginia
Session 2026 Regular Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB340
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Russet Perry (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-06 Approved by Governor-Chapter 157 (effective 7/1/2026) 2026-04-06 Approved by Governor-Chapter 157 (effective 7/1/2026) 2026-03-10 Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 2026-03-10 S Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 2026-03-02 S Signed by President 2026-03-02 H Signed by Speaker 2026-03-02 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB340) 2026-03-02 S Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB340ER) 2026-03-02 S Enrolled 2026-02-26 S House substitute agreed to by Senate (28-Y 12-N 0-A) 2026-02-24 H Passed House with substitute (68-Y 30-N 0-A) 2026-02-24 H Engrossed by House - committee substitute 2026-02-24 H committee substitute agreed to 2026-02-24 H Read third time 2026-02-23 H Read second time 2026-02-22 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB340) 2026-02-19 H Committee substitute printed 26108166D-H1 2026-02-19 H Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (15-Y 5-N) 2026-02-12 H Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce 2026-02-12 H Read first time 2026-02-12 H Placed on Calendar 2026-02-09 S Read third time and passed Senate (27-Y 13-N 0-A) 2026-02-09 S Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate 2026-02-09 S Read third time and passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A) 2026-02-06 S Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote) 2026-02-06 S Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Substitute agreed to 2026-02-06 S Read second time 2026-02-06 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB340) 2026-02-05 S Passed by for the day (Voice Vote) 2026-02-05 S Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-05 S Rules suspended 2026-02-04 S Committee substitute printed 26107004D-S1 2026-02-03 S Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (12-Y 2-N) 2026-02-03 S Senate committee offered 2026-01-28 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB340) 2026-01-13 S Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources 2026-01-13 S Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103616D
Votes
2026-02-05 Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 40 Nay: 0 2026-02-09 Read third time and passed Senate (25-Y 15-N 0-A) Yea: 25 Nay: 15 2026-02-09 Reconsideration of passage agreed to by Senate Yea: 40 Nay: 0 2026-02-09 Read third time and passed Senate (27-Y 13-N 0-A) Yea: 27 Nay: 13 2026-02-03 Reported from Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources with substitute (12-Y 2-N) Yea: 12 Nay: 2 2026-02-19 Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (15-Y 5-N) Yea: 15 Nay: 5 2026-02-24 Passed House with substitute (68-Y 30-N 0-A) Yea: 68 Nay: 30 2026-02-26 House substitute agreed to by Senate (28-Y 12-N 0-A) Yea: 28 Nay: 12
Committee Referrals
2026-01-13 S Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources 2026-02-12 H Labor and Commerce
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-13 Introduced 2026-02-03 Comm Sub 2026-02-04 Comm Sub 2026-02-19 Comm Sub 2026-03-02 Enrolled Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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